I've been having some thoughts about this business of choosing visually appealing skis, and maybe also thinking about getting skis that match boots and clothing. Sometimes visual appeal counts. Does it count with ski jacket and pants? How about skis and boots? Do you choose your binding color to look good with the ski's topsheet?
I've been indulging in some retail therapy lately, since I'm quarantined in the house with a never-stop case of Covid. I bought two new ski jackets - used and cheap - in a new color for me, turquoise. I want to be seen on the slopes so people won't run into me. My usual jacket color is black, which doesn't call attention to itself well, so this new color is a big change for me. I'm hoping people will see me and not run into me. I bought two jackets the same color, one large in case I am still the size I am right now once ski season starts, and one medium in case I'm smaller by then. The price was right.
I've also indulged in buying a matching duck-down puffy to go under these jackets, since the jackets are shells and in New England I will need extra warmth beyond what they provide. I've spent countless hours on ebay looking for just the right color puffy to go with the jackets, and have discovered that I can search for "duck down" successfully on ebay. Duck down is warm and light and thin, so it won't puff out the shells from beneath. Looking for the right color and style of puffy has been a ton of fun, and it helps me while away the time I'm stuck in the house. I can get lost in ebay's selections. So so many to choose from, and most sellers will significantly below asking price if I make an offer.
My point is that I do want my clothing to look a certain way. Aesthetics count. So now I'm wondering what color ski pants I want to go with those turquoise jackets. I have a lot of different sized black pants, but maybe I want mustard pants, or yellow, to go with that turquoise???? So many pants, so many colors, to choose from, all at below bargain basement prices ....
In the lodge these items of clothing will be seen, and I'll spend some time in the lodge when I ski. So I guess I'm not my only audience. But in the lodge the skis won't be seen, and on the slopes no one will be looking down at my skis as I am skiing.
But wait ... those topsheets do get stared at while riding the lift. Almost everybody stares at each other's skis on the lift, and skis can prompt interesting conversations on the way up. So should who they look be taken into consideration when choosing skis?
I don't think so. Not for me. Marketers use aesthetic appeal to sell skis, so clearly some people do make a purchase with topsheet in mind. But I would never, ever, choose skis or boots with a strong emphasis on how they look. I might choose bindings because of their color once I chose the type of binding I need. But skis and boots are highly functional pieces of gear. It's their function that counts, because it determines my safety and confidence and control and potential for skill building and fun on the snow. How visually interesting they are to the strangers sitting beside me on the lift is too temporary to think about.
but still give me endless joy), I might perhaps be persuaded to change my outfit to match a topsheet though esp if the existing outfit clashed horribly. A friend of ours handmakes ski's here in NZ (Kingswood Ski's) and you can choose your own topsheet from his selection. And lets not forget the success of Black Crows who's whole brand aesthetic is built around the colours of their topsheets.
