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Show Cross Currents Page 12 November 7, 1997 Cross Currents November 7, 1 997 Written by Joshua Moore Photographed Nancy Richmond I The rule is simple: You are what you wear. where a the of can than this on more apparent skiing day slopes, be less about enjoying a gorgeous winter day and more about showing oil the hip new suit you just bought. But look closely at the skiers around you this winter, and you'll see more than just new clothes. Youll see an attitude. People in the Four Corners pride themselves on being different from the rest of America, and this difference includes ski fashion. While most skiers in America are snatching up brightly colored jackets that are covered with zippers, buckles and straps and have a huge brand name splashed across the front, people in the Four Corners want practical, basic clothing colored in either earth tones or simple black. Nowhere is In Durango, people are always looking for a deal, said Anne Esser, manager at Hassle Free Sports in Durango. Theyre not necessarily cheap, they just want to get a lot for their money. In general, locals spend more per visit than visitors, but they refuse to spend their money on gimmicks and logos. Alpine, or downhill, skiing is by far the most of all the winter sports. This makes sense, lift line provides plenty of opportusince a 1 nity to notice what the people around you are wearing. During the 1980s, alpine ski fashion became obsessed with DayGlo and neon colors, making the slopes look like a piece of abstract artwork. Luckily, DayGlo and neon are now out of style, giving way to more mellow primary colors. On the national ski fashion market, bright blues, reds and black are the colors for winter 1997-9although residents of the Four Corners again show their individuality in their color choices. People in the Four Corners still like the earth tones, said Esser. That can make it kind of tough to stock the store, since I have to balance the bright new' stuff with what the locals want. 1 uckilv, the earth tones were popular nationally List year, meaning that many locally popular items are now on sale in area shops. Also out of fashion are the bulky', insulated jackets that became popular in the late 1980s. Instead, skiers have turned to a more ersatile layering system, wearing fleece pullovers and shells over polypropylene long underwear. This allows skiers to bulk up for the but very chilly first tracks on the and then to remove a layer as the southwest slopes, heats sun up another warm afternoon. One slowly fading stereotype is that the hard-earn- ed fashion-c- onscious 8, much-cherish- . ed one-pie- ce Extreme skiers like Glen Plake still hate snow- siderably shorter and less predictable than it is in Vail Snowboarding, once the ultimate rebel winter boarders, she said. I think a lot of skiers think that or Summit County, sports enthusiasts have always searched for something to complement what for many sport, has now become popular with people of all snow boarders are rude. is their primary sports passion, cycling. It is for this Snowboard clothing is often sturdier than ski apparages. As they join the mainstream, however, knees and reinforced rear (if youve reason that Nordic, or elbows, are making an effort to keep the individualiel, with skiing and have become increasingly popular in recent ever tried snowboarding, you know that you spend a ty that has always characterized their sport. than alpine Hassle Free Sports, for example, opened a separate lot of time on your butt). While female snowboarders years. These sports arc less is similar their motion of and to cycling. snowboard shop named the Boarding Haus, rather in the past have always worn mens outfits, as the sport skiing, range have their Southwest In fashion, are true than mixing the snowboard equipment with the ski matures more w'omen-specifcyclists adapted styles appearing. fit needs the Nordic of said I to Its definitely getting more feminine," John cycling clothing skiing and gear. Its a whole different attitude, said Esser. think that snowboarders want to be separated, with Agnew, manager of the Boarding Haus. Youre seeing snowshoeing. I think the crossover is done mainly out of convetheir own clothing, accessories and hard goods. more shape and cut to the garments, with a much said Drew Bourey, owner of Bour The rebel roots of snowboarding have not com- more contoured fit." Some of the most popular mens nience, pletely disappeared from its clothing. According to outfits are by Sessions and Cappel, while popular Sportswear in Durango. People already have their Angela Martinelli, assistant manager at Zia Sporting womens brands include Bombshell and Cold As Ice, biking clothing, and ski season around here is usually Goods in Farmington, The grunge look is still in, A pair of waterproof and breathable pretty short. People dont usually go out and buy specific clothing for Nordic skiing unless theyre pretty most definitely. Baggy clothes with earth tones are still gloves is absolutely essential, since much of a time is spent adjusting snowy bindings or serious about it. He remarks that he sees as many really popular, although the younger kids want the people Nordic skiing at Hillcrest Golf Course in bike brushing off after a snowy crash. bright colors. CROSSING THE SNOW COUNTRY She remarks that although skiers and snowboarders clothing as he sees in specific ski clothes. is conthe Four Corners, where the ski season Until last year, one of the people you might have In are learning to share the slopes, some rivalries still seen Nordic skiing in his mountain-bik- e clothing was national mountain bike chamNed Overend, ski suit is a sure sign of a beginner skier. I think e theres a certain stereotype thats attached to suits that youre a goofball, said Esser. These suits are being worn by more and more extreme skiers, as their practicality quickly outweighs any fashion considerations. Besides, when youre bouncing down a mogul run like you a pro, who is going to call you a goofball? Brands such as North Face, n and Boulder Gear continue to lead the high-entechnical outerwear market, pairing bib pants with Gore-te- x jackets. Pants typically cost around $100, while a sturdy jacket runs between $150 and $200. Gloves, once little more than insulated bags for your hands, have also become technical, w'ith cuffs extending high on the forearm to cover wrists. You want a glove to be waterproof and breathable, said Esser. Otherwise your hand is going to be a big sweat ball and will freeze. Gloves range in price from a basic version costing about $30 to an advanced one with a removable liner for around $100. SNOWBOARD ATTIRE one-piec- snow-boarde- rs cross-countr- y, snow-boarde- rs si Alpine Skiing Apparel: ' - t M - ' I t ,, , 0 . Pandemonium, 1 r85 Skier Place (Purgatory Village), 235-211-8 t ii i iiBwinr ifrim . . , - er one-piec- e Nordic Skiing and Snowshoeing: 8 Pine Nee Mountaineering, 835 Main Ave.. Durango, 6 Gardenswartz Outdoors. 780 Main Ave., Durango, Eouri Sportswear, (available at sports stores everywhere), 9 . 259-669- 247-033- . of Bour Sportswear. I finally pion and suit last year, laughed got him into a the of He was one people who just used his Bourey. mountain bike stuff throughout the winter. Last year Overend, who has been actively Nordic skiing for only a few years, competed in the Birkebiner Race in Wisconsin and finished 141st an impressive finish in such a large competition. In addition to doing promotions, he is also one of Bourns most effective pan-own- 247-872- 259-818- 2 259-091- 3 . x - Snowboarding Apparel: , The Boarding Haus, 2607 Mam Ave., Durango, The Shred Shed, 105 E 7th St, Durango, 4 Farmington, if' six-ti- p Where to get it 385-218- ve high-qualit- y; ed 259-387- ng ic d, Hassle Free Sports, 2615 Mam Ave., Durango, Purgatory Spots, 1 0der Place (Purgatory Village), Zia Sporting Goods, 500 East Main, snow-shoei- gear-intensi- Helly-Hanse- often-expos- exist: - testers. Please see page 14 Page 13 |