Everybody knows the freestyle ski industry is a tough market to break into… but why?
Is it because it’s over-saturated with brands?
Is it because a lot of freestyle skiers are poor and don’t have endless money to spend?
To be considered a “true” freeskier, I feel it’s important to know your roots.
So without further ado…let’s get nostalgic.
Siver had a good long run, producing high quality apparel that got people absolutely stoked.
Orage later purchased them in 2006, and their final run of clothing was in 2007.
Rumors have since popped up on NS and Freeskier about the company’s return.
Will it ever happen?
Eh… it’s basically like a snowball’s chance in hell.
If you still want some of their gear, GetBoards.com has some.
And yes, GetBoards will actually send it to you.
My brother bought some recently so I can vouch.
Aeryx Clothing
Fact of the matter here is that Aeryx looks really funny nowadays.
It was basically my dream to own some of their stuff.
Unfortunately, the company only lasted from 2006 - 2007, with Ian Cosco being their main rider.
Switch Gloves
Apparently Ian Cosco attracts companies that fade away, because he also rode for Switch Gloves.
Not a lot to say about this company.
They lasted from 2007-2010.
They never really had some great story or a mind-blowing amount of hype.
And despite what they said, they never did come back stronger than ever.
Jibij
Jibij Pro Shop was based in Boulder, CO, and open from 2004-2008.
So the shop faded away.
Rage Films
Rage Films isn’t out of business.
Their final ski movie, “Pretty Good”, was released in 2009.
So what are they doing now?
They’re in the big leagues, doing TV production for clients like NBC Sports.
And… one more thing.
Ian Cosco was a Rage Films rider.
Sublux Clothing
Sublux Clothing lasted mostly from 2003 to 2005.
The concept behind Sublux was pretty simple.
Dope clothing with hand-drawn designs.
Ambush Clothing
Ambush Clothing was started by Colton and Collin Wright in 2004.
Ahmet Dadali was their first rider and the guy they worked closest with.
Ambush also made those basketball jerseys that you could customize with your name on the back.
Remember when b-ball jerseys were the hottest things on the block?
Ambush was a well-supported company that has since faded away for financial reasons.
Since then, Collin has worked for Praxis Skis and has been making music.
Freeze
I could write about Freeze forever, but I’ll keep it short and sweet.
Freeze was a freestyle skiing magazine that ran from 1996 2005.
It played a HUGE role in building the early generations of freestyle skiers.
When Freeze Magazine started, freestyle skiers didn’t even use twin tipped skis.
When Freeze ended, Tom Wallisch wasn’t popular yet.
Safe to say Freeze Magazine is OG.
It seriously featured a lot of great content, like “Liftie of the Month” for example.
SMS Camps/Clothing
SMS stood for Smart Mogul Skiing, and they go WAY back – before Freeze even started.
SMS had two aspects to their business camps and clothing.
Today, you’ll know SMS Camp as Momentum Ski Camp in Whistler, BC.
As for their clothing side, it stopped being produced in 2009.
EC Headwear was truly baller.
And it grew like crazy, as Matt would later produce sunglasses, tees, hoodies, and gloves.
Matt and his company are still doing very well.
Crew, Urban Outfitters, and more.
