Shred Like a Girl
A Tahoe based ski and snowboard company is expanding rapidly while promoting aggressive female skiing.
By Taliana Potts
It is no surprise that women are making their mark in the ski world. But the “shrink it and pink it” mentality has been dominating the ski industry, and one Tahoe local company is determined to change that. Several ski review websites, including skis.com and onthesnow.com said that women’s gear is not as aggressive and durable as men’s gear. That is exactly what is in mind when Coalition Snow designs their women specific skis and boards.
During this past winter season Coalition Snow expanded throughout the United States. They have ambassadors in 25 states across the country as well as New Zealand, Australia, and France. Their sales, which are placed online, ship all over the country and overseas. With the recent expansion of the company, Coalition has seen a great increase in sales.
There is already plenty of good intermediate gear for ladies on the market. However, consumer comments posted on powder.com show that several advanced skiers and riders switch to men’s gear after surpassing an intermediary level. The skis and boards are stiffer, more durable, and can handle variable conditions. With this in mind Coalition decided to design women’s gear that “doesn’t suck.” Instead of making a softer ski or board and calling it women’s gear, Coalition used the feedback they got from passionate and aggressive lady skiers to perfect their products.
“We started by asking women what they like about the ski they are on, and what they would want,” said Coalition Snow’s COO Jenn Sheridan.
Coalition Snow was formed in the fall of 2014. Founder Jen Gurecki noticed how often she had the same conversation with other women dedicated to skiing and riding. These conversations focused on the fact that women’s gear is watered down. When the idea of making a lady’s ski that provides the same performance as a men’s ski, Gurecki was determined to start the company.
The company received good reviews from their last year models as well as their 2016/17 line. According to Blister Gear Review, Coalition’s Abyss powder ski is one of the best women’s skis on the market. Many of Coalition’s buyers and team members are excited about the company’s progressive outlook on making women’s skis.
“The new Bliss powder ski is one of the most aggressive women’s skis I have used. I feel like I am able to charge the mountain and ski to my best ability,” said Sheridan
The 2016/17 line consists of five skis, and two snowboards. With the addition of a new team member, halfpipe skier Roz G, one of the new skis will be her pro model. The line includes a big mountain ski, a freestyle ski, a powder ski, an all-mountain ski, and a backcountry ski. Both of next winter’s snowboards are all mountain.
The majority of Coalition’s skis and boards are made with a birch wood core, and come in a wide range of sizes. There is usually a very limited length range when it comes to women’s skis and snowboards. So Coalition made their women’s skis as long as 180cm and their snowboards as long as 155cm.
“It is refreshing to have options as a girl snowboarder. I have been riding since I was 4 years old, and have bought men’s boards since I was 15. Coalition provides a board with stability, making me feel like I’m on a men’s snowboard that is my appropriate size,” said Hanna Grock, local Reno resident and consumer of Coalition gear.
With summer approaching, the design work for next season’s 2016/17 line has been sent to the company’s manufacturing factory located in Seattle, Washington. The sample products have been completed and tested. The production is starting now, and will continue for the duration of the summer.
“Actual production has just started, and we’ll expect to get our shipment probably in mid-fall,” said Sheridan.
