YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST & GREATEST WINTER 2016 GEAR
THE GEAR YOU NEED
The new 2016 GLE Coupe. Break new ground.
Š 2016 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
PRACTICE Sporting Life staff live, breathe and experience products — before we put them on the shelves.
INTRO
what we preach
APPROACHING FOUR DECADES in the business of providing quality
merchandise with the highest level of customer service, we haven’t changed our core values from the day our doors first opened in 1979. Starting as a winter-only ski shop, we never intended to enter the fashion, merchandise and footwear markets. But as the world changed, we at Sporting Life evolved into a lifestyle retailer to provide great gear for our customers’ year-round interests. As part of providing the experience our customers expect, our buyers and floor staff stay way ahead of the game. They test product over and over before it hits the market, spending many a day taking countless runs on every ski and snowboard from every brand. “We’re committed to staying true to who we are,” said David Russell, President and co-owner of Sporting Life. “Attention to service continues to be the cornerstone of our business. The customer experience is what is important to us and keeps us ahead and what ties us together as a staff.” Our staff lives the brands that we sell. They ski every ski and ride every board that is on our floor, and that’s before they debate the ideal base structure and preferred edge bevel to be custom tuned by the state-of-theart Wintersteiger tuning machines. Our head boot fitter, Cam Powell, is widely sought after to design boots and consult on evolving technologies. The 2016 season products presented in this edition of Sporting Life Magazine have been run through the gears – and back again, over and over – so that we can guide customers through the buying decision based on passion, love of the sport and first-hand knowledge. Sporting Life President and co-owner David Russell (right) checking out the latest with Rossignol's Mario Guertin (left) at the SIA Snowshow in Denver, CO this past January
COVER CREDITS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: YOUR Y O GUIDE TO THE LAT LATEST & GREATEST WIN W WINTER 2016 GEAR
Salomon Quest Access Heat Ski Boots $549.99. Giro Range Helmet $319.99. Oakley Flight Deck XM Factory Pilot $240. Volkl RTM 86 Uvo Skis with Bindings $1,399.99.
THE GEAR YOU NEED
Burton Custom Twin Flying V Snowboard $629.99.
We’re committed to staying true to who we are. Attention to service continues to be the cornerstone of our business. SPORTING LIFE FW 2O16
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LATEST & GREATEST It seems that every year the industry is upping its game with design and technology, leaving gearheads salivating over the latest products to hit the market. Here are our buyers’ top ten picks of products that will make an impact this season.
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POC Auric Helmet $139.99. Developed in collaboration with POC team athlete Aaron Blunck, the POC Auric is lightweight and highly ventilated with a durable ABS shell and a multi-impact EPP liner.
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Salomon Quest Access Heat Ski Boots $549.99.
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Cold feet and external battery packs are a thing of the past. Guaranteed comfort and warmth for those who want to ski everywhere.
Women's Salomon Astra Skis with Bindings $649.99. The Astra is the result of Salomon’s exhaustive two year research and design process that has re-defined women’s all mountain skis. A lightweight construction that features a unique 3D Control frame for the best possible edge grip and Comfortech inserts for a smooth ride.
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Tecnica Mach1 130LV Ski Boot $699.99. Designed from the inside out, the Mach1 features the most anatomically shaped liner and shell to ensure unparalleled fit and performance.
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Oakley Flight Deck XM Factory Pilot Goggle $240.00. Inspired by the helmet visors of fighter pilots, Flight Deck™ has an unrivaled field of view with a wide range of helmet compatibility.
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Volkl RTM 86 Uvo Skis with Bindings $1399.99. Volkl’s legendary RTM all mountain series has a new star. The new 3D Ridge design lightens the ski and reduces swing weight, while a new rocker design adds power and versatility. Add Volkl’s proven UVO damping technology for supreme edge grip.
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Head Monster 88 Skis
$699.99. The Monster is back!
This Monster chews up and spits out any terrain that comes it’s way thanks to the inclusion of the planet’s strongest material, Graphene, and the perfect amount of rocker, rebound and radius (ERA 3.0). Don’t fear the Monster. Befriend the Monster.
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Giro Range Helmet with integrated GoPro mount $319.99. The new helmet design utilizes a 2-piece
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to create an adaptive fit helmet that literally forms to every rider’s head shape by expanding and contracting with the turn of a dial. Go-Pro ready so no need for additional mount to film all the action. Also shown: GoPro Hero 4 Silver Edition Camera $529.99.
Yes Optimistic
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Vokl V-Werks Code
Uvo Skis with Bindings $1599.99. How do you improve the Volkl Code? Set the V-Werks design wizards on
Snowboard $599.99.
it. Using the new
The YES Optimistic
3D Ridge design and
is a directional twin
carbon-titanal hybrid
with a whole heap of
construction, they
horsepower! Plenty
completely reworked it,
of lightweight pop
making it lighter and
wherever you’re
more versatile with
riding with the Poplar
improved control and
and Bamboo core,
dynamic performance.
Binding not shown
shell and integrated fit system
and camrock profile.
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Rossignol All-Track Pro 110W Ski Boots $599.99.
Head Super Joy Skis with bindings $749.99.
snow
DIVAS
With women’s participation being the fastest growing category in the market, the snow industry is paying attention.
With years of research and development using athletes, focus groups and testers, skis, boots and snowboards are being produced to give the ladies of the mountain maximum performance, comfort and enjoyment. 6 |
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Gnu Ladies Choice Snowboard $579.99.
Helmet $229.99.
WOMENS
Smith Vantage W
Oakley A-Frame 2.0 Goggle $170.
Giro Sheer Helmet $209.99.
SKIS FROM L TO R: Atomic Cloud Eleven XT Skis with Bindings $799.99. Volkl Essenza Chiara Skis with Bindings $899.99. Rossignol Temptation 84 Skis with Bindings $699.99.
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ALL MOUNTAIN
MOUNTAIN RANGERS Lange RX100 Ski Boots $499.99.
Salomon X-Drive 8.3 Skis with Bindings $799.99. Head Raw Instinct Ti Pro Skis with Bindings $799.99.
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Whether it’s ripping on the groomers, getting into the glades, or packing up your gear for the annual mountain ski vacation, your equipment is only limited by your imagination
.
POC Fovea Goggle $154.99.
POC Fornix Backcountry MIPS Helmet $229.99.
ALL mountain
With lightweight and intelligent designs, today’s all mountain equipment is built to take you anywhere on the mountain.
Oakley Airbrake Goggle $220.
Giro Nine MIPS Helmet $169.99.
Dalbello Panterra Ski Boots $549.99.
FROM L TO R: Volkl RTM 81 Skis with Bindings $1149.99. Rossignol Experience 88 Skis $649.99. Blizzard Brahma Skis $749.99. Rossignol Soul 7 Skis $749.99.
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customer SERVICE
SERVICE Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm. - SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE, English Poet
W
hen an iconic ski boot brand calls to ask for your assistance in developing a new ski boot that will help redefine the company, it’s a responsibility you don’t take lightly. That is exactly how our very own Cam Powell felt when Tecnica’s Stefano Mantegazza, World Wide Product Manager for Tecnica Ski Boots, asked him to be part of a design team and focus group whose work led to the development of the all new Tecnica Mach One LV. “It was a two year process with four separate sessions in North America and two sessions in Europe,” says Powell. “There were six of us from around the world that helped develop the boot from a boot fitter’s perspective.” The process wasn’t always smooth. “Conversations were heated at times as everyone around the table was so passionate, but in the end it was great to
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get more of a North American boot fitting perspective into a European manufactured product.” It is this type of expertise and passion that makes our service team the best in the marketplace. “Our philosophy has always been to have our service team work with the best athletes, teams and companies in the world and apply that same passion and expertise to every customer who walks through our doors” says Jerry Rynda, General Manager of our six Sporting Life locations. “Where else can you get a boot fitter like Cam Powell sitting in the head office of a boot company in Italy one day, helping design their newest product, then back in the store the next day helping a family get their boots fit for the ski season? Our team’s enthusiasm for sport is contagious and that gets picked up
by our customers.” It doesn’t end there. “We send our technicians all over the world,” says Rynda. “Collingwood service manager Bill Ford just recently came back from Europe where he was working with ski teams up on the glacier. In Ottawa, you can find Quebec Ski Team coach Chris Powers working in our shop sharing his expertise with our customers.” With each of our Sporting Life locations equipped with top of the line, innovative Wintersteiger ski and snowboard tuning machines, our customers are guaranteed to have their gear performing at its best. “It’s simple,” concludes Rynda. “We sell the best gear available, but we back it up with the right people and the latest and most innovative tuning equipment to ensure that your gear not only fits right, but keeps on performing in the years to come.”
" " Everything Junior needs to dream of going pro.
Smith Daredevil Goggle $49.99.
S R E P P I KID R Rossignol Hero 65
Lange Boys
Ski Boots
RSJ 60 Ski
$199.99.
Boots $159.99.
Lange Girls
Salomon Junior
Starlett 60 Ski
Quest Team
Boots $159.99.
70 Ski Boot $199.99.
Giro
POC Pocito
Launch
Skull Light
Helmet
Helmet
$89.99.
$139.99.
FROM L TO R: Rossignol Terrain Girls Skis with Bindings $219.99. Volkl RTM Junior Skis with Bindings $199.99. Volkl Ledge Junior Twintip Skis $199.99.
Junior Half Back Program 11 |
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Your kids grow but your budget
may return it at the end of the
doesn’t have to. Purchase any
season for a credit of half the
new junior ski or snowboard
value purchased to use for the
equipment package and you
following year. SPORTING SPORTINGLIFE LIFEFW FW2O16 2O16 |
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Salomon X-Pro 120
Salomon
Ski Boots
X-Max
$599.99.
100 CS Ski Boots
ON PISTE
$599.99.
POC Receptor Backcountry MIPS Helmet $284.99. Tecnica Mach One 110LV Ski Boots $499.99.
Giro Semi Goggle $109.99.
ON PISTE There is no greater sensation than carving on corduroy.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Rossignol Pursuit 700 Skis with Bindings $899.99. Blizzard G-Power FS Skis with Bindings $1,249.99. Volkl Code Speedwall S UVO Skis
Smith
with Bindings
Vantage
$1,249.99.
Helmet $229.99.
Rossignol All-Speed Elite 130 Ski Boots $699.99.
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RACER ready
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Volkl Racetiger Speedwall SL R Skis $874.99. Head Worldcup I.SL RD Skis $849.99. Rossignol Hero FIS SL Skis $829.99.
Rossignol Hero World Cup SI 130 Ski Boots $699.99.
Not only do we have the best race gear available, we back it up with world class race service. Leki World Cup Trigger S Venom SL Ski Poles $199.99.
Head Raptor 90 RSW Ski Boots $449.99.
Giro Sestriere Helmet $99.99.
POC Retina Big Goggle $169.99.
Lange RS 130 Ski Boots
Binding not shown
$699.99.
POC Skull Orbic X Helmet $219.99.
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RACING 14 |
e
Champions are built from the ground up, and Sporting Life is proud to support grassroots ski racing in Ontario & Quebec.
C
ommunity support has always been part of our philosophy at Sporting Life. Whether it’s supporting grassroots athletic activities or fundraising causes, being an advocate of athletics in the community we both work and play in is part of who we are. “We are skiers and we are snowboarders,” says John Roe, Director of Marketing and Advertising. “Because we are so passionate about these sports, it’s only a natural extension to support the young athletes that have dreams and aspirations to one day be the best in the world.” As a Platinum Sponsor of Alpine
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Ontario, The National Ski Academy and the National Capital Region, the provincial governing body of alpine ski racing, we not only provide resources that help fund the grassroots program, we also engage our staff in being part of the support structure. Our staff travel with teams, provide valuable onsite boot fitting and technical support, as well as work many of the races we support simply because our staff are fans of the sport. “Having Sporting Life as a sponsorship partner is fantastic,” says Scott Barrett, Executive Director of Alpine Ontario. “The resources they help provide are incredibly valuable to our athletes and
coaches, and there is nothing better than seeing Sporting Life staff out at a race on a sunny and cold weekend greeting athletes with a smile on their face.” While we love winter, our support doesn’t end there. Whether it’s the Sporting Life 10K Toronto raising millions for Camp Oochigeas, the Sporting Life 10K Ottawa raising funds for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, or our new partnership with Tennis Canada, we take pride supporting those who are part of the athletic community where we work and play.
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SNOWBOARDING
the art of
$449.99 Burton Process Off Axis Snowboard $499.99
Déjà Vu Snowboard $499.99 Burton Blunt Snowboard
Burton Custom Twin FV Snowboard $629.99 Burton
FROM L TO R: Burton Custom X Snowboard $749.99
SUPER WOMAN
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O
VER THE PAST FEW decades,
snowboarding has gone from being a rebel winter sport to having a solid spot on the main stage — especially after its debut at the 1998 Winter Olympics. Hugely instrumental in this transition are Jake and Donna Carpenter, the owners of Burton Snowboards. And, in addition to elevating the presence of the sport (and its equipment), Donna is also responsible for spearheading change for women in the workplace, championing conservation, and advocating for underprivileged kids. She’s a superwoman by any standard. Carpenter is an executive who makes guiding change her mission — and that’s rooted in a deep and driving passion for her work. Using just two words (one would be impossible), I would describe her as both limitless and proactive. She’s traveled — and lived — around the world. She’s done everything at Burton from building snowboards to expanding the company’s European presence to serving as CFO. And, she’s raised three sons, taking a 10-year hiatus from the workforce to do it. Now, in the role of president, Carpenter continues to expand her reach through initiatives in key developmental areas like sustainability and mentorship. Like we said,
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she’s making change happen across the board. She’s a sports enthusiast, business owner, mother, ESPNW Advisory Board member, creator of the Burton Girls community, and head of the Chill Foundation, a nonprofit mentoring program for underprivileged kids. She’s also a champion for women in a male-dominated sport and industry, starting inside her own company. Carpenter has created a range of programs to promote and retain women within Burton — from mentoring to offering a progressive postmaternity travel option for new moms — and she’s seen the company and its profits change positively because of a female presence at all levels. She’s helped increase the number of women in leadership positions (director level and above) from 10% to 40% since creating the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) 13 years ago. Plus, she’s a badass. You’ll catch her on the slopes on any given night or day, trying new moves as well as splitboarding (hiking up a mountain, clicking the board together, and snowboarding down). Which makes sense, because she’s fearless in and out of the boardroom. Her secret? Find something you’re passionate about and turn it into a career. “I’m convinced that snowboarding makes the world a better place,” she told me. And, we believe her.
Credit: Winnie Au
BURTON
Donna Burton Carpenter defines leadership in snowboarding
Burton
Anon M2
Genesis
Goggle
Snowboard
$279.99.
Binding $370.
Anon M3 Goggle $279.99.
N O I T A INNOV IS KEY
Burton Grom Boa Snowboard Boots $129.99.
Burton Ion Ltd Snowboard Boots $529.99.
Burton Ritual L.A.M.B. Snowboard Boots $299.99.
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Mission Smalls
Scribe Smalls Snowboard
Grom Boa
Snowboard
Binding $150.
Snowboard
BURTON KIDS
Binding $150.
KIDS JUST WANNA` HAVE FUN
Binding $110.
Junior Grom Boa Snowboard Boots $129.99.
Junior Amb Smalls Snowboard Boots $159.99.
Junior Zipline Boa Snowboard Boots $149.99.
FROM L TO R: Chicklet Snowboard $199.99. Feelgood Smalls Snowboard $299.99. Marvel Chopper Snowboard $219.99. Custom Smalls Snowboard $299.99.
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Burton Feelgood FV Snowboard $629.99.
Burton Custom Twin Flying V Snowboard $629.99.
Burton Process FV Snowboard $499.99.
boards of
AUTHORITY SPORTING LIFE FW 2O16
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