New Zealand Snowsports Trade Show 1997

Christchurch New Zealand September 22nd to 24th.

9:30am N.Z.
Once a year the New Zealand Ski and Snowboard Industry gets together for a trade only show. It's here away from the public eye that our sport here in N.Z is controlled. Wholesalers display their latest offerings which we will eventually get to see in the shops next season. Deals are done left right and center and the stench of politics and business fills the air. But aside from this its also a huge social event with the who's who of N.Z snowboarding making a guest appearance to promote their sponsors product, and to suss out those hot new deals for next season.

For the first time ever the Boarder Zone has been able to go undercover at the show to bring you an inside view of what really happens behind closed doors and to sample some of the hot new products available for next winter.

Switch going for world domination:

The Switch boys (Jon and Elliot) were hovering over Vegie Meal Mates. The days of straps are over, well except for sexual purposes. With a few Euro sounding names (Gomez, Valencia and Axel Pro), new top secret design of the internal pivot (natural lateral movement), heaps of forward lean adjustment (ask anyone about the importance of forward lean), all in an Italian hand crafted boot (no Chinese slavery here). And the new Autolock 750 is definately new. Will Switch become the standard? Will the B1 ever appear? Will Jesus come back as a Oil millionare? I think thoses punks in San Franisco want it that way, especially with 15 or so boot companies licienced, Northwave Boots (huge Euro company) is the latest. Go Switch, world domination, hang on that's someone else's line.

Burton going for world domination:

With the days of working on closed days well behind them . BURTON NZ is differently taking snowboarding to the next level. Professionalism seems to be the theme behind the presentation and attitude behind this company. Higher Ground the agents for Burton in NZ is controlled by Guy Alty. Who is an established wholesaler in the industry for some time. "I'm living the dream with the theory of making more than the bills. A hard job in an industry that is so small on an international level. Unfortunately overheads never go down." The range is extensive and when you view it , all it makes you what to do go riding. Which of course is the idea of the product . By the way that's the best bit of the trade show , you get to try it at the On Snow Demo Day at MT HUTT on Thursday. Burton for 98 doesn't stop. It gets better by the year. Mine due there would be a problem if it didn't, HEY. Look out for the 98 Burton Line in the best Snowboard store near you.
Note from Guy. " Big call to the crew, you rule. Where's Allen."

Pam Bell & Fruition going for world domination:

The world will have to wait until May 1998 to check out the Fruition range of classic snowboard clothing that will blow their minds. New jackets: the Femme (yep, for those ruling ladies out there), General (for those that like to take command of the situation) and Techie (you guessed it, every technical feature under the sun) stoke out the existing Tightwad (for those that keep a tight hold on their wallet), City Slicker (keep warm on the slopes, and cool on the streets) and Bushie (you'll survive a night or few in the NZ bush in this super puffy number). New pants: the Femme (fitted for the lady in you) and General (commando pant) compliment the existing Trackie (cheap number). New vest: the Patrol (for the fisherman in you - a pocket for every occasion), to keep the Poseur (smart tailored number for the ladies) company. And two entirely new fleeces: the Fleece Jacket and Fleece Pullover. Finally, the extras: caps, beanies, and tees, complete with new super styly logo - it looks like the fast forward button on your antique cassette player!! And "fast forward" will be the goal when Pamela Bell hits the slopes in Europe in November, as the World Cup Snowboard Tour starts, and she makes her way to the Olympics in Japan in February.