Hey there. K2 has announced the new team members who'll be representing the new boot collection. We caught up with the K2 crew at the SIA show a few months ago. Check out the video of some of their new kit here. The boots look cool, albeit a little on the heavy side. We like the integration of the power strap and the buckle.
For the official word on the talent that they've roped in, read the press release below. Martin and Mike have spent a lot of time in the backcountry so we look forward to their continued input:
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K2 Skis Posts Final Team Roster to Represent New Ski Boot Collection
Top athletes play key role in the two and a half year development process of boot line
Seattle, Wash. (April 1, 2013) – The world’s leading ski manufacturer, K2 Skis, prides itself on a long history of aligning with the industry’s top athletes to represent the brand and its products. Remaining true and consistent to this key component of innovative product development, K2 Skis once again secures a team of the most influential and diverse industry pros to aptly represent the new 2013/14 K2 ski boot line.
“Working with our athletes has always been an integral part of K2’s product development process. They are constantly pushing the envelope of the sport and always looking for ways to improve the products they ride,” said Mike Gutt, K2’s Global Marketing Manager. “Our roster of K2 athletes is the highest caliber. They provide vital feedback during any development process, helping us innovate and create products that make skiing more fun for not only the industry’s top athletes, but for all levels of skiers.”
The K2 ski boot collection is the result of dedicated in-house marketing, sales, and product teams who worked in conjunction with athletes in each category to develop the line. Over the course of two and half years, between the first development meeting and the boots reaching the market, the committed crew has gone through countless hours of in-house development and dozens of on-snow tests to help drive research and development. The end result is a collection of all-mountain and freeride boots, reflecting not only the abilities and styles of the athletes involved, but also delivering the performance needs of any all-mountain skier.
The team of assembled K2 athletes brings a breadth of riding styles and influences that helped drive a well-rounded product development process. The team includes:
Mike Hattrup: A bona fide legend of the industry, Hattrup was involved with the K2 boot program since the inception. He’s been on the front end of every development discussion and on-snow test. His backcountry experience and wealth of knowledge helped drive the freeride design direction and development of the innovative Pinnacle Series’ Synchro Interlock− an easy-to-use and efficient release and locking system, delivering free-flexing walk performance as well as true, downhill, all-mountain boot performance.
Andy Mahre: Skiing is in Andy’s genes. Honing his skills at White Pass, Wash., Andy is a regular of K2’s Pacific Northwest homeland, charging any and all terrain possible. Andy’s versatility as a rider is invaluable to the K2 boot program; his feedback and insights are impactful across the entirety of the boot line.
Martin Volken: Martin’s years of experience as a guide and shop owner give him a wealth of knowledge, making him a vital member of the K2 boot team. Martin’s continual input and design feedback are invaluable attributes to the design and development of K2’s backcountry products.
JT Holmes: JT Holmes is a true professional and a great asset to the ski boot program. JT truly puts his gear to the test. His diversity of experience and ability to continually innovate the sport make him a perfect fit for K2 Ski Boots.
Pep Fujas: With top Powder Awards and X-Games career achievements, Pep has been one of the most influential K2 athletes to date. While he can hold his own in the competition arena, Pep is most at home filming in the backcountry, where his fluid style and innovative approach to skiing have helped define him as a fixture of the industry.
Reggie Crist: Reggie first honed his skills on the race hill where he built an impressive resume, which includes competing in the 1992 Winter Olympics. He was also the first Ski Cross athlete to win the X-Games twice (2002, 2005), helping pioneer the sport into what it is today.
Collin Collins: A relative newcomer to the K2 team, Collin brings refined park skills and a unique style to the biggest playground there is: the backcountry. Collin can be found hitting massive backcountry booters, slaying powder turns, or scouting his next cliff drop. Collin’s playground provides a valuable testing lab for K2’s ski boots.
The entire collection of all-mountain and freeride boots will be released at retailers for purchase this fall, along with K2’s new 2013/14 ski line.
