Overview
Maybe you don't have the skiing chops to be the next Lindsey Vonn or Julia Mancuso, but you can look the part with high-fashion ski wear from Spyder. The official designer for the U.S. Ski Team makes a variety of jackets, pants and tops that will have you stylin' on the slopes and rockin' the look apres-ski.
History
David Jacobs, founder of Spyder, knows skiing. The former member of the Canadian National Ski Team was the 1957 Canadian National Downhill Champion. He began designing and manufacturing ski wear in 1978 after becoming frustrated by the lack of ski racing sweaters available for his sons, who were competing. The name Spyder came from one of the first ski pant designs, which racers dubbed spider pants because of a resemblance to spider legs. The company then adopted the black widow logo still used on all its gear. Though Spyder continues to maintain its focus on high-tech clothing for ski racing, fashion-forward skiers have adopted the gear for its cutting-edge designs.
Design
Spyder apparel stands out with the distinctive black widow logo as part of the garment's design. This lets everyone know you're wearing Spyder. Spyder jackets and pants often feature contrasting splashes of color along the seams, and up-market additions such as iPod ports, pass pockets, zip-out linings and snap on powder skirts. In May 2010, designer J.J. Collier took over as Spyder's vice president of design and merchandising. Formerly with Salomon and Ralph Lauren, Collier is expected to extend Spyder's focus on fashion.
Spyder at the Olympics
Spyder has supplied gear for the U.S. Ski team since 1989. You'll also see the Spyder logo on uniforms of the Canadian and Austrian teams. Spyder technology and design innovations such as "trip wire" seams that improve the aerodynamics of racing suits, helped Olympic and World Cup racers set new records in 1994. However, the International Olympic Committee banned use of this technology in 1997. Spyder's Olympic wear features bright colors and distinctive spiderweb designs, a departure from the solid color racing suits of decades past.
Venom
Spyder's newest line of ski wear as of 2011, Venom, targets the free-skiing community with gear that is both hip and high-tech. Venom pants, hoodies and parkas feature roomier cuts to allow for plenty of movement and hip graphics for both men and women. Even if you've never caught big air in the terrain park, you can live the lifestyle with Venom gear.
