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As the snowboarding population got older, Holly Smith manufacturers realized there was a market for clothing for the thirtysomethings and up. Their focus is for "mature women snowboarders," according to director of sales, Kim Dvorak. Their most developed line is the Starlet collection, called the Marilyn, Audrey, and Rita--apparel that matches their names with a combination of A-line style, Œ70's jackets, vests, and pants in colors like honeydew green and passion blue ($140-$160). Minx, Wave Rave's women's line, falls in-between fashion and function. It is the only company that somehow combines fur collars and other unique styling features like vent zips on Gore-Tex fabric coats and pants ($110-$340). Cold As Ice's Bikini Jacket is one of the coolest looking snowboard jackets this season, thanks to its long, silhouette-forming appeal. The colors are also worth mentioning: rumba red, melted butter, and lip-sync lime. Look for more women's snowboard apparel companies to copy the Bikini Jacket's style and colors next season. Roxy, from Quiksilver, came up with a truly unique outfit this season--the mechanic-looking one-piece suit called "Rosie the Riviter." It has arm venting systems, interior gaiters, and an extra long zip in the front to get in and out of it pretty easily ($200). Eden Basics' apparel stays with that So-California theme, complete with silver metallic piping.
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Yang pretty much maintained their Œ70's-style success. But thanks to the influence of pro rider and designer, Wendy Powell, Yang's women's line did add some technical features this season, including pit zips, hoods, and powder skirts in the jackets ($100-$239). Session's women's technical line, Summit, also stayed relatively the same. Which may a good thing since Sessions is one of two companies that have a license to use Gore-Tex fabrics ($289-$369). Big surprise this season was how technical and fashionable Betty Ride's Diva Series and Princess Parka became. The hood on the Princess is big enough to move around in for great peripheral visibility, but won't hide your face, plus it has a powder skirt and a Walkman pocket ($170). Their pants have internal snowcuffs, and 14" seam venting systems. Finally, Bonfire, which was purchased by the giant ski company, Salomon, last year, has bibs with snowcuffs and venting systems that fit a little bigger than most women's sizes. So if you're tall or size 12+, check it out. Also, their color scheme has improved since they added grape, rose, and peach--which gives the Bonfire women's collection a more feminine appeal than in the past ($280-$305). (Bonfire also offers a kids collection of apparel.)
