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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
Lining the far wall of the Icelantic AT Boards office are works of art that vaguely resemble skis. The office is largely empty as the Icelantic staff work to polish up the last of the renovations in their new building.
But empty space isn’t a problem for Icelantic founder Ben Anderson. An irrepressible grin and a shine in the 25-year-old’s eyes say he’s ready. Not only will he and his colleagues fill the space to the brim with their product – locally manufactured skis – but they will also be setting up to host Denver artists of all disciplines – just in time for the First Friday art walk along Santa Fe Drive in Denver.
Three years ago, five friends who grew up together began a dream buried deep in the high country of Evergreen. In 2003, Icelantic opened its doors and enjoyed immediate success as their ski production tripled by 2004 and doubled in 2005. Add that to the win in 2006 of the Brand New Award “Best Hard Good of the Year” at ispo, the world’s largest sporting goods trade show held each year in Munich and it’s not hard to see why Icelantic has raised a few eyebrows.
“The whole industry itself is buzzing about what we’re doing, but it just needs to relay over to the general public,” Anderson said.
Strategically-placed planks baring the same art as the skis displayed beside them showcase the Icelantic team’s unique sense of style. One ski, entitled “The Nomad,” depicts a traveler heading toward a hollow-eyed owl cast in vibrant blues and purples. Another fantasy-driven design takes the viewer back in time and into a swirling sky above the pilgrims’ ships as they prepare to land. These highly engaging images are the work of Icelantic’s head artist Travis Parr.
“We’re all real creative people and we just try to push it as hard as we can, and make sure other people can relate,” Anderson said.
“We saw a great opportunity moving to this district – with how art-driven our graphics are and the potential of displaying other people’s work also,” he added.
Sam Warren, a junior at Metro and the apparel manager for Icelantic, said he couldn’t ask for more when it comes to the people he works with and the overwhelming support from customers.
“The sky’s the limit,” Warren said. “The feedback we’ve been getting on these skis – it’s almost intimidating how much positive feedback we’ve gotten on the company.”
Icelantic plans to hit the slopes again this winter, offering free demos to spread the good word of their skis which are produced right here in Denver by Never Summer – one of the top five ski and snowboard manufacturers in the world, Anderson said.
“We really just want to get them out on the slopes, and get people on them so they believe in them, just like us,” he said.
Icelantic skis come with a two-year warranty to compliment their mid-range cost of $500-600. Anderson said with the warranty, quality and competitive price of the skis, costumers are getting quite a good run for their money.
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