Boarders' mecca opens on higher ground

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 542, 28 June 1994, Page 5 (Supplement)

Boarders' mecca opens on higher ground

Step into the Boarder's Attic upstairs at the Junction Ski Shop and be prepared to throw the English dictionary away. Simon Smuts-Kennedy, the resident specialist with four years snow boarding experience, including two seasons' instruction in Europe under French pro Gerrard Chabert, speaks the sport's rather unique language and can answer the queries of the most discerning snow board shopper. Indeed, shoppers are faced with a tough task when confronted with the Boarder's Attic' s mindboggling array of clothing and accessories, notto mention their range of boards, bindings and boots. The shop boasts both technical and fashion clothing in a variety of materials, and a range that combines the two, in 100% waterproof, wind-proof, breathable Hyprovent material. Labels such as Incision, DNA (Ohakune-designed and manufactured), Quincy, Kuta Line, Quicksilver, Fuct (don' t ask how it' s pronounced) and Hangers are just some of their lines. Included is a range of skier cross-over fashions, suitable for snow boarding and

conventional skiing. In the board department, forthe 'Jibbers' orfree-style boarders are a range of twintip boards; from F2' s ' Spinner', Nidecker's 'Trip', 'Crash Cross' and 'Pro Pipe', to 'Camille Brachet' - a must-have signature board. For free-riding on all terrain there's F2's 'Mad'; 'Argon', 'Pro-ride' and 'Freeway', to name a few. For Alpine riding, using hard plate bindings,' the Boarder's Attic stocks both symmetrical and asymmetrical boards that must be seen to be believed. Package deals of boards with bindings include the Rossignol free-style ($895), Alpine ($945) and Rossignol racers ($995). The Junction Ski Shop's service doesn' t stop at saies however. Downstairs in the workshop is their brandnew $15,000 Montana Snowboard Grinder that, according to Simon, can make the gliding surface perform as good as new, "and even better in some cases." The service extends to boot-fitting: eliminating heel lift, toe and heel drag, packing foot beds for an overall increase in perform-

ance and fit, and adjustment of strapping and back spoilers. For Alpine boarders there's also canting and packing'ef liners to ensure a comfortable fit. The Junction also stocks a range of rental boards that include Rossignol, Oxygen, Nidecker, Atomic, Burton and F2. Snowboard expert Simon Smuts-Kennedy discusses the merits of boarding.