SCARPA Tornado freeride ski boot named winner of European Ski Award

Cited as the first ski boot to offer compatibility with both downhill and alpine-touring ski bindings without having to change the sole, SCARPA’s Tornado was named 2006 winner of the ski-boot category in the annual European Ski Awards. The awards were announced in late January at the ISPO European outdoor trade show in Munich, Germany.

The European Ski Awards have been given out annually for the last four years at the ISPO show. They highlight the best products in eight winter categories offering innovation, function, quality, design, technical solutions, user friendliness and operability. The jury includes retailers, media and representatives of the International Ski Association (FIS).

Along with compatibility for different kinds of ski bindings, the Tornado was also recognized for its dual-injection construction that addresses the needs of both downhill, performance-oriented skiers and people who are touring or hiking to make descents outside a ski area.

“This real freeride boot is a mixture of touring ski and downhill boots,” according to the ISPO press release announcing the awards. “Their rigidity is optimized thanks to the selected plastic materials of varying strengths. And they are especially precise due to their clever buckling system. The special instep construction ensures a good fit and a high degree of flexibility. Rubber-lined insets at the heels and balls of the feet enable secure climbing and walking. The boots comply with the strict standards of the German Technical Control Board for downhill boots, and even enthusiastic downhill skiers find them attractive.”

Other winners of European Ski Award categories include the Fritschi Diamir Freeride Plus binding, noted for new technology that improves downhill performance, the Gore Windstopper Snowsport Jacket, noted for being twice as breathable as other comparable windproof pieces of clothing, and the Elan Speedwave series of skis, which offers technology cited for providing stability at high speeds as well as security on steep, icy ski runs while also reducing weight.

For more information about SCARPA, visit www.scarpa.com.

About SCARPA and SCARPA North America

Founded in 1938 in Asolo, Italy, SCARPA builds performance footwear for hiking, skiing, mountaineering, climbing, trail running and other outdoor pursuits from its headquarters in the Montebelluna region of the country. Manufacturer of the signature Terminator line of telemark skiing boots, SCARPA also makes premium hiking, trekking, trail-running and rock-climbing shoes, backcountry and alpine-touring ski boots, backpacking, mountaineering and ice-climbing boots, as well as a line of travel footwear. SCARPA is owned and operated by the Parisotto family, which has been involved with the company since 1956. In 2005, SCARPA opened a North American headquarters in Boulder, Colo., staffed and directed by veterans of the North American outdoor industry, to oversee sales and marketing in the U.S. and Canada.

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