What goes into, and comes out of BLACKYAK’s winning formula?

Julian Thomas is a freelance cinematographer based in Montreal, Canada. His passion for film and travel has led to many projects in various countries around the globe. Through his cinematography, he aims to produce documentary projects exploring different aspects of cultures and ways of life around the world.
What goes into, and comes out of BLACKYAK’s winning formula?

The Gold Standard

What goes into, and comes out of BLACKYAK’s winning formula?

Words: Guinness Rider, Altitude Sports writer

Altitude Sports’ Vice President of Marketing, Louis-Dominic Parizeau, went to Germany to visit BLACKYAK’s Development Centre and see the process that makes for their award-winning ski and alpine wear. He dropped in at the ISPO awards and saw the Korean brand take home yet another gold medal. Then he got to put the gear to the test during a ski day in the Austrian Alps. Follow along as we discover what goes into, and comes out of, BLACKYAK.

  • Munich Victory Gate, the Siegestor, was built, destroyed, rebuilt, and is now dedicated to peace.
    Munich's Victory Gate, the Siegestor, was built, destroyed, rebuilt, and is now dedicated to peace.
  • The BLACKYAK Development Centre is located in the Schwabing-Freimann district, one of Munich's most chic & avant-garde neighbourhoods.
    The BLACKYAK Development Centre is located in the Schwabing-Freimann district, one of Munich's most chic & avant-garde neighbourhoods.
  • The BLACKYAK Development Centre is located in the Schwabing-Freimann district, one of Munich's most chic & avant-garde neighbourhoods.
Youtube Video
Maximilian Nortz, Managing Director BLACKYAK Europe
Maximilian Nortz, Managing Director BLACKYAK Europe
“We started our development center to get closer to details, closer to athletes, closer to our partners.”
  • Thomas Deutschenbaur, Head of Technology and Training at BLACKYAK
    Thomas Deutschenbaur, Head of Technology and Training at BLACKYAK and all-around textile guru, shows Altitude Sports’ Louis-Dominic Parizeau the ins and outs of BLACKYAK production.
  • Thomas Deutschenbaur, Head of Technology and Training at BLACKYAK
Maximilian Nortz, Managing Director BLACKYAK Europe
“(At the Development Centre), we make first mock-ups on designs...and make our prototypes in-house…that we can deliver on time and on-quality.”
- Maximilian Nortz, Managing Director BLACKYAK Europe

ISPO Munich awards

Next stop: the ISPO Munich awards, a giant annual convention that showcases innovation and design for the upcoming season. BLACKYAK is no stranger to the podium here at the world’s largest outdoor gear and apparel event.

  • 18 football fields big, they say...ISPO Munich is nothing if not big. Inside, new products, ideas, and awards.
    18 football fields big, they say...ISPO Munich is nothing if not big. Inside, new products, ideas, and awards.
  • 18 football fields big, they say...ISPO Munich is nothing if not big. Inside, new products, ideas, and awards.
  • Another one for the trophy case—this time it's the Amrit BC pants, the ultimate in backcountry freeride pants, taking home the gold.
    Another one for the trophy case—this time it's the Amrit BC pants, the ultimate in backcountry freeride pants, taking home the gold.
  • Maximilian Nortz (Managing Director International Business) and Jun Suk Kang (CEO)—all smiles once again on awards night.
    Maximilian Nortz (Managing Director International Business) and Jun Suk Kang (CEO)—all smiles once again on awards night.

The Austrian Alps

All the R&D and awards are nice, but the real test is in the field—or, in this case, on the slopes. The Austrian Alps were next, to see what BLACKYAK’s new apparel could handle.

  • Hannes, our guide and professional snow-seeker, helps Louis-Dominic find the powder.
    Hannes, our guide and professional snow-seeker, helps Louis-Dominic find the powder.
  • Hannes, our guide and professional snow-seeker, helps Louis-Dominic find the powder.
    The snow was surprisingly light despite the unseasonably warm weather, leading to a playful work session.
  • Hannes sports the Rendena down jacket, which features overlapping down-filled chambers to reduce cold spots.
    Hannes sports the Rendena down jacket, which features overlapping down-filled chambers to reduce cold spots.
  • Kevlar, laser-cutting, RECCO avalanche sensors, GORE-TEX Pro...it’s hard to say what’s most impressive about the award-winning Amrit BC pants.
    Kevlar, laser-cutting, RECCO avalanche sensors, GORE-TEX Pro...it’s hard to say what’s most impressive about the award-winning Amrit BC pants.

    • Louis-Dominic's Barzona BC jacket is billed as the most advanced freeride jacket in the BLACKYAK family.
      Louis-Dominic's Barzona BC jacket is billed as the most advanced freeride jacket in the BLACKYAK family.
    • Louis-Dominic's Barzona BC jacket is billed as the most advanced freeride jacket in the BLACKYAK family.

    Drawing the BLACKYAK innovation curtain back revealed the importance of proximity in the location to the best engineering, design, athletes and testing environments. BLACKYAK makes the planet’s highest-regarded outerwear, trusted from the summit of Everest to the bottom of your local ski run. Check out the lineup of award-winning apparel and kit yourself out in the gold standard of outdoor winter sportswear.

    Brand Story BLACKYAK

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