Snow gear has become so fashion forward that a trip to the slopes can be just as interesting for the people-watching as it is for the thrill-seeking.  Over the past few years, companies such as Burton and 686 have tapped young talent to bring graphic masterpieces to winter outerwear.  While fashion brands typically refer to global trends for inspiration, both of these companies have succeeded at risk-taking within trend categories for several seasons now- one of the many traits they share with their customer base.  “It’s fun to wear crazier colors when you’re on the slopes- you can border on obnoxious and get away with it,” says Kim Devall, a snowboarder from New York.  The above jackets by Burton and 686 exemplify a growing trend that fuses neons with photography.  Below are a few examples of other relevant trends within this season’s ski and snowboarding collections.

Plaid Gear: Smarty Marker Jacket, Army Caliber Glove and System Jacket.

Striped Gear: Shelter Jacket, Striped Burton Board, and Acc Fleet Jacket.

Camouflage Gear: Foreign Legion Boy’s Jacket, Fly Pant, and Arctic Jacket.

Mixed Media Gear: Times Famous Family Jacket and The Operator Board.