Italian sportswear brand Kappa signed a multi-year sponsorship with U.S. Ski & Snowboard to be the official technical apparel partner of the U.S. Ski Team. Kappa replaces Spyder, which had the ski team’s apparel deal for the past 33 years.
As part of the partnership, Kappa will outfit all teams with outerwear, speed and race suits beginning with the 2022/23 season and launch a fashion retail line to expand Kappa’s footprint in the U.S.
Kappa will outfit all U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes who compete in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy, the 2030 Olympic Games and give additional support for U.S. domestic and FIS World Cup events through the 2032 season, marking the first time an outerwear and race suit provider has outfitted U.S. teams.
The deal with Spyder, it did not include snowboarding athletes.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with an iconic brand that will enhance our team’s performance and style,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard president and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “The opportunity to have a single outerwear and race suit provider for all teams will allow us to streamline every aspect of this partnership to reach its fullest potential. In addition, Kappa’s Research and Development will provide U.S. athletes with significant technical advantages as they focus on next season, the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and beyond.”
Turin, Italy-based Kappa is owned by BasicNet SpA, an Italian company that owns clothing and apparel brands, including Robe di Kappa, Jesus Jeans, K-Way, Superga, Sabelt, Briko, and Sebago.
“We’re truly honored to start this long-term partnership with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard,” added Lorenzo Boglione, vice president of sales, BasicNet S.p.A, parent of Kappa. “For Kappa, this is a great opportunity and a wonderful comeback to sponsor an American national team, as we did from 1982 to 1988 with the USA Track and Field. We are very proud to dress these incredible athletes. Being together in the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics here in Italy will be amazing.”
In a separate statement, Spyder said it would focus on supporting the future of ski culture, including investing in the sport’s youth athletes, underrepresented communities and consumers.
Todd Hymel, CEO at Liberated Brands, Spyder’s core licensee, said, “Skiing has changed significantly over the last 33 years, and now it is time to take a more holistic approach. By shifting our focus back to grassroots programs and the communities that originally helped establish this brand, we will create a more inclusive future for Spyder. We are dedicated to investing in the next generation of ski culture through a myriad of initiatives that will be announced in the near term.”
Spyder said it would remain fully dedicated to supporting elite ski athletes with performance outerwear, apparel and accessories. Signature products will continue to be developed for ski teams and athletes worldwide with an ongoing drive to innovation across all Spyder products.
Brady Collings, GM at Spyder, added, “Our partnership with the U.S. Ski team will forever be part of Spyder’s history and heritage. We will always be rooting for Ski team athletes and continue our commitment to making Spyder the symbol of all things great about Skiing.
