In an improbable turn, rock music this season meets the ski slopes. Marker Volkl USA, distributor of Marker bindings and Volkl skis, has teamed up with Gibson Guitars to “amp up” some rock star axes this winter. A Marker- and a Volkl-themed guitar will be auctioned in February for great causes.
The Marker guitar is a “freeride-inspired” Gibson Flying V model. It incorporates Marker’s “Rule the Mountain” logo. The proceeds from the guitar will benefit Shane McConkey’s family. (McConkey was a well-known pro freeskier who died in March while skiing in Italy.)
The Volkl guitar uses the company’s Gotama, a powder ski, as inspiration. The ski, which was redesigned for this year, displays the same Buddha-looking figure as the Les Paul Custom model Gibson guitar. Money raised from its sale will benefit Protect Our Winters, an organization that helps raise awareness of climate change.
Both guitars, which are the only two guitars of their kind in the world, will be auctioned off in mid- to late-February. www.volkl.com www.markerusa.com www.gibson.com
—Ryan Dionne