i didn't see tanner's mention of burton in the mage either or even him implying anything similar. but it's still an fun topic to think about.
i don't think burton would ever enter the ski market. i don't think they want to (i'm talking skis... not soft goods, we know that's already a fact). i don't think i know any more than the next guy about this, but i think i have enough close friends at all levels of that company to have an idea of whats going on.
pretty much, building skis with their name or another name would collapse the foundation which they stand on. it would hurt their board business 1000 times more than the new venture would benefit.
props to burton for sticking to their guns, but still finding room to adapt. we don't need them in the ski business (i say that as respectfully as possible) and no matter what snowboarders (and apparently some skiers) say about them being too corporate, which is true if you're only concerned with the idea of selling out, behind the scenes the big companies like burton keep the industry going. there are people making a lot of money off of the business, but they're still fueling snow-sport newbies, which keeps the whole industry going, and hopefully, one day, growing.
the only reason why i wish burton WOULD build skis, is that it would mean a ski job for me in burlington! that's my incoherent rant for the day.