although i don't wish to use this thread as another 9thward argument, it has already gone that direction so I will give my 2 cents on a few of the above statements.
Ninthward has shitty advertising?  I think the perferated cardboard "With Love From Ninthward" cards were by far THE BEST advertising i've seen.  I've never laughed so hard out of stoked-ness, not to mention gotten such use out of a ski advertisement.  But really though, they have an awesome creativity, and a little of that has been revealed, but i'm sure the best is yet to come.
Secondly and lastly, you know, the "bad" attitude of 9thward is very similar to that of Zephyr surfboards that became the first true skateboard company (Dogtown and Z Boys for those who don't know what i'm saying) Anyway, although Ninthward may not be the "best run" company, it certainly is stacked with talented skiing and some amazingly creative Ideas.  It is a little sad that the rest of the ski industry is scared enough of them to shun them out of the picture before they could really come into focus...