+1 This is right on.
I don't understand the distinction still. How are Salomon, K2, Rossignol, (insert big name brand here), not core?
From what I understand, these companies give plenty back to the skiing community, by offering the most sponsorships, hosting the most events, getting skiing the most publicity, getting the most people involved in our beautiful sport.
Salomon may be making some money but that doesn't mean that the guys don't love skiing. Salomon is not like a huge conglomerate or anything. It's a relatively small company that started making outerwear and then skis, and now has expanded SLIGHTLY. They have 2800 employees. Worldwide. That is fucking NOTHING.
So maybe they have 5, 6, 10 times as many people as other companies? They were there since the beginning, when skiing wasn't about making money, and now if they make a few bucks, I say more power to them. It's bullshit to say they aren't core. Where were all the current "core" companies when JF Cusson was winning the Big Air at the X Games in '99?
It is definitely bullshit to say that Salomon, K2, and Rossi aren't "core" because they make some money. More money = more sponsorships = more given back the skiing community. They are core as hell to me.