BOULDER - Head, one of the premier names in winter-sports equipment, is in the process of moving to one of the premier winter-sports destinations.

Head USA is relocating its winter-sports division to Boulder. The division's new home is a 5,995-square-foot space at 3125 Sterling Circle.

Head USA is part of Head NV, an Amsterdam-based sporting goods company. Head is best known for racket sports equipment and ski and snowboarding equipment.

Head USA is based in Norwalk, Connecticut, which was the former home of the winter sports division. The finance and logistics teams also are moving to Boulder.

The relocation puts Head in a better environment, said Jon Rucker, Head vice president for winter sports.

"Moving from what is essentially suburban New York to what we believe is the epicenter of the outdoor-sports and sporting-goods industries, and being near the mountains, is tremendous for us," Rucker said.

Head announced its move in January, and employees are just arriving in Boulder to set up the office, Rucker said. The company has yet to determine how many employees will be relocated to Boulder, and Rucker declined to offer an estimate. The office should be fully operational by February, Rucker said.

The relocation is a homecoming for Head, which had a facility in Boulder through the mid-1990s.

A desire to be closer to ski resorts was the driving force for the move, Rucker said. Being near the slopes will help Head test equipment and keep up to date on the needs of skiers and snowboarders and current trends, he said.

Money also is a factor. Head estimates about 20 percent of all U.S. "ski days" are in Colorado, Rucker said, and about 30 percent of the revenue generated by the industry is spent in the state.

Head looked at several other cities in a search process that took about a year, Rucker said. Among the reasons for its decision to move to Boulder are the city's quality of life and the possibility the company could receive business incentives.

Head has contacted the city about incentives but has yet to file an application, according to Liz Hanson, Boulder's economic vitality coordinator.

Chris Hansen of the Colorado Group Inc. represented the building's owner, Rocky Mountain Development LLC. Sam Brenner of Cushman and Wakefield represented Head, Rucker said.