SIA Snow Show Preview by SnowSports Industries America (SIA)

PUBLISHED BY SNEWS EARLY JANUARY 2012

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE 2012 SIA SNOW SHOW

It’s Show Time! Energized industry heads for Denver Be Smart, Plan Now

The details are all inside: Everything you need to know for a successful SIA Snow Show.

Hardgoods Apparel Rock(er) Appeal Next season’s skis and boards bend it, while boots and bindings innovate, too.

For ’12-13, waterproof goes down, fabrics get green, and colors span the spectrum.

Abundant Accessories Helmets go beyond safety; new entries, venting, vision in goggles.

SALOMONFREESKI.COM

SIA Booth #4147

GUARDIAN 16 “This binding development included almost every Salomon freeride athlete, all across the globe, for multiple years. The result is the lowest, stiffest, most convenient backcountry binding on the market. It’s what you’d expect from Salomon: all the best downhill characteristics of an alpine binding with convenient hiking capability.” - Jean-Marc Ragot Head of Salomon Binding Development

The All New

S.I.A. Booth #3607

Key Features ANTI-FOG

NO-BS (No Blind Spot) TECHNOLOGY

FIT / COMFORT

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<adWVa Hcdl IZVb Devun Walsh - BC, Canada Zac Marben - Minneapolis, MN Dustin Craven - Vancouver, Canada Sage Kotsenburg - Park City, UT Ethan Deiss - Osceola, WI Nick Visconti – Truckee, CA Kevin Jones – El Dorado Hills, CA

CVi^dcVa Hcdl IZVb Andrew Brewer - Monument, CO Alek Oestreng - Rykkinn, Norway Johnny Lazz - North Lake Tahoe, CA Tim Eddy - Truckee, CA Niko Cioffi - Rutland, VT Red Gerard - Frisco, CO Alex Tank – Allgäu, Germany Arnette Dealer Service 888 708 8856 ©2012 Luxottica Group. All rights reserved.

/ TOC

Contents 6 IT’S SHOW TIME!

Everything you need to know about the 2012 SIA Snow Show.

10 APPAREL

Waterproof goes down, fabrics get green, colors expand.

26 SKI BINDINGS Tourable offerings explode.

28 HELMETS

Safety not only story in hot category.

38 EXHIBITOR EVENTS

16 SNOWBOARDS

Rocker with camber provides a lucrative mix.

18 SNOWBOARD BOOTS, BINDINGS

Stripped-down technology leads innovations.

20 SKIS

Get ready now for your Snow Show

30 GOGGLES

New entries plus better fit, venting, integration.

32 SUPPLIER Q&A Boa Technology CEO Gary Hammerslag.

34 DINING

Icelantic’s Winter on the Rocks, Riders Poll, RECLAIM.

40 SIA SEMINARS, EVENTS

Get educated, informed and entertained.

42 ON-SNOW

DEMO/SKI-RIDE FEST

Strong early sales, and more rocker to come.

Make plans now for a special meal during the Show.

Why you need to test on-snow after the Show.

24 SKI BOOTS

37 NEW EXHIBITORS

EXHIBITOR LIST

Innovative shells, hike-ski concept expands.

Arnette, Halti and Darn Tough.

Brands at the Show and On-Snow.

ON THE COVER: Clockwise from top left: Powderhorn Cosmic X-Press; Salomon Rockette 2; on-floor energy; K2 Photokinetic; Rome Mob Boss; Colorado Convention Center; Lange 130 XT; Arbor Abacus; at the On-Snow; Carrera Enigma.

Published by SNEWS and snewsnet.com EDITOR & PUBLISHER Andy Bigford MANAGING EDITOR Peter Kray ART DIRECTOR Jacqueline McCaffrey CONTRIBUTORS Eugene Buchanan, Krista Crabtree, Courtney Holden, Mike Horn ADVERTISING SALES Sharon Burson, Andy Bigford GROUP PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Barb Van Sickle PRODUCTION Diane Paolini / PREPRESS SPECIALIST Joy Kelley Read the digital version of the Snow Show Preview at snewsnet.com or snowsports.org Snow Show Preview is part of Active Interest Media’s Outdoor Group Jon Dorn, Vice President, Outdoor Group Michael Hodgson, President, SNEWS Matthew Bates, Design Director, Outdoor Group Active Interest Media 2520 55th St, Suite 210, Boulder, CO 80301 303.625.1600 CHAIRMAN & CEO Efrem Zimbalist III GROUP PUBLISHER & COO Andrew W. Clurman SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CFO Brian J. Sellstrom SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS Patricia B. Fox Copyright 2012 by Snow Show Preview

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

Welcome to the first SIA Snow Show Preview issue, a publication we’re looking forward to bringing you each year . Why publish a Pre-Show issue? W ell, it’s pretty simple–we wanted to provide a glimpse into the events, parties, people, products and excitement that will happen only at the SIA Snow Show (Jan. 26-29) and On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest (Jan. 30-31). We also know your time at the Show can be hectic, to say the least, so we’ve pulled together some great information to help you plan your time in Denver, Winter Park Resort and Devil’ s Thumb Ranch, to be more efﬁ cient and effective. The Snow Show is our industry’ s once-a-year chance to get together , get inspired, do business face to face, hang out with friends and head out on the mountain. In to day’s chaotic world, the relationships we forge at the Show are crucial to both the industry and our own personal success. Whether it’ s new or old friends, retailer to rep or brand management to company principals—these relationships keep our industry moving forward. One last thought--strength and vitality are built on collaboration, innovation and the undeniable passion we all share. This is your Show—and we, at SIA, look forward to working with you this season, seeing you at the Show, in the ﬁeld or on the mountain. Here’s to another La Niña winter, more SNOW and a great Show!

David Ingemie SIA President

Le voici, le premier numéro du SIA Snow Show, un magazine qui sortira chaque année avant le Show . Pourquoi publier avant le Show ? Rien de plus simple, nous voulions vous donner la chance de jeter un coup d’œil aux événements, aux partys, aux gens, aux pro duits et à l’enthousiasme uniques du SIA Snow Show (26 au 29 janvier) et du On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest (30 et 31 janvier). Comme vous aurez probablement l’impression de courir et de ne pas avoir assez de temps pour faire le tour de tous les kiosques au Show , nous avons rassemblé une avalanche d’informations utiles qui simpliﬁeront l’organisation de votre séjour à Denver, au Winter Park Resort et au Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Le Snow Show, c’est le seul rendez-vous annuel de l’industrie où vous faites le plein d’inspiration, faites des affaires en personne, passez du bon temps entre amis et attaquez les pentes de ski. À la vitesse à laquelle les jours, semaines, mois et années passent, les relations que vous forgez au Show sont vitales au succès de l’industrie et au succès de chacun. Que ce soit de nouvelles amitiés ou des amitiés de longue date, des relations avec les détaillants, représentants et gestionnaires de marque ou dirigeants de compagnie, les avancées de notre industrie passent d’abord et avant tout par ces relations. Une dernière chose : la force et la vitalité se construisent sur un fond de collaboration, d’innovation et de passion incontestable que nous partageons tous. Le Show, c’est pour vous. Et nous, le personnel de SIA, attendons avec impatience de pouvoir travailler à vos côtés et de vous voir au Show , sur le terrain ou la montagne cette saison. En nous souhaitant à tous un autre hiver de La Niña, plusieurs tempêtes de neige et un super Show.

David Ingemie SIA President

COVER PHOTOS BY DRESSEL-MARTIN PHOTOS (CONVENTION CENTER); CHRIS SCHNEIDER (2); COURTESY (7)

IN THIS ISSUE

ALL MOUNTAIN SERIES ELAN SKIS COLLECTION 2012/13

GLEN PLAKE NEVER SKIED GROOMERS. UNTIL NOW.

WORLD’S MOST AWARDED SKIS IN 2011/12.

WWW.ELANSKIS.COM

SIA SNOW SHOW

/ COVER STORY

SIA Snow Show prepped for big business in Denver Early season sales, product intros, on-snow demo fuel the buzz. Anticipation for the 2012 SIA Snow Show in Denver Jan. 26-29 has been building since June, when SnowSports Industries America announced that the show was sold out, with more than 900 brands set to fill more than 330,000 square feet of space at the Colorado Convention Center. Pre-registration among buyers skyrocketed through November, with a 14 percent increase in retail shops that haven’t attended the show in the past. Several longtime exhibitors made plans to celebrate their 25-, 50- and 75-year anniversaries, and Icelantic Skis announced it will use the show as a backdrop for the fi rst-ever winter concert at the iconic outdoor amphitheatre at Red Rocks. Then, when the outstanding early season snowsports sales results hit the streets, it officially lit the fuse. For retailers, reps and manufacturers alike, it’ s beginning to feel like this season’s annual industry pro duct intro, Fashion Show, networking extravaganza and On-Snow Demo/Ski Ride Fest can’t start soon enough. “Snowsports have a great vibe right now ,” says SIA Director of Research Kelly Davis. “From the North Face, REI and Red Bull ads I’ve been seeing on TV tying in to T ravis Rice’s The Art of Flight movie, to the way this year started with consumers fl ooding the early season Labor Day and Columbus Day sales, there is a lot of buzz around skiing and snowboarding, and it has helped the whole industry get off to a very fast start.” So fast that snowsports retail sales through October jumped 14 percent in dollars and 7 percent in units, up from $565 million in the beginning of the 2010-2011 season—which ended up setting a record mark of $3.3 billion in total sales—to $644 million this season. Outpacing the economy, and most other markets, the demand for new equipment has been a boon for specialty retailers in particular , where consumers have been hitting the shops early, buying must-have products at full price. “Our members have been very pleased with all of the promotions they did, from race night to pro night to swap and sell night to the BEWI Ski and Snowboard Expos, where most of the sales they made were on high ticket items,” says Steve Rogers, president of the Sports Specialists Limited (SSL) specialty retail buying group. “The economy has not been an issue this year, and the people who can afford to participate in our sport have been coming in early to get the good stuff.” According to SIA, specialty retail continues to dominate equipment sales, accounting for 70 percent of the early season hardgoo ds market, and almost 50 percent of all snowsports sales. Specialty sales reached $319 million, a new record for August to October , up 12 percent in dollars compared to the same period in 2010. In the same period, equipment sales in specialty shops increased 12 percent in units and 19 percent in dollars. And those sales have begun to paint a very interesting picture as to where the snowsports mar ket is headed next. “We’ve seen some interesting developing trends that we are watching, especially in how rocker technology is dominating snowboard sales, and how mixed camber and reverse camber ski sales have been absolutely on fi re so far this season,” Davis says. Early season reverse and mixed camber ski sales actually doubled compared to pre-season sales a year ago, moving 32,000 pairs off the retail fl oor. Fat skis also got in on the frenzy, with a 60 percent jump in units for boards with waist widths between 95mm-110mm. And rocker/reverse

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

A strong early retail vibe will meet must-see product on the Snow Show floor and at the On-Snow (below).

camber snowboard sales accounted for 70 percent of all the boards sold. But those sales haven’t just been at specialty, as online sales were up 12 percent in units and 19 percent in dollars during the same perio d, and chain store sales were up 10 percent in units and dollars as well. All of which should be music to the ears of snowboard manufactur ers such as Burton, Lib-T ech and Rome, who are intro ducing plenty of new rockered big mountain and freestyle-blended boards at the show this year. And also to ski manufacturers such as Salomon, RossiThe Dynafit team celebrates gnol and K2, who are expanding a second place finish in the their use of rocker in big mountain Uphill/Downhill Challenge. skis, but also in their frontside models. Apparel, which led all early season business with $222 million in sales, is set to debut plenty of new colors, styles and innovative designs, while the continually strong helmet market will look to beneﬁ t from added features aimed at giving retailers a deeper story to sell. And as far as those buyers are concerned, in one of the most welcome trends heading into the 2012 show, there should be plenty more of them on the ﬂoor this year, too.

That’s because just as early season sales were cranking up, specialty retailers were increasingly making plans to attend the show. In November, SIA was already reporting a 14 percent increase in the number of registered buyers who have not been to the show in the past. SIA President David Ingemie attributes the growth to the need to replenish inventories and see all the new technology in one place, and also to the momentum the industry has been able to build in Denver, where it is now hosting the show for the third straight year. “I keep hearing the same three or four things from people about Denver and the show—how much work they can get done, how the people are so friendly, that there are so many great The SIA Snow Show is the one place where you can restaurants and how easy it is to get see all the lines. outdoors,” Ingemie says. “I think what I would add to that is that the buying process is signiﬁcantly more difﬁcult now than it was even 10 years ago, and this really is the one place where you can see all of the lines, with every snowboard and every ski and jacket and helmet and goggle all in one place at once.” Bryce Phillips, founder of retailer Evo Gear , certainly agrees. “For Evo, SIA is a really important show because it gives us the opportunity to meet face to face with people integral to our business throughout the industry,” Phillips said. “I think that most would agree that so much of what we do and the key to success boils down to building strong relationships. SIA provides us with a great venue to do this each year.” Add in the tremendous number of seminars, industry events, parties and networking possibilities, the On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest at Winter Park Resort and Devil’s Thumb Ranch on Jan. 30 and 31, and an expected attendance of more than 19,000 suppliers, retailers, reps and athletes from around the world, and you’ve got the number one event for the snowsports industry to do business every year. —Peter Kray

“We’ve seen some interesting developing trends that we are watching, especially in how rocker technology is dominating snowboard sales, and how mixed camber and reverse camber ski sales have been absolutely on fire so far this season.”

PHOTOS BY CHRIS SCHNEIDER

Registration Info

Are you registered yet for the largest snowsports gathering of the year?

SIA has streamlined Snow Show registration this year, with new kiosks at the Colorado Convention Center for onsite badge pickup for all attendees. Only buyers who pre-registered before Jan. 6, 2011, will receive their badges in the mail. All other showgoers will be able to pick their badges up at the show. To pre-register now, go to www.siasnowshow.com, and review the following steps to ensure that everything goes smoothly: ›› Register each person individually and include their email address. ›› A confirmation number, sent via email, and valid photo ID are required for onsite pickup. ›› A new self-service badge printing area will serve your needs onsite.

snewsnet.com SNOW SHOW PREVIEW

SIA SNOW SHOW

/ FIRST PERSON

The Snow Show is where the wintersports industry does business Retailers, reps and manufacturers talk about why Denver matters. Tim Petrick

President, Rossignol North America Chairman of the Board, SIA All of us—vendors, retailers and reps—spend a bunch of time and money to attend the SIA Snow Show. Denver might be less expensive overall compared to V egas, but it’s still a pile of money, and it also consumes three to fi ve days of your time. Although the Denver show is a more pro ductive event (the bars do close at 2 a.m., compared to never in Las V egas), every stakeholder in this little industry has the right to ask WHY this old school, face-toface, national winter sports trade show needs to take place? From the vendors’ perspective, the SIA Snow Show is the most effi cient selling event of the year . During the course of the show , we’ll have the opportunity to communicate with about 80 percent of the country’s wintersports retail buying power. Combine this with an increasing number of key Canadian retailers, and you have a chance to see a very large percentage of North America’ s potential customers. Importantly, the trade show allows vendors to present their products in the most professional environment. The Snow Show is a vehicle to expose our pro ducts, our marketing stories and our training and promotional plans in a comprehensive manner . Regional events are an important part of this selling process, too, but there is no comparison in being able to see the breadth and the depth of all brands, big and small. This is clearly a major benefi t to the retail community, too. The SIA Snow Show provides the opportunity to see virtually all wintersports brands, legacy brands and newcomers alike, on a level playing field. There is no other event where retailers can see comprehensive presentations of what’s new and what’s hot in a more efficient manner. Combine these realities with the opportunity to meet with company principals and reps, and you have an event that is incredibly valuable to the retail community. Beyond these tangible benefi ts, perhaps the most important reason for the SIA Snow Show is the opportunity to rally around the “fl ag” of sliding on snow. This is the annual meeting of the Gravity Tribe: Reps, retailers, resort operators, vendors, and suppliers who have built their livings around this crazy idea of sliding down snow covered mountains. Each year we make the annual pilgrimage—for me, it’ s been more than 30 years—to do business and join with others who share the same spirit. For wintersports to endure and thrive, I think it is critical that we come together as an industry to reconfirm our membership in this very special fraternity.

“SIA is the definitive event for our industry—if you’re not present you’re just not on the map. It’s an irreplaceable opportunity to connect face to face with our retailers and partners. We’re especially stoked Beer? You’re in the right town. about the on-snow component. ” 8

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

Bob Olson

Owner, Viking Ski Shop, Chicago I don’t see how you can be successful in today’s snowsports retail climate and not be at the SIA Snow Show. It’s hands down the best show for seeing all of next year’s skis, snowboards, accessories and apparel. The pro ducts are displayed with all mo dels and colors (a must in clothing) in a bright, exciting show setting, which is critical for buyers to make smart buying decisions. You can meet the company principals, including sales, credit, marketing and customer service managers, and even touch base with fellow retailers. Since we all work closely in this industry, it’ s rewarding and helpful to know these people. It’s also important to get out of the shop (even when you know the work is piling up) and get re-energized about our sport and all it entails. Both the show and the On-Snow Demo/Ski Ride Fest (we usually bring six to 10 testers) are critical for Viking to stay on top of the latest and greatest in snowsports.

Bill Marolt

President, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association Our best in the world athletic success would not be possible if it weren’t for the many equipment suppliers and partners who support our athletes. The SIA Snow Show is the perfect marketplace for us to connect with partners—a who’s who gathering of our entire industry in Denver during the height of the ski and snowboarding season.

Lisa Branner

Co-owner, Venture Snowboards SIA is the deﬁ nitive event for our industry—if you’re not present you’re just not on the map. It’s an irreplaceable opportunity to connect face to face with our retailers and partners. We’re especially stoked about the on-snow component since it gives our retailers a chance to try before they buy and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for our line.

Marty Carrigan

Founder, Global Sales Guys SIA creates a contagious professional excitement for why we all chose to be in the winter sport business, it is the most important week of the year for our business.

Every YEAR SINCE

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01.26 - 29, 2012 COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER, DENVER, CO

ON-SNOW DEMO / SKI-RIDE FEST: 01.30 - 31, 2012 WINTER PARK RESORT/DEVIL’S THUMB RANCH, CO

TOP TRENDS

/ APPAREL

Early apparel sales strong, but higher costs loom

For ‘12-13, waterproof goes down, fabrics get green, colors span the spectrum. In a market where Mother Nature plays a lead role in sales, record snowfall and resort visits in 2011 helped carry the momentum for apparel into this season. “The industry is in a much healthier place coming out of last winter,” says Patagonia Snow Director, Tyler LaMotte. “There is less carry-over product out there, which should lengthen the full-price selling window at retail. The market is faring better than other industries during this time of economic uncertainty.” But if there is a dark lining to those beautiful storm clouds, it’s because many of the larger apparel companies are facing increases in material and labor costs, which will continue to affect retail pricing in terms of higher prices and less units sold. According to LaMotte, that also means customers are going to be more particular about their choices, looking to brands they feel they can trust with the right value, quality and performance. “It will be interesting to see how the market players will react to rising pro duction and transportation costs and other supply chain challenges,” says Urs Egli, Oakley’s global category manager for technical outer wear. “On-time deliveries and great sell-through in the fall of 2011 will help greatly to maintain growth rate in fall ‘12.” Even with economic uncertainty and warm temperatures in some parts of the country, early season sales have been positive. In resort towns and metro areas, jackets with price tags upwards of $1,000 are hot ticket items. “Even though it’s early season, high-end technical pieces are selling,” says Michaela Beitzel, co-owner and softgoods buyer for N ew Y ork’s Hickory and T weed Shop. “They may have initial sticker shock, but people are willing to invest in high-quality, functional outerwear.” Waterproof and breathable outerwear top the hot trends list for ‘12-13, buoyed by the wave of sidecountry interest driven by resort skiers and snowboarders who ride out-of-bounds and require clothes that can handle harsh weather conditions yet offer mobility and freedom of movement as well. T o that end, Gore-Tex continues to dominate as the must-have ingredient in many top-ofthe-line jackets and pants, and is partnering with more emerging apparel companies such asArmada to reach the younger market as it grows. Patagonia uses Gore-Tex Pro fabric in its ﬂagship Pow Slayer Jacket and bibs. Outdoor Research’s Vanguard collection is a sidecountry-focused new collection with 30 new pieces, which includes a four-way stretch softshell fabric with waterproof GoreTex construction. Arc’teryx, in conjunction with Gore, developed a new fabric called N80p-X, a durable, highdensity fabric with a water repellent surface, which will

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

appear in pieces including the signature Alpha SV Jacket. And Oakley, with feedback from Seth Morrison and other athletes, adds Gore-T ex Pro 3-layer fabrication, known for its breathability , waterprooﬁ ng and abrasion

resistance, to the new Uniﬁ cation Pro jacket and pants. Companies such as The North Face, Flylow and Mountain Hardwear continue to use proprietary waterproof/ breathable technologies as well.

Obermeyer Ketchikan

▼ Special Blend Blow

▼ Arc’teryx Aphix Hoody

TOP TRENDS

/ APPAREL

Look for these trends at the 2012 SIA Snow Show ›› Retailers can expect to see new apparel lines from estab-

lished hardgoods companies at the show this year. Dynafit, for example, is introducing a new line of apparel to refl ect its backcountry heritage. This includes a hybrid insulation jacket, combining the insulation properties of PrimaLoft with the stretch of softshell under the arms, and a focus on freedom of movement that reflects the relaxed fit found in many technical outerwear pieces being intro duced at the show. Another category crossover comes from accessories powerhouse Dakine, which is launching an outerwear line designed to appeal to both skiers and snowboarders. ›› Puffy jackets are still hot at retail, but the hottest

▲ Powderhorn COSMIC X-PRESS

▲ KJUS Lava

▲ Dynafit Patroul

▲ Helly Hansen Odin Hooded Belay

▲ Outdoor Research Vanguard

news for next season is that down jackets get a water proof exterior. Powderhorn introduces a 4-way stretch Gore-Tex shell material on the outside with down ﬁll in jackets like the Powderride and Soulride. KJUS brings Quix Down to their line in a DWR-treated down jacket for water repellency. ›› Sustainability, blends of materials and palpable textures will continue to be a topic of conversation in fabric. Burton goes green next year by joining forces with Mountain Dew to combat plastic waste in the new GMP (Green Mountain Project). Outerwear in the line will feature fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, with Thinsulate for insulation. Obermeyer expands its use of Cocona (or coconut based) waterproof/breathable fabrics from baselayers to jacket and pant linings for increased breathability. ›› Look for innovative insulation in outerwear pieces at

the show. Scott includes Primaloft Eco insulation, made out of post-consumer recycled material, to the new Belmont and Cambie jackets. As one of the largest providers of uniforms for pros like ski patrollers and instructors, Helly Hansen uses waterproof/breathable PrimaLoft One in jackets like the new Odin Isolator for its high warmthto-weight ratio. Foursquare introduces a 3-in-1 layering technology, called Squared System, combining fully integrated jackets with insulating layers to their line. ›› Athlete participation remains a top priority for youthdriven pieces and signature collections are poplar next season, particularly with snowboard brands. O’Neill’s snowboard stars Celia Miller, Seb Toots and Jeremy Jones introduce new pieces to their lines, as does T anner Hall and Simon Dumont with Oakley.

›› Fresh bright colors will dominate the racks and the slopes next season as well as the runway of the SIA Fashion Show. Early 2011 accounts show that colorful pants are selling like hot cakes—not just to youth but ▲ Burton Eleanor to Baby Boomers as well, surprising many retailers. Even (Green Mountain Project) companies that have been traditionally conservative are bringing a bounty of colors to their lines. Fashion forward brands continue to add fur and faux fur and embellishments to functional fabrics, such as Sunice’s addition of

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

▲ Polarmax Xtrdry Zip Mock

▲ Patagonia Pow Slayer

速

Innovation X 75 yrs = Hestra We continue to perfect the formula...

Introducing: A patented design that makes it possible to sew gloves with different levels of pre-curved fingers for optimal grip. ErgoGrip速 creates a very close fit on the palm, with minimal excess material. Featured on 3 NEW MODELS for 2012.

Visit Hestra at SIA Booth 2160.

Spring ErgoGrip

Downhill Comp ErgoGrip

速

ErgoGrip Freeride scan / visit / friend hestragloves.com

TOP TRENDS

/ APPAREL

silicone to zippers and piping and a high-polished shiny nickel logo in women’ s jackets. “The industry has shifted back to a resurgence in specialty retail emphasis, which has promoted fashion and innovation,” says Grace Galdi, VP Design & Merchandising for Sunice. Long jackets are the rage in both urban areas and resorts, exemplified by Rossignol Apparel’s Lana Long Down Jacket with removable fur trim on the hood. ›› In an effort to help retailers educate consumers about staying warm and dry underneath

their outerlayers, Polartec will promote a new “Layer Up” campaign. Underlayers continue to enjoy more attention with new prints, styles and whimsical designs by companies like Hot Chillys. SmartWool adds more color next season and showcases a technology Icelandic Design called PhD Smartloft, which combines Merino wool with quilted nylon. T echnical lifestyle pieces will dominate the apparel booths at the show, and a plethora of snowboard and ski apparel companies increase their units of hoo dies, technical flannel shirts and pullovers. Polarmax will intro duce a proprietary performance wicking cotton called Xtrdry. ›› Sweaters are a popular slope-to-street

look next season and companies like Icelandic Design and Neve capitalize on bold patterns and vintage looks. Dale of Nor way’s water and stain repellent yarn and breathable windproof liner adds a jacket personality to a retro sweater look. Icebreaker’s new water resistant Realfleece 320 adds an ecologically clean finish to Merino wool to make it water resistant. —Krista Crabtree

Save the date

Snow Fashion + Trends Show

See the new 2012/13 Collection at: Outdoor Retailer Winter Market: Booth 18043 SIA Snow Show: Booth 773

Mark your calendar for SIA’s Snow Fashion + Trends Show on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. While a live DJ sets the mood, multimedia video projections of old school photography (think Hipstamatic) provide a dramatic backdrop as professionally styled models work the catwalk in next season’s snow fashions, gear and accessories. Doors open in the Mile High Ballroom of the Colorado Convention Center at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 6:30 p.m. Cocktails, sounds and style make this a premiere evening for the snowsports industry. “It’s a perfect way for retailers to have an overview of what is being offered for the coming season; a quick look at colors and style directions; and maybe seeing a new supplier they have not looked at before,” says Philip Dixon, president of Liquid Boardwear. Immediately following the show, the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC) dares the men to don women’s outdoor and snowsports apparel and gear, put on some feather boas and bright red lipstick and RAMP IT UP. Notable industry veterans will take over the runway in women’s snow sports clothing, calling attention to member brands and raising funds for OIWC educational programs designed to help women in the industry reach their professional goals.

www.daleofnorway.com Customer service: (800) 441-3253 14

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

TOP TRENDS

/ SNOWBOARDS

Rocker continues to ratchet up snowboard sales

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

Agent, Arbor’ s Abacus, and Venture’s Euphoria. K2 brings a whole new Backside collection to the show, featuring three new powder -shaped mo dels including the Peace Keeper, Ultra Dream and High Lite. Burton is also launching a new board series called Family Tree for 2012, according to Scott Barbieri, vice president of hardgoods, who says, “Driven by Terje Haa-

▲ Burton Family Tree

▲ Rossignol Templar-Magtek

▲ Rome Crossrocket

Who would have imagined a little bend would go such a long way? According to manufacturers, the new wave of hybrid rocker/camber boards continues to gain momentum and drive significant sales. Says Arbor’s Brad Farmer, “The most obvious force shaping board sales is the undeniable onslaught of the rocker revolution. From a retail perspective, without a full and complete rocker offering you’re certainly leaving sales on the table. Retailers want rocker.” And so do kids, according to Farmer, who adds that Arbor is entering the youth market for the first time with mini versions of its best selling Draft and Element RX boards. Dan Sullivan, Rome’s director of sales, says he is seeing the same trends in technology . “In snowboards, we are seeing ‘hybrid’ cambers checking out at retail,” says Sullivan. “Our Mountain Pop camber, which uses a blend of positive camber between the feet and reverse camber in the tip and tail in our Agent Rocker , Reverb Rocker and Factory Rocker, is what we are selling briskly.” Fresh and redesigned iterations of rocker/camber will continue to be a big story on the show fl oor this year , with brands putting their own style—and monikers—on the technology. Ride’s new Hybrid LowRise debuts in the Machete GT, Rome’s NoHang-UpsRocker is unveiled in the Crossrocket, and Burton’s Flat Top will be incorporated in the women’s Lip-Stick LTD. Lib Tech introduces a new camber-heavy Banana Technology called C3 in the Phoenix Classic, while sister -brand Gnu adds two highpower sticks to its women’s line—the Ladies Choice and B Pro Pendleton. According to Ron Steele, Rossignol’s vice president of sales and marketing, “Snowboard sales are trending toward the newest and most compelling rocker and technology developments.” On-snow versatility paired with fresh technology is represented in Rossignol’ s new Templar Magtek, designed as an easy-to-ride, do-it-all board. Producing one board that does it all certainly seems to be a popular strategy this year , as Flow’s new Rush features what the brand is calling A.B.T . tech, which is designed to adapt on the fl y to all snow conditions and terrain. Likewise, Forum is advertising its new The Kitchen Sink as the most versatile freestyle board the brand has ever made, and Academy’ s new Icon Series delivers the latest rocker tech in an affordable package for $329. Backcountry and freeride also continue to gain steam, and several manufacturers will introduce new splitboards at the show , including Burton’ s Spliff, Rome’ s Double

▲ Arbor Abacus

Manufacturers mix in camber for versatility, control.

konsen, Family T ree is a true freeride quiver series designed by our team —it will be the collection within the line that continues to innovate and evolve our freeride shapes year over year .” The Family T ree features ﬁ ve board mo dels, including the new Spliff splitboard and Cheetah models. —Mike Horn

“From a retail perspective, without a full and complete rocker offering you’re certainly leaving sales on the table. Retailers want rocker.”

TOP TRENDS

/ SNOWBOARD BOOTS & BINDINGS

Stripped down technology highlights boot and binding innovations Lighter weights, ease of use lead list of sales-friendly features. Maximizing the feel of the board beneath a rider’s feet, new lightweight and responsive materials, adjustable canting and on-the-ﬂ y function are at the forefront of 2012-13 binding innovations being intro duced at the SIA Snow Show this year. To make getting in and out of their bindings even faster, Flow has redesigned the brand’ s SpeedEntry system in the new NX2 binding line, including the NX2-SE model. Both Ride and Burton introduce new highback tech—Ride’s Slimeback, found in the revamped Revolt, is derived from its storied Slimewall sidewalls, which uti-

“Customization is becoming an increasingly important factor at retail. We don’t dictate one canting option; we offer several canting options in varying degrees.”

lize urethane for cushioning and control. According to Ride Binding Engineer Peter Pontano, “Compared to a standard nylon highback, which is inherently snappy and active, the Slimeback material provides an inherently smooth, consistent flex for a fluid and damp ride.” For its part, Burton mo dified its Heel Hammock highback design to fi ne-tune the suspension in the new Genesis and women’ s Escapade (EST and 3D mo dels). Burton is also intro ducing a new buckle system called Smackdown, which allows a rider to get in and out of a toe strap with one swift motion, and no more ratcheting to fi ne tune the fi t. Likewise, Salomon is intro ducing the high-performance Shadow line at the Snow Show , featuring the new ultralight Hologram and District bindings. For consumers who want to dial in their fi t and riding style, Rome offers multiple canting options throughout the binding line, and Director of Sales Dan Sullivan says customization is becoming an increasingly important factor at retail. “W e don’ t dictate one canting option; we offer several canting in varying Sullivan g options p y g degrees,” g

said, “thus allowing riders to experiment and fi nd their own desired canting option.” In boots, comfort, new, ever-faster lacing technology and reduced boot volume and weight are the dominant innovations for next year’ s lineups. Boa technology continues to be refi ned and integrated into hybrid lacing designs like Van’s new Infuse and Revere mo dels. Vincent Connolly , global category manager for Boa Technology, says, “Many of our forward thinking boot partners are utilizing our closure system in more hybrid confi gurations, so you’ll see more Lace/V elcro/Boa Combo boots in the marketplace to address the needs of each segment.” Other Boa partnerships include the Burton Ion x Pirelli Collab, which yields a new boot with a snow tire-inspired tread and outsole. And Ride’ s recent signing of freestyle phenom Seb Toutant, will result in the new Triad Speed Lace Boot, while K2’ s Contour, Gretchen Bleiler’ s boot of choice, returns with Double Boa lacing and fine-tuned liners for optimal heelfit and warmth. —Mike Horn

▼ Flow NX2

▼ Rome Mob Boss

▼ Ride Revolt

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

▼ K2 Contour

▼ Vans Revere Boa

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TOP TRENDS

/ SKIS

Early sell-through opens doors for another banner year

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

the expansion of its innovative BBR line in the BBR 10.0 (145/97/110) and women’ s BBR Sunlite (133/79/98), with a Lite Density Core for ease of use. The Rocker line is also expanded with the Rocker2 115 (139/115/131), which features Twin Rocker and Honeycomb tip and tail inserts, and the well-named new big mountain women’ s ski collection, the Rockettes. “W e’ve really focused on the opportunities we see for innovation in women’ s skis, especially with our new all-mountain freeski collection,” says Jenny Naftulin, Salomon alpine brand manager. Atomic, which is intro ducing a new tourable binding in conjunction with Salomon at the show , is also build-

▲ Blizzard Magnum

▲ Nordica Transfire

▲ Volkl RTM V-Werks

▲ K2 Bolt

▲ Salomon Rockette 2

▲ Rossignol Super 7

The ongoing phenomena of cleaner inventories and early sell-through at specialty retail—with some vector products in scarce supply as early as Thanksgiving—continues to clear shelf space for new ski designs. And with another exciting year of innovation on tap, one of the biggest stories at the SIA Snow Show will be how aggressively some brands are implementing rocker into their frontside products. K2, for example, updates its All-Mountain Perfor mance (A.M.P.) line with the new Bolt (125/72/99), a hard-snow-specific ski built with a combination of Speed Rocker, MOD shape and a new Carbon W eb placement in what the brand has labeled RoX T echnology. “Speed Rocker allows us to create a level of turn initiation that wouldn’t otherwise be possible with a ski this torsionally rigid,” says Mike Gutt, K2 global marketing manager . K2 will also intro duce the Charger and V elocity in the new category, as well as the SideSeth (147/118/135), a new Seth Morrison pro model with Powder Rocker in its Backside Collection. Volkl unveils its new V -Werks technology, a MetalTex hybrid construction featuring a combination of titanal and carbon fi ber, in the V-Werks RTM 84, offering frontside carving and float in softer snow. For women, the new frontside-focused Charisma (127/79/100) features a slight tip rocker for ease of initiation, as well as an updated Extended Double Grip construction for more control in the center of the ski. Nordica’s new Transfire line (which is matched with a new boot collection, both aimed at the middle of the market) combines early rise in the tip and slight rise in the tail with a new wide-sized Evo binding plate for increased control and easier handling. The line features four new slim-waisted mo dels in the T ransfire 78Ti, Transfire 78Ca, Transfire 74 and Transfire 75. Blizzard, which enjoyed success with its rockered Flipcore Technology in its Free Mountain collection this season, expands the design into a new Women’s Free Mountain collection, and also into the existing all-mountain Magnum Series, with two new skis that are 85mm and 80mm underfoot. “We recognized that the energy and excitement in the ski industry is focused around rockered, wider waisted skis. With the expansion of Flipcore Technology into both the women’ s Free Mountain category and the all-mountain category, we will be able to deliver this fun and excitement to all skier types, from the big mountain athlete to the average weekend intermediate skier,” Tecnica Blizzard Product Director Jed Duke says. Salomon is also upgrading its hard snow capability with the Enduro XT 800 (125/80/108) featuring a full wood core and Double Ti Laminate. But the real story is

▲ Salomon Rocker 2

Rocker expands into meat of the market with hardpack specific skis.

ing up its big mountain line with the Atlas (150/125/132 at 192 centimeters), which will be paired with the new Guardian binding. Its biggest news is the all-mountain Vantage Line, featuring two new skis in the Ritual and Alibi at 103 and 98 underfoot, that are built with a T i and Carbon backbone milled into the woo d core down the spine of the ski, as well as a mix of 25 percent rocker and 75 percent camber underfoot. Some of the big stories for Rossignol at the show will include the redesigned Super 7 (146/117/127), from the brand’s hot S Series, which features a ﬂ at tail with more taper for more all-terrain versatility , and the more hard

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TOP TRENDS

/ SKIS

snow friendly Pursuit HP Ti (125/81/111), with 10 percent rocker and 90 percent camber underfoot. “What we’ve found is that a little bit of rocker goes a long way in how much easier it can make a ski to turn,” says Tait Wardlaw, Rossignol VP of marketing and communications. “And what we’re doing with our Power T urn Rocker in the Pursuit Series is adding just enough tip splay to really improve that perfect corduroy experience because that’s what so many people are actually skiing on the slopes.” Dynastar is introducing the new Cham Series, highlighted by the Cham 107 (137/107/121) and Cham High Mountain 97 (133/97/112), which feature a long rocker tip, classic camber underfoot and a ﬂat pintail for maneuverability in powder and hardpack. The brand’ s updated Exclusive line for women also features an Xpress inte-

grated ski/binding system, which on some models reduces the weight of the ski by almost 20 percent. Elan extends its Amphibio line, providing a unique mix of rocker and camber in the shovel of the ski, with three new men’ s models in the Amphibio 88XT i, 78XTi and 78, as well as the new women’ s Inspire, with a 78mm waist width. Elan will also unveil its Triple Base Technnology (TBT) in the men’ s Puzzle and W omen’s Delirium, which the brand says is a new form of rocker designed speciﬁcally for the park and pipe segment. Fischer hits the show with a unique new take on rocker, as well as a no d to a successful launch from the past. The “Hybrid” project, paired with boots in the V acuum Fit category, is an adjustable rocker system that utilizes an aluminum band that allows skiers to dial in the amount of rocker the ski has, raising the tip as they tighten it. And

“What we’ve found is that a little bit of rocker goes a long way in how much easier it can make a ski to turn.”

▲ Head Rev 90

▲ Dynastar Cham 97

▲ Black Diamond Carbon Megawatt

▲ Elan Delirium

▲ Kastle XXJames

▲ Line Celebrity

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

in the brand’ s other new line, the Big Stix are coming back, with three new skis with waist widths of 120, 110 and 98. As Fischer Skis USA Vice President Erik Anderson told SSP, “We had so many dealers and instructors approaching us saying how much they missed that line, that we decided to update it with all of our new technology and bring it back.” Head replaces its i.Peak series with the all-new unisex Rev series; its era 3.0 models blend rocker, radius and rebound and come in six different waist widths in the 70, 75, 80, 85, 95 and 105 with varying constructions. Kastle introduces its new XX Colby James West twin tip pro mo dels in the XXColby (111/80/111) for the halfpipe, XXJames (120/90/120) for all-mountain, and XXWest (134/110/134) for powder, as well as new additions in its MX and TX lines. Line arrives with new Capwall construction and Thin T ips throughout its All-T errain collection, as well a new thinner line of skis with 85mm waist widths in the Prophet 85, Prophet Flite and Celebrity 85. And Black Diamond Equipment arrives at the show with nine new skis, including a more tour friendly version of its Megawatt with a 125mm waist. —Peter Kray

TOP TRENDS

/ SKI BOOTS

Amid strong sales, innovations multiply For ’12-13, boots get clever new shells, a hike-ski emphasis, improved fit. Boots have been relegated to a supporting role behind the headline-hogging ski category for some 15 years, but they continue to provide the engine that powers your customers’ experience. They’ve enjoyed their own technological breakthroughs, ring your cash register just as frequently as skis, and create buzz on the retail floor. SIA reports that pre-season (August through October 2011) retail sales for boots were up 24 percent in dollars over a year ago. Several top models were already in short supply by late fall, so now’ s the time to start formulating smart buying decisions for next season’s inventory. Market share leader Salomon unveils two intriguing technologies for 2012-13, T win Frame and CS 360°, transforming the hike-ski Quest Max as well as the Ghost Max and X Max. The T win Frame shell combines a stiff chassis with a softer inner shell to provide the right rigidity in the right place, then adds a new Oversized Pivot to transfer power more quickly and evenly . The 360° Custom Shell expands the Salomon fi t benchmark for complete wrapping and straightens and fl attens the foot position for the new rocker ski generation. Dalbello, which says its A-to-Z lineup has elevated it to N o. 2 in the U.S. market, launches an entirely new Krypton KR2 Series for its big mountain brethren, led by the Krypton Pro I.D. The three men’ s and two women’ s models feature bi-injected Power Frame construction, new mo dern stance geometry and an anatomically precise fitting 98mm last using Dalbello’s acclaimed Contour 4 Fit Technology. Dalbello also updates its sports perfor mance Aerro and Aspire series with bi-injection designs, dual density replaceable soles and aluminum buckles. Nordica earned kudos for introducing the mold-breaking, three-dimensional FireArrow for this season, and now brings the concept of a boot designed for to day’s ski technology to lower price points. The new 102mm- lasted Transfire, which replaces the big unit Hot Ro d, provides a “relaxed fi t” alternative to FireArrow , incorporating a new lateral shell, Adjustable Cup Profi le and Stability/ Control Hinge. Transfire includes three models (R1, R2, R3) for men and women, with MAP pricing from $499 down to $299. Lange and especially Tecnica see the future for allmountain boots in hike-ski SUV -type versatility , with an emphasis on ski performance. With its acid-green RX 130 arguably the hottest boot at retail this season, Lange rolls out the 100mm-lasted XT 130 and XT 100 W, billed as the first high-performance adventure boots that climb. The secret ingredient is a simple but effective Power V -

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

▲ Tecnica Cochise 90W

▲ Lange XT 130

▲ Nordica Transfire R1

▲ Glen Plake and the Dalbello Krypton Pro I.D.

Lock, a V -shaped insert in the back of the lower shell which moves backward for hike mo de but locks securely in ski-mode. Building on the success of the brisk-selling Cochise 120, Tecnica expands its athlete-inspired Free Mountain Series to include a whole collection of models from $399 to $799 MAP. Made of lightweight Triax plastic, the FMS boots feature interchangeable sole systems that allow the soles to switch from DIN to Tech compatible (sold separately) and an internal metal-on-metal cuff mobility system that securely locks the cuff to the lower when in ski mode. “This redefi nes the all-mountain boot,” says Bart Tuttle, Tecnica’s product manager. “And we realize that any skier can appreciate it.” Fischer’s moldable shell Vacuum Fit technology proudly debuted in 22 of the country’s best boot shops this season to overwhelming acclaim. The brand is expanding its lineup and reach for 2012-13, looking to place ovens in another 80 shops. Fischer launches seven new mo dels of Vacuum, including the hike-ski Hybrid with two mo dels each for men and women, a stiffer 101mm last and softer 103mm, and the sidecountry Ranger 12. V acuum’s custom fit is impressive, but the benefits also include the ver-

▲ Salomon Ghost Max 120

satility to accommo date different feet with fewer SKUs. “The untapped potential,” says Erik Anderson, Fischer’ s alpine division VP, “is for inventory management.” Atomic’s big news for ‘12-13 is a bold, feature-laden race boot, The Redster, whose numerous innovations will also appeal to big-mountain chargers. Calling it the boot world’s first two-component spine, Atomic co-injects the PU shell with carbon fi ber. The Redster has a new last, twice the lateral cuff adjustment, three different boot board fl exes, and a heel sole lug that is longer than the toe. The Redster arrives in the 95mm-lasted W orld Cup (150, 130 and 110 fl exes, $699 MAP) and the 98mmlasted Pro (130, 110, $599 MAP). APEX unveils two injection-molded mo dels with price points coming down $500-plus in the all-new M Series, while continuing to offer its carbon fi ber mo dels. Full Tilt fi lls a void by bringing an interchangeable rubber sole to each of its four categories in the vector model—the FTS Soul, Seth Morrison and Tom Wallisch pro models, and the First Chair . Rossignol redesigns its Experience Sensor 120 for better fit and power and offers the all-new Electra Sensor 90 for women. —Andy Bigford

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TOP TRENDS

/ SKI BINDINGS

SUV-style tourable ski bindings explode at the SIA Snow Show Major ski brands look to help retailers rebuild the ‘Binding Wall.’ When Marker introduced its Duke and Jester ski bindings fi ve years ago, offering a touring feature for motivated powderhounds who wanted to chase fresh tracks both in- and out-of-bounds, ski systems dominated at retail, and in most specialty shops the ala carte “Binding Wall” had disappeared. But today, ala carte sales account for about 50 percent of Marker’s total U.S. market share, according to Geoff Curtis, Marker Volkl USA VP of marketing—and this despite Marker’s system sales being strapped to the strength of the K2 and Volkl ski lines, as well as a handful of others. “When we first introduced the Duke and Jester, many a ski retailer literally thanked us for giving them a reason to talk about bindings again,” Curtis says. “T ourable, step-in bindings in general have changed the market a great deal.” Crowned as Marker’ s “Royal Line,” three upgraded tourable additions will be unveiled at the SIA Snow Show, including a new Jester and Jester Pro, and also a brand new Duke, with a Power Frame chassis that is 28 percent wider than the original design and a 16 DIN. But several brands are also hitting the show with the intention of taking a piece of Marker’s ala carte throne. Call it the increased SUV-ification of skiing, as Atomic, Salomon, Head/Tyrolia and Fischer will all introduce downhill-focused bindings that feature a touring option. Former World Cup star turned freeskier Daron Rahlves tweeted Atomic’ s Tracker 16 out of the bag when he posted a photo of it on Facebook in September . Paired as it is with Salomon’ s identical Guardian 16 under the Amer Sports umbrella, press releases and Q&As quickly followed as part of a concentrated move to capitalize on the early exposure to the benefi t of both brands. “W ith both companies testing the binding in the fi eld, we’re definitely hoping to peak everyone’ s excitement for the introduction of the binding,” Jenny N aftulin, Salomon alpine brand manager said at the time. Both bindings will be marketed primarily for their downhill performance, according to N aftulin, and feature a Hike & Ride Switch that can be engaged with a ski pole, a clear difference between the Marker bindings, which skiers have to remove in order to switch mo des

“When we first introduced the Duke and Jester, many a ski retailer literally thanked us for giving them a reason to talk about bindings again.” 26

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

between hiking and skiing. HEAD/Tyrolia calls its new group the T riple A Series, and enters the market with the Adrenalin for ‘12-13, a 16 DIN binding with an AT option that can also be activated on the ﬂy with a ﬂick of a ski pole. The Adrenalin features a horizontal spring in the toe and also three different angles for hiking. Unlike systems, which are most commonly matched with skis in the 70-79 mm waist category , the Adrenalin requires skis to have a minimum waist width of

80 mm. It will be offered in Head branded versions in the new Rev 105 and Sacriﬁ ce, and also on the Binding W all as a Tyrolia standalone. Fischer, which partnered with Tyrolia on the development, is also planning to follow suit with its own version. As further proof that the ala carte is going to continue to expand, T yrolia is planning three additional models in the T riple A for ‘13-14, including a lower DIN model and a lighter touring model. —Peter Kray

▲ Salomon Guardian

▲ Marker Duke

▲ Atomic Tracker

TOP TRENDS

/ HELMETS

Helmets up the ante with features, fit and even lighter weight models Safety not the only story in hot-selling category. With statewide mandates and new resort regulations in the works, protecting skiers and riders’ heads has become big business. Helmets accounted for 10 percent of all accessory sales last season, with more than 1.2 million snowsports-specific mo dels sold. Manufacturers for 2012-13 will continue to embrace the trend with lighter materials, better fit, goggle compatibility and enhanced plug-in capabilities. “More and more companies are developing helmets and goggles in conjunction,” says Ben Flandro, Smith senior product manager. “There’s also a growing interest for multi-sport helmets, as consumers look to streamline their gear closets.” To that end, Smith unveils the multisport Gage, a minimalist lid made from injection-molded ABS. It features AirEvac V entilation that siphons out warm air and a Lifestyle Fit System for fit customization. While consumers are streamlining their gear closets, manufacturers are doing the same with the number of models they offer to make purchasing on the retail fl oor easier. Salomon addresses this with a new lightweight helmet family debuting a new shell and oval fi t, including the Prophet, whose Impact Custom Air system is adapted to the new shell shape, and the men’s Phantom and women’s Aura, which carry the same shell shape minus the brim and big mountain cosmetics. “We’re trying to reduce retailers’ need to carry a bunch of SKUs,” says Salomon product manager Mike Aicher. Following this emphasis on fi t, POC addresses the women’s-specific market with its 18.4-oz. Skull Light WO, designed specifi cally to fi t women’s heads, which are shaped differently than men’ s. PO C also unveils a new light-weight Aramid bridge shell helmet, the Fornix, with the weave added just under the outer shell and molded together with the foam liner for enhanced structural stability. Ride is also hopping on the fi t bandwagon with such technical fi t features as Zone-Flex, Ride Dial fi t systems and stitched liners. That and more can be found on its new Duster Helmet, a snowboard-centric headpiece that fits a variety of head shapes and comes with removable earpads, an audio kit and passive venting. “As helmets become lighter, more comfortable and less bulky , they’re becoming a lot more palatable to wear,” says Ride Accessories Engineer Nigel Steere. “That’ s why we’re focusing on making helmets that function well but also fit great.” Temperature regulation also continues to be a corner -

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

stone of design. Carrera, now distributed in the U.S. for the fi rst time in three years by Dalbello Sports, looks to solve this with its top-of-the-line, ABS/In-mold Enigma and Paradox. These lightweight, hybrid-construction lids feature a concealed center panel that can be raised for ventilation and a V enturi System of three vacuum-creating air channels that remove heat and humidity . Bern also focuses on airfl ow with its 18-oz. G2, a brimmed offering with liquid-foam-injection Zipmold shell and three-position vent sliders for adjusting air inflow. K2 combines fit and flow with phonics with three new hard-shell designs, the Phase, Emphasis and Entity , each made from lightweight EPS foam bonded to an injected molded ABS shell and coming with an adjustable Dialed Fit System, Active Matrix and Passive Channel venting

systems, and three levels of Baseline Audio systems that connect to two-way radios and mp3 players. And RED introduces the new Commander Helmet, a team-driven design with dent resistant construction. With new studies out on concussions, impact resistance is also at the forefront of design trends. Scott’s new Rove MIPS is a freeride helmet featuring Multi Directional Impact Protection System technology , which adds a low friction layer inside the shell allowing it to rotate relative to one’s head. “It mimics the safety system already in the skull,” says Scott marketing manager Adam Greene. “Upon impact, the brain slides along a membrane on the inner surface of the skull, which reduces the forces transmitted to the brain. This does the same thing.” —Eugene Buchanan

“As helmets become lighter, more comfortable and less bulky, they’re becoming a lot more palatable to wear,” says Ride Accessories Engineer Nigel Steere.

▲ Carrera ENIGMA

▲ Salomon Prophet

▲ Smith Gage

▲ POC Fornix

▲ K2 Emphasis

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TOP TRENDS

/ GOGGLES

Competition increases in accessorysales leading goggle market Entry of Salomon, return of Carrera spice up the category. Better fit, venting and helmet integration—that’s the name of the game in goggles, which continue to lead all accessory sales in snowsports. According to SIA, goggle sales grew 21 percent in dollars last season to comprise 29 percent of the accessory category. Fueling this growth is manufacturers’ commitment to create SKUs that work no matter what the weather. “One of the most prevalent demands we’ve seen is the ability

preventing airfl ow system. “The new frame expands the field of vision and improves peripheral vision,” says Salomon product manager Mike Aicher. “For us, that’s what it’s all about.” One player back in the eyewear aisles isCarrera. After a three-year hiatus, Dalbello is bringing the brand back into the U.S. market with a new goggle line highlighted by the Cliff SPH/SRP, featuring Carrera’s Seal-Ring Air System (S.A.S) anti-fog design, which joins the inner and outer lenses together via a thin polyurethane membrane. Arnette never went away , but it is refocusing on goggles, intro ducing the Mini Series 3 for small faces and the over-sized Skylight for fit, comfort and optimum viewing. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, K2 Sports introduces a new line of K2-branded goggles in the men’ s Photokinetic and women’s Captura, both with Optics by Carl Zeiss Vision lenses. The lenses incorporate eight-layer dielectric mirror technology, designed to balance out harsh sunlight and glare and enhance low-light visibility. Scott is also all about increased visibility with its new Off-Grid, the company’ s largest spherical lens goggle to date with increased lens and frame size and Scott’ s pat-

Adaptability, visibility and comfort are the three strongest trends in goggles. for goggles to accommodate a wide variety of conditions,” says Ben Flandro, product manager for Smith, whose new I/OX goggles debut at the SIA Snow Show with a new 5X anti-fog lens with a hydrophilic, micro-etched surface to absorb and disperse moisture, as well as a new quickrelease system for its spherical, carbonic-X lens. The sales growth has also lured other players into the category. After a test market in Europe last year, Salomon brings its goggle line to the U.S. for the ﬁ rst time, with a proprietary technology focused on more lens and less frame. The new X-Tend combines a spherical BNL lens with a unique suspension frame system and patented, fog-

ent-pending Fit System carried over from its motocross line, offering four fit adjustments. Oakley adds AVC to the equation. “Adaptability, visibility and comfort are the three strongest trends in goggles,” maintains Oakley global category manager Andy McSorley, pointing to the new Seth Morrison Signature Airbrake goggle, which comes with a blue iridium lens, Switchlock lens change technology , rigid front frame with flexible O-Matter rear chassis, and triple-layer polar fleece foam. “Not one lens tint works optimally in every environment—that’s why we created Switchlock, which lets you change lenses to adapt to different conditions.” Native Eyewear is also aboard the lens-swapping trend with its Kicker goggles, which come with GLIDE-LOK interchangeable, spherical/thermal, polarized lenses to reduce glare. They also harbor an anti-fog interior coating as well as lens and face chamber venting to reduce condensation. Other trends you’ll see at the show include a new women’s-specific line by Julbo, highlighted by its new V esta, the first goggle in its line to come with its polarizing/photochromic Falcon or faster-changing photochromic Zebra Light lens. Also onboard the XX chromosome trend is Spy, whose new Keep A Breast goggle series donates $3 for every sale of its Zed and Whip MX goggles to charity. —Eugene Buchanan

▼ K2 Photo Kinetic

▲ Oakley Seth

▲ Carrera CLIFF

▲ Scott Off Grid

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

▲ Smith IOX Turbo

▲ Salomon XPRO 12

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ONE EPIC SEASON PASS PRICED EXCLUSIVELY FOR SIA

ONLY AVAILABLE AT THE SIA SHOW JAN 26–29!

Stop by the Epic Pass booth #766 at SIA to get your Exclusive SIA Epic Pass for over 60% off the regular price! Plus, $10 of your purchase goes to Winter Feels Good — providing outreach tools that introduce youth to snowsports.

PASS

™

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The freedom to ski 6 world-class resorts and the legendary Arapahoe Basin with unlimited and unrestricted access.*

SIA Epic Pass only available to show attendees, exhibitors and buyers with valid show credentials. Must be present to purchase. Adult passes only. * SIA Epic Pass valid for the remainder of the 2011/12 ski season, starting January 30, 2012. Does not include summer 2012 access. © 2011 Vail Resorts Management Company. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SUPPLIER INSIGHT

/ Q&A

Boa Technology’s Gary Hammerslag CEO’s lacing frustration launched iconic performance closure system. When Gary Hammerslag realized in the mid-1990s that there must be a better way to tighten his snowboard boots, he had no idea that his invention-to-be would deliver six million units into the marketplace. Boa Technology closure systems are now incorporated in products ranging from snowboard boots and snowsports helmets to hiking, cycling, golf, running and casual footwear . Based out of Denver in an old brick building that used to be a coffin factory, Boa Technology likes to mix innovative engineering with outdoor play, and was recently ranked fourth by Outside Magazine on its “Best Places to Work” list for 2011. —Andy Bigford Snow Show Preview: What’s your impression of the SIA Snow Show being held in Denver? Gary Hammerslag: Having the show so close to our home is great. It allows us to send more employees to the show and mingle with new and existing partners on the show floor as well as bring our customers in to see our Denver headquarters. We are passionate about our work, but as you know, we all moved to Colorado to be close to the mountains so we can play with the best of ‘em. We want our employees to mix sports and life with work as much as possible. It’s just one of the many benefits we have been able to offer here at Boa. SSP: How did Boa Technology get started? GH: With a growing family and a desire to raise our two children in a mountain town where they could share our love for the outdoors, I sold my coronary guidewire medical device business in 1994 and decided to make Steamboat Springs the new Hammerslag stomping grounds. My Southern California surfing roots translated perfectly to snowboarding, and our family soon became a regular fixture on the mountain, while the kids also began playing ice hockey. I’ve been an entrepreneur most of my life and so has my father, so I was actively looking for a new business to start. I recognized that shoelaces were an inadequate closure system for snowboard boots, hockey skates and actually most types of performance footwear and pro ducts. Traditional shoelaces don’ t perform well in the elements, they don’t stay tied, they don’t give you the ability to adjust tightness, and they create pressure points. SSP: How long did it take you to develop the product and get it to market? GH: For two grueling years, I built the earliest Boa Closure System prototypes, snowboarded in them, then refined them and snowboarded more. Finally, I determined that the Boa system truly delivered a genuine breakthrough. Our current business mo del of designing, manufacturing and selling a branded closure system to multiple brands and supporting them strongly has worked out really well for our partners and us. In 2001, both Vans and K2 launched snowboard boots featuring the Boa Closure System.

We want our employees to mix sports and life with work as much as possible.

SSP: What are the growth areas for Boa outside of snowsports? GH: Cycling, golf and outdoor are all emerging growth areas for us. W e have top partners in each category , including FootJoy for golf, Specialized in cycling and The N orth Face and T reksta making outdoor and trail running shoes.

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

Boa expander: “2011 was our best year ever,” Hammerslag says.

SSP: Where else might Boa go in the future? GH: Over the past two years, our system has experienced a surge of interest from many different industries, and 2011 was our best year ever. Two really different emerging categories for us are the medical and protective industries. SSP: What Boa closure systems being exhibited in 2012-13 pro duct at the SIA Snow Show are you most excited about? GH: We have two new reel platforms this season that will debut at SIA. The first is our seventh generation reel platform called the H3. W e’ve redesigned this platform with a smaller visual footprint and overall size yet with slightly more power than the previous reel. It has a precision feel and function and there are no special tools required for onthe-fly repair or maintenance in the backcountry or at the resort. A great example of a new boot that will make its debut here at the SIA Show is the new V ans Infuse. We also have a new Mid Powered Reel named the M3, aimed at our fastest growing segment, which is our Dual Reel (Zonal) solutions. This new reel platform compliments our dual reel offering while enabling price segmentation across the line. Another area of improvement is to provide more ways to use Boa in hybrid configurations, so you’ll see more Lace/Velcro/Boa combo boots in the marketplace addressing the needs of each segment. SSP: Can you suggest a great Denver spot for Snow Show attendees? GH: Well, I’m a Steamboat local, but Denver is like a second home. Don’ t miss the Denver Beer Co. It’s a stone’s throw away from our office on Platte Street. You are guaranteed to find a few Boa offsite meetings taking place there at any given time during the week!

snewsnet.com SNOW SHOW PREVIEW

ZDA R BOOTS INTRODUCING ZDA R FOOTWE A R. 100% GERMAN WOOL FELT. SHOWING AT SI A SNOW SHOW BOOTH 567 | 305 672 7768 | WWW.ZDARBOOT.COM

AT THE SHOW

/ DINING

Work hard, eat well From casual to upscale, walk-to dining options are diverse and delicious.

Denver may be best known to SIA Snow Show attendees as the gateway to the country’ s best 12. Avenue Grill skiing and riding. No longer just a steakhouse town, Denver’ s re-energized dining scene offers 630 E. 17th Ave. diverse tables to close that big deal or just relax after a long day on the show oor. ﬂ Here are 25 303-861-2820; avenuegrill.com top restaurants from which to choose, all within walking distance of the Convention Center . Traditional San Francisco-style grill specializing in fresh seafood, grill cuisine, pasta and delicious salads. Private room available. Serving until 11 p.m. weekdays, and to midnight Sat., Sun. 5-10 p.m.

Thanks to Visit Denver for the reviews.

1317 14th St. 303-595-4255; euclidhall.com From the owners of Rioja and Bistro V endôme, this American tavern is focused on high quality and innovative pub foo d from around the world, including housemade sausages, po’ boys, poutine and schnitzels.

2. Ocean Prime

1465 Larimer St. 303-825-3663; oceanprimedenver.com Ocean Prime, the Modern American supper club located at Larimer Square, features Prime steaks and seafoo d, award-winning handcrafted cocktails, world-class wines and red carpet hospitality.

3. Bistro Vendôme

1420 Larimer Square, Suite 200 303-825-3232; bistrovendome.com Bringing some serious Parisian ﬂ air to the already tres chic Larimer Square, Bistro Vendôme is a Denver foo die favorite. The restaurant’ s mouthwatering menu makes prodigious use of local, seasonal ingredients to create updates on classic French bistro fare.

4. Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House 1106 14th St. 303-640-1012; ktrg.net

A ﬁ xture on the Denver cuisine scene for more than 20 years, Kevin Taylor has dedicated his life to creating reﬁned French-style cuisine, with a distinctive Colorado twist; located at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

5. Osteria Marco

1453 Larimer St. 303-534-5855; osteriamarco.com Spectacular Italian dishes are on display at Osteria Mar co, a commo dious Larimer Square basement establishment that exposes the high priest talents of cutting-edge kitchen magician Frank Bonanno.

6. Panzano

909 17th Street at Champa

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

303-296-3525; panzano-denver.com Located near the 16th Street Mall, the award-winning Panzano has become a true local favorite. Exceptional Northern Italian cuisine matches the warm and inviting setting.

7. Vesta Dipping Grill

1822 Blake St. Ste. D 303-296-1970; vestagrill.com World grill cuisine. Ethnic entrees and exotic dipping sauces served in a relaxed urban environment in the heart of LoDo.

8. TAG Restaurant

1441 Larimer St. 303-996-9985; tag-restaurant.com

13. ChoLon Bistro

1555 Blake St., Ste. 101 303-353-5223 ChoLon, which translates to “big market,” is named after the largest Chinese-inﬂ uenced market in Saigon, V ietnam. Executive Chef Lon Symensma, formerly of Buddakan and Spice Market in New York City, showcases his passion for Asian ingredients and French cooking techniques in a striking and eco-friendly environment.

14. Cook’s Fresh Market

1600 Glenarm Pl., Ste. 120 303-893-2277; cooksfreshmarket.com A treasure-ﬁ lled store packed with goo d things to taste and eat: fantastic breads, pastries, oils, vinegar , imported cheeses, innovative prepared foods, delicious sandwiches, gift baskets and much more!

Troy Guard’s home to continental social food offers urban progressive dining in an intimate 125-seat setting right in 15. Corridor 44 the heart of Downtown’s Larimer Square.

9. Rioja

1431 Larimer Street 303-820-2282; riojadenver.com Chef Jennifer Jasinski’s much acclaimed Mediterraneaninﬂuenced eatery in Historic Larimer Square.

10. Appaloosa Grill

535 16th St. 720-932-1700; appaloosagrill.com This employee-owned neighborhoo d favorite offers highquality cuisine, a great atmosphere and live entertainment nightly. Kitchen open until 1 a.m. seven days a week.

11. 1876 Restaurant at the Grand Hyatt Denver

1750 Welton St. 303-296-1876; granddenver.hyatt.com Located in the heart of downtown Denver’ s entertainment and business district, Grand Hyatt Denver’ s 1876 Restaurant serves three meals daily . Weekday buffets for breakfast and lunch as well as a la carte dining. In the evening choose from a selection of contemporary dishes or from a prix ﬁxe menu at just $52.80 per couple.

1433 Larimer St. 303-893-0044; corridor44.com A stylish new Larimer Square establishment featuring a menu of small plates, sparkling wines by the glass and bottle along with a full bar and complete still wine list.

16. Cru - A Wine Bar

1442 Larimer St. 303-893-9463; cruawinebar.com Experience and explore the fascinating world of wine, with over 350 selections, 60 premium wines by the glass as well as taster pairings and wine ﬂ ights. Eclectic, wine-friendly cuisine including shared appetizers, gourmet pizzas and entrees.

17. Earls Restaurant Downtown Denver 1600 Glenarm Place. Ste. 140 303-595-3275; earls.ca

Offering an award-winning international cuisine with two outdoor patios, a private dining room and a full bar and lounge retreat with a west-coast atmosphere.

18. EDGE Restaurant & Bar

1111 14th Street 303-389-3000; edgerestaurantdenver.com

MAP COURTESY OF VISIT DENVER

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An authentic Brazilian Churrascaria (Portuguese for steakhouse) from Southern Brazil in Downtown Denver.

21. Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse 1513 Wynkoop St. 303-623-9600; fogo.com

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Located in the heart of downtown Denver’ s theatre district, EDGE Restaurant & Bar is a progressive American steakhouse with a focus on seasonal ingredients and custom dry-aged steaks, sourced from the best farms and ranches in Colorado.

321 17th St. 303-297-3111; brownpalace.com

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comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy renowned chef Ian Klienman’ s unique take on classic American comfort food.

24. Hard Rock Café

500 16th St., Ste. 120 303-623-3191; hardrock.com

22. Freshcraft

Bringing Rock to the Rockies since N ovember 1998. Located on 16th Street at Denver Pavilions, the Hard Rock features an oak bar with a Harley Davidson, and a private room with wrap-around windows overlooking 16th Street Mall.

Upscale comfort food in a casual atmosphere paired with some of the best beers in the world. N early all foo d is made from scratch using fresh ingredients.

25. Jax Fishhouse

1530 Blake St., Unit A 303-758-9608; freshcraft.com

1881 Curtis St. 303-312-3107; elways.com

23. H BurgerCO

The Ritz-Carlton Denver’s signature restaurant is Elway’s, named after Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. Offering delicious food across the menu, great wines at great

H BurgerCO offers diners an energetic, stylish and

1555 Blake St. 720-524-4345; hburgerco.com

1539 17th St. 303-292-5767; jaxfishhousedenver.com Voted one of the Top Ten Best Restaurants in Denver by 5280 and named Best Seafood Restaurant by Westword and CitySearch, Jax Fish House is one of Denver’s most popular destinations for unforgettable food and drink.

snewsnet.com SNOW SHOW PREVIEW

TOP TRENDS

/ NEW EXHIBITORS

Arnette, Halti, Darn Tough

About 90 brands, from emerging to established, hit the SIA Snow Show floor this year as New Exhibitors. Here are three of the newcomers and their stories.

Arnette: ‘Eye’m back!’

Goggle pros return from ‘hiatus’ Debuting two new goggles this January, Arnette Sunglasses and Goggles has set its sights on the winter sports industry…again. A snowsports eyewear powerhouse in its early days (sponsor ing major athletes like multi-Rider of the Y ear, Kevin Jones), Arnette’s numerous changes in ownership led to a retreat from the goggle market. “For the past seven or eight years we’ve been on a little bit of a hiatus,” Joe Freitag, global brand director for Arnette, says. Falling back under the Oakley umbrella in 2009—an ironic move since Arnette founder Greg Arnette left Oakley in 1993 to start his own company—the brand knows that now is the time to go solo at the SIA Show . Last year marked its soft re-launch, but Freitag calls 2012 the real deal—especially for Arnette’ s line of goggles. Last year the medium-sized toric lens, high-end Mercenary goggle and the heritage-style Series 3 goggle hit the market, but for 2012-2013 season, Arnette is targeting Gen Y. The Mini Series 3 is designed to fit the junior high and female consumer, people “with small faces who don’t necessarily want to rock a super big goggle,” Freitag says. The new Skylight will be Arnette’s headliner goggle, Freitag predicts. With an oversized and peripherally optimized domed toric lens, the Skylight still sits within a helmet frame and fi ts a range of faces. Its clean lines mask what Freitag calls “just the right amount of technology so that it has everything you’d expect for fi t, comfort, anti-fog and a wide open field of view.” arnette.com; Booth #3607

Halti pinpoints comfort

Finnish brand uses acupuncture tech in new coat The roots of Finland’ s premier softgoo ds brand Halti lie in necessity . “Juhani Hyökyvaaram started the company in 1976 for one simple reason: he was an avid out-

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

door person, and he realized that there was no real pro duct in the market that would meet his needs,” Joze Spar ovec, president and owner of Halti’s Canadian distributor Diamond Head Sports Inc., says. Though Hyökyvaaram sold the company and retired in 2000, the brand has become one of the most respected among outdoor retailers thanks to the Finnish nordic skiers, ski jumpers and alpine ski team that put Halti on the map, Sparovec says. The clothing’ s durability hasn’ t hurt either. Named after the tallest mountain in Finland, a peak located north of the Arctic Circle, Halti pro ducts “withstand all of the environmental challenges out there,” Sparovec says. Halti recently renewed its contract to supply the International Ski Federation (FIS) for another three years. Since 1999, Halti has been working with athletes like World Cup slalom champion Kalle Palander , backcountry freestyler Julien Regnier, alpine skier Tanja Poutiainen and others, as a way to ensure their products are designed not only for athletes, but by them too. This season, Halti introduces the W ellness During Skiing (WDS) compoFinland’s Halti: Look nent to their most technical men’ s and women’ s coats. good, feel good. WDS places specially designed foam knobs inside the jacket to improve airﬂow and to apply pressure to speciﬁc acupuncture sites on the wearer’s back. halti.com; Booth #565

Darn Tough: Sockin’ it to ‘em

Vermont’s Darn Tough calls itself best in biz Ric Cabot brags that his customers “beat the crap out of our socks.” After all, he labeled them Darn T ough for a reason. “We will give you attractive, good-looking, hardworking socks that will exceed your expectations in terms of comfort, durability and fit,” he says. Darn Tough also offers what Cabot calls the sock industry’s only unconditional lifetime guarantee; his current return rate is a mere 0.001 percent of sales. Cabot calls the intro duction of Darn Tough socks in 2004 as the only option to save a business that’ s part of the heart and soul of Northfi eld, Vt., where the maker of Darn T ough, Cabot Hosiery Mills, is located. The mill had been a private label company since 1978, but the early 2000s proved to be a trying time for the mill’ s second and third generation co-owners as outsourcing became a cheaper alternative to American-made socks. Seven years ago, looking to the rugged V ermont landscape for inspiration, Cabot set out to re-sock the outdoor industry. Unconvinced that any company was offering a premium sock, “I figured if I couldn’t produce the best, nobody could.” Now, in a factory equipped with the latest in Italian knitting equipment, Darn T ough meshes seamless technology with strong merino wool. Director of sales and marketing Mark Comcowich, who’s been in the ski business for more than 25 years, calls the ski and snowboard industry “the last bastion” for Darn Tough. Comcowich suggested adding shin pads and a fl ex zone where the top of the foot meets the shin, leading the company to the SIA Show. “Now, we’re ready to rock,” he says. darntough.com; Booth #2290 —Coutney Holden

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

New Product Marketplace Highlighting new and noteworthy products at the SIA Snow Show.

Bon Hiver was created on the notion of letting go. Riding since the days when neon one-pieces were slick, only grommets wore helmets and two-planks ruled, we’ve seen riders let go and push progression to unseen levels. Tweaked 180 cabs won half comps back then; now double-cork 10s simply get you in the running. Unfortunately since then, we’ve also seen an industry complacent with pumping out minor revisions to a binding design created in the 80s (yep, strapins are older than most riders today). So, we took it upon ourselves to step up and give riders what we need — unprecedented performance with common-sense convenience. 917-727-7201 SIA booth # 2107 www.bonhiver.com

Play Safe and Look Great with Helmet Band-Its, the original fashion accessory for ski helmets. Marrying style with safety, Helmet Band-Its are the new musthave ski and snowboard item. 100% manufactured in the USA, Helmet BandIts are easy to attach and switch. Our patent-pending design fastens easily on most helmets. Crafted from fine European faux and premium furs, and quality novelty materials, the bands are available in a variety of styles. Fur styles shift from headgear accessory to shawl collar, complete with matching wrist cuffs, for a chic après ski look, offering versatility both on and off the slopes. Robin Dorman rdorman@helmetbandits.com

Kirk Dorman kdorman@helmetbandits.com

1.855.5.bandit (1.855.522.6348) SIA Booth #2451 www.HelmetBandIts.com

Coming to America…distributed in over 40 countries, now available in the US and Canada.

After 20+plus years of manufacturing the boot press, which has become the professional boot fitter’s most reliable and dependable tool, Ski Kare has redesigned the press. A more durable press is the result with added features of micro-adjustable pressure control and a lower arm that has two positions for total inner boot shell access. Please see us at booth # 3578 for a hands-on demonstration. 5375 Orchard Street Golden, CO 80403 303-279-3828 800-525-5374 www.skikare.com

Warmer than Fleece! • High performance microfiber retains heat, blocks the wind, wicks perspiration and dries quickly. • This product has been described as “mission essential equipment” by the US Army. • Can be worn 12 different ways, including: facemask, balaclava, skull cap, helmet liner, head band, ear band, neck gaiter, and scarf. • Warm in the winter and cool in the summer, this is a year-round accessory. Hundreds of patterns and colors to choose from. Licensee of: Vail Resorts areas- Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and North Star at Tahoe Birds of Prey World Cup Downhill, TEVA Mountain Games, USA Pro Cycling Challenge, CLC (Collegiate Licensing Corp)

Authentic Multi-Functional Headwear SIA booth # 4218 www.windx-treme.com

snewsnet.com SNOW SHOW PREVIEW

AT THE SHOW

/ EXHIBITOR EVENTS

SIA Snow Show hits high gear with exhibitor events Red Rocks concert, Reclaim Project, Riders Poll top must-see list. Icelantic’s Winter on the Rocks History will be made at the SIA Snow Show this year , as Icelantic Skis, with help from brands such as Subaru, Discrete, N ever Summer and 686, presents the ﬁ rst ever winter concert at Red Rocks. The legendary natural amphitheatre will play host to the snowsports industry onFriday, Jan. 27, with bands such as Atmosphere, Common, Grieves, Budo and Get Critchy set to amplify the Rocky Mountain Night. For more information, and to buy tickets, Snowboard industry’s go to: www.icelanticswinterontherocks.com. Icelantic is elite come out for also offering a special $250 per guest VIP package for show Riders Poll Awards. attendees, which includes front and center seating, foo d, drinks and gifts. General admission: $40. 13th Annual Transworld SNOWboarding

Riders Poll Awards

The 13th Annual Transworld SNOWboarding Riders Poll Awards, presented by New Era, hits the Fillmore Auditorium the evening of Friday, Jan. 27. Held every year at the show, the awards have attained legendary status, annually honoring the best athletes in the sport. The industry’s elite will be at the event, which holds special signiﬁ cance as Transworld is also celebrating the 25-year anniversary of Transworld SNOWboarding.

Celebrate K2 Skis 50th anniversary K2 Skis celebrates its 50-year anniversary at the show. Check out Snow Show Daily on the ﬂoor for more information. Icelantic to host first-ever winter Red Rocks show.

The RECLAIM Project Presented by SIA, 686 and Malakye.com, the RECLAIM Project returns to the show for a second straight year , giving three hand-picked designers a once in a lifetime opportunity to support environmental awareness while showing off their talent. Live at the show , the designers will have three days to pro duce an original garment created from “Reclaimed” materials and trims. Located inside the Show Hall in the Snowboard section, booth #3317, to allow for more interaction, the RECLAIM Project celebrates the creativity, functionality and longevity of the snowsports industry, while also developing a channel for encouraging and ﬁnding new talent. “We are looking forward to the second installment of the RECLAIM Project at SIA,” says Michael Akira West,

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

president and creative director at 686. “W e had a very talented pool of designers enter the contest last year and it made for a full and creative atmosphere. This year , the RECLAIM Project is on the Show ﬂ oor, so we’re hoping to drive even more trafﬁc and attention to the future talent of our industry .” Be sure to RECLAIM Project heats up stop by the booth on Satur- the action on the show floor. day, Jan. 28, at 5 p.m. to celebrate the RECLAIM designers and to see their creations.

Shmoozapalooza industry job fair & networking event HELLO, My name is:

SIA and Malakye are hosting the ShmoozaPalooza industry job fair again this year. On Friday, Jan. 27, job seekers can meet with the snowsports industry’ s leading employers. The only show event that is open to the public, the “Shmooz” is also the world’s only cohesive snowsports employment and networking event. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Colorado Convention Center’s Grand Concourse.

Vail Resorts Epic Pass only $239 for show attendees For the third year running, SIA Snow Show attendees may purchase an Epic Pass for more than 65 percent off the original price, and valid for the remainder of the 20112012 season. For adults only, and only available onsite, this exclusive SIA Epic Pass is available to credentialed SIA Show attendees during the Show for $239 at the Epic Pass booth (#766). For more information about the SIA Epic Pass, visit siasnowshow.com/epic

WE’RE SOCIAL. ARE YOU?

Winter is a terrible thing to waste.

The all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza. Made to help you make the most of winter. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and 36 mpg* put any destination within reach. Stability and traction control keep you on course. It turns winter into the best season of the year. Experience love that lasts. Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.

Impreza . Well-equipped at $17,495

†

*EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy for 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i CVT models. Actual mileage may vary. †MSRP excludes destination and delivery charges, tax, title and registration fees. Dealer sets actual price. 2012 Impreza 2.0i Premium 5-door pictured has an MSRP of $21,295. Vehicle shown with accessory crossbar set-fixed and ski attachment.

AT THE SHOW

/ SIA EVENTS

The Snow Show presents the top seminars and events SIA spotlights trends, retailers, reps & best business practices. The Snow Show is legendary for being the must-stop spot for seeing all of the hottest new hardgoo ds, apparel and accessories in snowsports. SIA makes sure it’ s also the number one place to learn more about the best business practices, top trends and face-to-face networking opportunities that can help grow your business. Here’ s a highlight reel of just some of the ways the show can help improve the way you work.

SIA SnowSports Awards

Put the whole show in your hand

Backshop + Rental + Uniform

Download the entire show into the palm of your hand with SIA’s free mobile app. iPhone, Android and other smartphone users can just go to www.SIAshowapp.com to instantly manage their schedule, navigate the show floor, check out exhibitors, events and speakers, and plan their post-show outings at Denver hotspots.

Improve your business at the Backshop + Rental + Uniform space.

Each year the industry recognizes the reps, U.S. and Canadian retailers, suppliers and snowsports icons who represent the best of our industry . Celebrate the 2012 winners, including this year’ s Industry Achievement Award winner , on Friday, January 27 at 6P in the CSCUSA Central Lounge & Foo d Court. For more information: snowsports.org/awards.

One the show’s most popular annual exhibits, the Backshop + Rental + Uniform space (Booth #4677) is an exclusive venue focusing on the best in backshop and rental business practices. The Backshop section offers a preview of the latest backshop tools and tuning, while the Rental portion highlights the innovations in rental equipment. The Uniform section is all about what’ s new

in uniforms for making the best impression to your customers. “It’ s truly the industry’ s most important intro center for these markets,” says Bill Irwin, sales manager , Alpina/Elan Sports. On Friday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m., don’t miss a special presentation on, “How Rocker T echnology is Rocking the Rental W orld.” Backshop + Rental + Uniform Reception: SAM, SIA and Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month invite you to join us for a reception. Booth #4677 at 5:30P

Control Your Weather with 180s

The fastest drying g the herm rmal al generating g products for more e warrmt mth h wi with th fewer layers. Exclusiv iv vel ely y fr from om 180s

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GLOVES. APPAREL. ACCESSORIES.

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Backcountry Experience

PHOTOS BY (FROM LEFT) COURTESY; CHRIS SCHNEIDER

Want to see all the avalanche beacons, backpack airbags and snow safety equipment in one place? Stop by SIA’s Backcountry Experience (Booth #4506) and learn all the best practices for outfitting your customers and delivering a wealth of safety information, from lift accessed sidecountry to multiday expeditions. Backcountry experts will share their knowledge on everything from gear selection to avalanche warning signs. There will also be daily beacon searches, a chance to win prizes from the best brands in backcountry, a happy hour, lots of great films and live music.

Seminars The Snow Show offers free seminars from experts in marketing, merchandising, research, exporting, customer relationship management, fashion and more. Most seminars are run several times during the week to accommodate your schedules. 2012 Seminars topics include: ›› SnowSports Market Overview by Category ›› F/W 2013 Color and Snowsports Trends ›› SIA Recycling Program Overview ›› Exhibitor Tips - Make the most out of the show! ›› Marketing to Women, Kids and Seniors ›› How Shops Can Improve their Community Relations ›› Social Media Series ›› How to Obtain Credit

›› Marketing 101: Basic Tips and Trends ›› Merchandising Tips

Sneak Peak Digital

The SIA Awards honor the industry’s best.

Snow Innovations/ New Product Directory. Can’t wait to see the latest innovations at the Snow Show? You don’t have to. SIA is providing a “Sneak Peak” digital pro duct preview on siasnowshow.com/sneakpeak and all of SIA ’s social media sites. The format serves as an excellent hot item and trend spotter for retailers and media alike.

BlueBird Social Zone Booth-less bloggers, press individuals and daily guests have a place of their own during show days as SIA introduces the BlueBird Social Zone (Booth #303). Send social marketing messages and press updates live from the show floor. Charging stations are offered to give a boost of power while seating and streaming music give you an opportunity to recharge.

SIA Events

Growing Participation Breakfast (Year 2) Join SIA on Friday, Jan. 27, to learn what the industry is doing to help increase participation and how you can get involved. Tk time and place

Pancake Breakfast On Sunday, January 29, at 8 a.m., SIA Board members will be flipping pancakes for show attendees.

Daily Happy Hour Every day at 5 p.m., at the CSCUSA Central Lounge and Food Court, you can swing by for a post-show beverage and an opportunity to network.

Reception and State of the Industry Presentation Sunday, January 29 (check out the Snow Show Daily for more details) Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch Monday , January 30 and Tuesday, January 31 in the Barn.

TEST IT

/ ON-SNOW DEMO

On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest is all work (and play)

How can you resist getting on snow to test all the 2012-13 gear and accessories after ogling it indoors for four days, especially when it’s your job?

The Rental market is

ROCKING! New systems, new technology, and more players make the rental market a hot segment for 2013. Read all about it in SAM's Rental Buyer's Guide, online at www.saminfo.com/marketplace starting Jan. 5, or in Rental World at the SIA show, booth #4677.

Special Rental World booth events on Friday, Jan. 27 >>> • 1:00pm Discussion, “How Rocker Technology is Rocking the Rental World.” The past, present, and future of rocker technology in rental business, and how it is transforming the experience for beginners and enthusiasts alike. • 5:30pm SAM, SIA and Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month invite you to join us for a reception.

2 Mile High BBQ After a day on the snow trying the latest products, join the industry for the 2 Mile High BBQ at the Lodge at Sunspot on Jan. 30.Take the Zephyr Express to the top of Winter Park Resort for a hearty and delicious Rocky Mountain buffet BBQ featuring Cowboy Chicken, prime rib and garlic mashers. Reservations must be made by Jan. 19. For more information, and to guarantee your spot, go to siasnowshow.com/bbq.

Office Booyz and Girlz The On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest’s favorite non-contest contest returns, courtesy of Malakye.com. Open to everyone, and all skill levels, this year’s theme is, One Hit W onder. Participants just need to hit one obstacle to win a prize at Winter Park’s Re-Railer park on Jan. 30. Costumes are encouraged. And fun is guaranteed. Go to www.malakye.com for more info.

PHOTO BY CHRIS SCHNEIDER (RIGHT)

The annual SIA On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest at Wi ter Park Resort and Devil’s Thumb Ranch Jan. 30-31, 2012, provides the perfect transition onto the slopes and trails after four days of meetings and pro duct recons at the SIA Snow Show . “There’s so much good stuff being intro duced right now,” Sports Specialists Limited president Steve Rogers says, “that you really have to test if for yourself.” Snowsports retailers and media can test gear and accessories they just previewed at the show , including ski, snowboard, cross-country, snowshoe, AT, telemark and backcountry products. Organized in conjunction with the Western Winter Sports Reps Association (WWSRA) Rocky Mountain Demo, the alpine and snowboard portion is held at W inter Park. Besides all the testing, the OnSnow includes the Uphill/Downhill Challenge, a fundraiser for the U.S. Ski Mountaineering team. Free and open to all demo attendees, the Jan. 30 event has industry teams skinning from the Winter Park base up 1,700 vertical feet to the Sunspot Lodge. After removing their climbing gear, competitors descend through bumps and glades to arrive at the base area ﬁ nish. “The race team concept is a perfect way to encourage camaraderie and collaboration more than competition, but let’s face it—some of us love to compete,” says Kim Miller, Scarpa’s CEO. To sign up for the Uphill/Downhill Challenge, go to siasnowshow.com/uphilldownhill.

Nordic Demo at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Occurring simultaneously with the W inter Park demo is the Nordic Demo, which returns to the scenic Devil’ s Thumb Ranch and is held in partnership with the Cross Country Ski Areas Association. The demo provides the opportunity for retailers to meet, mingle and ski with key principals from all the top N ordic brands, to keep their ﬁnger on the pulse of the market, and of course to test all the latest and greatest gear . The gathering features more brands, mo dels and sizes than any other Nordic demo in the country, and Devil’ s Thumb is a premiere cross country center that provides the perfect testing environment. “Love connecting with all the people,” says MaryLou Lowrie, a 2011 attendee from the Rangeley Lakes T rails Center in Maine. “Loved demoing all the skis and trying everything. The venue is superb. The Nordic Demo helped us make a decision to add a new element (skate) to our rentals. W e’re small, yet the investment to come here was totally worth it.”

Free lift ticket offer returns for SIA Show attendees

For the third year running, SIA and Colorado Ski Country USA have partnered to offer attendees of the 2012 Snow Show free or 2-for-1 lift ticket vouchers from 21 participating CSCUSA member resorts. Lift vouchers will be valid for five days following the Snow Show, from Jan. 30 through Feb. 3. “It’s a fantastic way for Show attendees to explore Colorado, visit some place they haven’t been before, discover the variety of terrain we have here, and get a thorough sampling of our snowy winter goods,” says Melanie Mills, President of CSCUSA. There are two separate voucher offers IT HAPPENS HERE: accompanying Show badges: Snow Show The SIA Snow Buyers will receive three free lift ticket Show and On-Snow vouchers and all Snow Show Attendees will Demo/Ski-Ride receive three 2-for-1 vouchers. Present the Fest. Check out voucher at a participating resort ticket ofwhy we go... fice and ski or ride away. Participating resorts include Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Howelsen, Loveland, Monarch Mountain, Powderhorn, Purgatory (Durango), Ski Cooper, Snowmass, SolVista Basin, Steamboat, Sunlight, Telluride, Winter Park, and Wolf Creek Ski Area.

snewsnet.com SNOW SHOW PREVIEW

A snowsports industry initiative in partnership with this publication.

01.30 - 31, 2012 ON-SNOW DEMO / SKI-RIDE FEST

IN AN INDUSTRY THAT’S ALL ABOUT EXPERIENCE,

of trade show there is no better way to follow up four days on the mountain than with an on-snow demo test. Get out backcountry, with gear from over 200 ski, snowboard, AT, g out product, cross country and snowshoe brands. If tryin rest of us isn’t skiing/riding and mixing on snow with the sportation, enough to get you there, free lift tickets, tran rtainment are breakfasts, lunches, happy hours and ente all included in your $10 registration fee.

SIASNOWSHOW.COM

Ski & Snowboard/Winter Park Resort · · · · · · · · · ·

MONDAY, JANUARY 30 Breakfast Demo Lunch Ofﬁce Booyz & Girlz Uphill/Downhill Happy Hour & Awards 2 Mile High BBQ

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 Breakfast Demo Lunch

Nordic/Devil’s Thumb Ranch

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 Nordic Market Overview Welcome Reception

· ·

· · · · · · · · ·

In partnership with the WWSRA Rocky Mountain Demo

MONDAY, JANUARY 30 Breakfast Nordic Demo Lunch Clinics Nordic Aprés Ski

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 Breakfast Nordic Demo Lunch Clinics

In conjunction with Cross Country Ski Areas Association

3)! $%.6%2 7!2%(/53% 3/,54)/. SIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Members-Only warehouse makes move out easy and ensures a smooth, worry-free entrance back into the Show in 2013 and includes these year-round beneďŹ ts. SIA SHOW MOVE-OUT

In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic environment, everyone needs an edge. As your partner, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our job at SIA to help the industry find and maintain that edge. SIA Research offers an incredible range of reports and data designed to give you industry insights that will help you make smarter decisions to grow your business. Take a look at some of our top reports. RETAILTRAKâ&#x201E;˘ & CROSS-INDUSTRY RETAILTRAKâ&#x201E;˘

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PRE-SHOW PREP

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'2%!4 2!4%3 s %8#,53)6% "%.%&)43 3!&% 3%#52% s 9%!2 2/5.$ !##%33 CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL SALES MANAGER FOR DETAILS: 8&45&3/ ] %"7& 83": D F %8SBZ!TOPXTQPSUT PSH

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SIA and the Leisure Trends Group have worked together for over 30 years, providing the snow sports industry with exclusive retail market data detailed down to the model level for virtually all apparel, accessories and equipment sold in the snow sports market. SIA Members get free access to the RetailTRAKâ&#x201E;˘ and Cross-Industry RetailTrakâ&#x201E;˘ Dynamic Portals offering Topline Data and significantly reduced member rates for Brand Share Data for the many business situations that call for a deeper level of market data that measures sales at the brand and model level. SIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RetailTRAKâ&#x201E;˘ Brand Share Reports subscription provides this level of data for six categories including: Alpine, Snowboard, Nordic, Apparel, Equipment Accessories, Apparel Accessories and a total of 36 product segments. The Cross-Industry RetailTRAKâ&#x201E;˘ Topline Reports and Dynamic Portal in addition to snow sports data, provide access to monthly data in the Snow Sports*, Outdoor*, Running*, Paddle Sports* and Athletic Apparel* outdoor/leisure market segments. (*regional sales available)

SNOW SPORTS MARKET INTELLIGENCE REPORTS The Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report is the most comprehensive report on snow sports sales, participation, and overall trends available in the snow sports market. It gives an unprecedented quantitative review of the most recent snow sports season. Three Report Versions Are Available: Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Total Market, Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Kids.

SNOW SPORTS PARTICIPATION REPORT This report measures participation and participant demographics in the following winter sport disciplines: Alpine Skiing, Telemark Skiing, Freestyle Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing and Nordic Skiing.

SIA SALES AND ORDERS SURVEYS

WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE SOCIAL.

SIA Sales and Orders Surveys are conducted by Sports Marketing Surveys USA, with data submitted by participating SIA Member companies. Information is collected/coded by a CPA firm and is strictly confidential. These Surveys are only available to SIA companies that submit data.

SNOW SPORTS INSIDERS Snow Sports Insiders is an online consumer research survey system that enables SIA to examine, changing consumer behaviors, attitudes and perceptions. Hosted on www. snowsportsinsiders.com, Snow Sports Insiders panel members are pre-recruited U.S. residents, 16 years or older, that participate in snow sports. Snow Sports Insiders panel studies can be customized to meet your needs.

UNIFORM SURVEY Released each November, the results allow SIA to measure trends in uniform purchases and provide uniform suppliers and their sales reps with individual buyers at resorts.

STAY CONNECTED. FIND US ON

RENTAL EQUIPMENT SURVEY Released each November, it also contains a list of more than 150 qualified rental equipment leads with full contact information.

Contact SIA Research at 703.556.9020 for information on other SIA Research products including: â&#x20AC;şâ&#x20AC;ş

Model for Success

â&#x20AC;şâ&#x20AC;ş Cost of Doing Business and Compensation Studies

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AT THE SHOWS

/ WHO & WHERE

Exhibitor Lists

More than 900 brands on display at the Show (as of Dec. 15, 2011; subject to change). Company

Booth #

686 ..................................... 3213 180s LLC........................... 1555 1Love.org ............................ 206 10th Mountain Division Foundation 32 DegreesLLC ................. 658 3point5.com.................... 2529 4FRNT Skis, LLC ............ 4233 5150 Snowboards ........ 3914 540 Snowboards .............. 702 AAS - Anomaly Action Sports Inc ....... 3935 ACADEMY Snowboard Co. .............. 3713 adidas Outdoor ............. 1166 Advanced Racking Systems........ 4346 Aerial 7................................. 912 AFRC-Outdoor Gear, Inc. ....................... 2755 Airblaster ......................... 3912 Alpina Sports Corp. ...... 2774 Alpine Valet™ ................. 3358 AMATERRACE Inc .......... 333 Ambler ................................. 747 American Paper and Plastic Co ........................ 573 Anakie Outerwear .......... 419 Analog Clothing............. 2913 Anarchy Eyewear ......... 1311 Anon Optics .................... 1918 Apex Sports Group LLC3890 Arbor ................................. 1619 Arc’teryx Equipment Inc ............ 1339 Arctix ................................. 2468 Armada ............................. 4229 Arnette ............................. 3607 ARVA ................................. 4590 Ashbury Eyewear ............ 517 Aspire Brands LLC ........... 745 Astis Mittens .................. 2566 Athalon Sportgear, Inc. ............ 4261 Atlas Snow-Shoe Co. ... 3832 Atomic USA, Inc ............ 4155 Auclair Sports, Inc ........ 1355 AYG-All Year Gear ........ 2347 Backcountry Access, Inc.................... 3378 BackCountry Experience ...................... 4615 Backshop + Rental + Uniform......................... 4677 Backside Clothing Company ...................... 4308 Banshee Bungee .............. 510 Bataleon ........................... 3107 Bearded Apparel.............. 421 BEARPAW ....................... 1032

Company

Booth #

Bergans of Norway ......... 758 Bern Unlimited Inc ....... 2119 Betty Rides ......................... 317 Billabong USA ................ 3619 Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. .............. 3428 Black Diamond Sportswear ..................... 742 Blizzard Sport................. 3778 Blue Bird Social Zone ..... 303 Bogs Footwear.................. 948 Bolle’ ..................................... 528 Bon Hiver Inc.................. 2107 Bonfire Snowboarding Company ...................... 2902 Bonnier Mountain Group ............................. 3751 Booster Strap ................. 3472 Boulder Gear .................. 2755 Bounceboards, LLC ......... 214 brandbase Inc .................... 328 Brandwise ........................ 3745 Bridgedale ....................... 3365 Briko .................................. 3560 Buff Inc................................. 311 BULA ................................. 1028 Burton Snowboards ....1913/2513 Buzrun Snowboards ....... 702 C3........................................ 2919 Camtrol................................ 316 Canada Goose ................... 536 CandyGrind .................... 1108 CAPiTA Snowboarding3219 Capix .................................. 3702 Carrera ............................. 4274 Causwell ........................... 3837 Celerant Technology Corporation.................... 938 CelsiusSnow USA, Inc......................... 1715 CenterStone Technologies, Inc. ...... 1964 CEP Compression Sportswear ..................... 664 Chaos................................. 2456 Cheetah Factory Racing (CFR) ............... 1908 COAL Headwear........... 2919 ColdDist LLC .................. 2319 COLDPRUF Base Layer 746 Colorado Ski Country USA............... 1747 Colorado Ski Country USA Central Lounge & Food Court .............. 2132 Contour ............................ 4528 Contract Snowboards.... 314 COREUPT.COM ............ 4231 CoVelo Clothing Inc ..... 1163

SNOW SHOW PREVIEW snewsnet.com

Company

Booth #

Crash Pads ....................... 2156 crazeeHeads inc ............... 946 Crescent Moon Snowshoes ................... 3733 Croakies ........................... 1136 CSA - Leggett & Platt .. 4135 CTR (Chaos Thermal Regulation) .................. 2456 Cushe Footwear ............ 1350 CW-X, Wacoal Sports Science Corp. 2941 DAKINE ............................ 2519 Dalbello Sports LLC ..... 4177 Dale of Norway, Inc......... 773 Darn Tough Vermont... 2290 DC Shoes, Inc ................. 2102 Deeluxe............................. 3920 Demon Snow .................. 2209 Dermatone ...................... 3174 Descente North America, Inc ................... 345 Devils Thumb Ranch ...... 371 Dinosaurs Will Die Snowboards ........... 910 Discrete Headwear...... 3267 DNA ...................................... 345 Dot Dash .......................... 1110 Double Diamond Sportswear ..................... 742 DownUnders Footbeds....................... 3842 DPS SKIS .......................... 2962 Dragon Alliance ............. 1519 Drake ................................. 3202 Dregs Distribution/ Indoboard .................... 2219 Drop MFG ....................... 3034 DRYGUY LLC.................. 2453 Dye Precision .................... 515 Dynafit and Salewa ...... 3164 Dynastar Skis ................. 3770 EC3D Sports ...................... 950 Echelon Snowboards... 4207 Eggbar-Vise, LLC ........... 3948 Eider................................... 1039 EIRA ................................... 4624 Eisbar USA.......................... 947 Elan Blanc ........................ 1749 Elan Skis ........................... 2774 Electric Visual ................... 619 ELM CO ............................ 1511 EMERGE Snowboards 1810 EMSCO Group ............... 2150 Endeavor/Air Hole .......... 908 Entity Tall Tees ............... 4211 Epic Pass.............................. 766 Erica Molinari .................... 564 Erik SportsWhiteWoods .............. 3576 Erin Snow ......................... 1263

Company

Booth #

Eurosocks International 934 EVEREST AMERICA....... 669 Expand A Sign USA ...... 4210 Faction Skis ..................... 4237 Fast Strap ......................... 2940 FATE Clothing ................... 969 Fat-ypus Skis .................. 3361 FedEx/FedEx Office ..... 4619 Fera International Corp................................ 1168 Firehouse LLC ................... 513 Fischer Skis US .............. 4568 Fits Sock Co .................... 2464 Five Seasons ................... 1735 Flow Sport Inc/ Flow Snowboarding . 2921 Flux Binding Systems .. 3716 FlyLow Gear.................... 3169 Footbalance System Inc 223 Forum ................................... 919 Foursquare ......................... 919 Fox 40 International Inc ........ 3471 Fox River Mills, Inc. ...... 2564 Frends ............................... 1717 FTWO Snowboards ........ 702 Full Tilt Boots ................. 3858 Function ........................... 4576 G3 Genuine Guide Gear Inc......................... 3371 Gabel Sports Group (North America) Inc . 3560 Garmont NA, Inc ........... 3365 Geiger of Austria Inc ... 1775 GHEEK .............................. 2425 Girl Powder, Inc ............. 1608 Giro Sport Design ......... 3728 Glowboardz, LLC ............. 512 GNU ................................... 1307 Goldwin ............................ 1733 GOODE Ski Technologies ............... 3356 GoPro ................................... 319 Gordini USA, Inc............ 2834 Gorski Group .................. 1258 Grabber Inc. .................... 4161 Grandoe............................ 2836 Grangers .......................... 3373 Grenade Inc .................... 3907 G-Shock ............................... 511 H2O Outdoor Gear...... 4305 Halti Oy ............................... 565 Happy Goat Lucky ........ 1558 Hart Ski Corporation... 2971 Head Wintersports ...... 3155 Heat Factory Inc ........... 2791 Hell is for Heroes .......... 1564 Helly Hansen (US) Inc . 1755 Helmet Band-ITS .......... 2451 HESTRA

Company

Booth #

GLOVES, LLC .............. 2160 High Sierra Sport Co. .. 3747 High Society Freeride Company LLC ............. 3917 Highgear........................... 3373 Highland Trading Company/Sportube.. 2890 Holden .............................. 3419 Holmenkol.US ................ 4357 hOme Swiss Watches . 3015 Homeschool Snowboarding ............ 3211 Horizon Agency, Inc Outdoor Sports Insurance” .................... 2790 Hot Chillys ....................... 3350 Hotfingers Gloves ........ 1776 Hotronic USA, Inc ......... 3355 House of Marley............... 703 i.N.i. Cooperative ............. 206 Icebreaker USA ................ 542 Icelandic Design ............... 559 Icelantic Skis ................... 3563 Impact Canopies USA . 3266 Implus Corporation ..... 3373 INA International, Ltd. ................................. 3502 Itasca Footwear by C.O. Lynch Enterprises ............ 734 Jacob Ash/Schuessler .... 750 Jambu ................................... 593 Jones Snowboards ....... 2910 Joshua Tree Skin Care ... 591 Joystick ............................. 3837 K2 Skis .............................. 3929 K2 Snowboarding ......... 3922 Kali Protectives ............. 4213 Kamik div of Genfoot America.......... 570 Karbon ................................. 175 Karvena Helmets and Goggles .................... 314 Kastle GmbH .................. 3775 Khombu ............................ 1373 Killtec NA Inc. ................ 2168 Killy .................................... 1042 Kiss My Face LLC .......... 1490 KJUS USA ........................... 576 KLINT ................................ 4339 KneeBinding, Inc. .......... 3570 Kombi Ltd. ....................... 3050 Komperdell ..................... 3773 Krimson Klover ............. 1348 Kuhl Clothing ................. 2164 Kulkea, LLC...................... 3675 KUUsport Mfg. Ltd....... 4163 KVZ Sports, LLC ............ 1035 Kwik Tek, Inc. .................. 3847 La Sportiva N.A. Inc...... 4246 Lamar.................................... 506

Company

Booth #

LandYachtz...................... 1707 Lange Ski Boots ............. 3770 Launch Pad ...................... 3742 Launch Snowboards .... 4513 Laundromat .................... 1161 Lazer Sport ...................... 4516 L-Bow Mittens................... 952 Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month........................................... Leisure Trends Group . 1750 LEKI USA, Inc ................. 3160 Lib Tech ............................. 1507 Lib Tech NAS (Skis!) ..... 4235 Liberty Mountain.......... 2970 Liberty Skis...................... 3855 Life-Link............................ 3365 Line Skis............................ 3655 Liquid Boardwear ......... 4107 Liquid Image Co, LLC ... 2421 Little Hotties Warmers3373 LODGESOXX™ ................. 673 Loki ..................................... 1364 Long Advance International Co, Ltd 1368 Lorpen North America Inc ................. 1764 LTD Snowboards .............. 506 Lucky Bums Inc .............. 2770 M. Miller .............................. 962 Madshus ........................... 3732 Majesty Skis ....................... 314 Mammut Sports Group USA................... 3368 Manzella Products ....... 3134 Mariner Business Solutions .......................... 764 Marker Ltd ......................... 255 Marker Sport and Travel Bags................... 4165 Marker USA .................... 4557 Marmot Mountain, LLC ............ 1446 MasterFit Enterprises 3739 MeCo Designs................ 1464 Megaphone US .............. 1559 Mental ............................... 1774 Mervin Manufacturing 1307 MFD ................................... 4503 Millennium Three (M3)3502 Mitchie’s Matchings ....... 373 Molehill Mt. Equipment, Inc ... 2090 Moment Skis ................... 4239 Montana Sport North America Inc ................. 3942 Moon Boot ...................... 3678 Moon Shadow ................ 2456 Morrow Snowboards .. 3922 Mount Tec Gloves ......... 2960 Mountain

Note: Listings as of 12.15.11

Company

Booth #

Hardwear, Inc ............. 1046 Mountain Shades .......... 3434 Mountain Uniforms ........ 632 MTN Approach .............. 3921 NARGEAR .......................... 216 National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association (NSSRA) 4577 Nation’s Best Sports (NBS)................... 267 Native Eyewear ............. 3142 NEFF .................................. 3206 Neve Designs ................. 1746 Never Summer Industries ..................... 1513 New Wave Enviro Products ......... 4355 Niche Snowboards ....... 1607 Nidecker USA, Inc......... 2910 Nike .................................... 3622 NILS.................................... 1742 Nirvanna Designs ............ 762 Nitro Snowboards ........... 907 Nobis ................................. 2809 Nomis ........................................... Nordica USA ................... 4169 Northside by Triple T Trading Ltd .. 1669 Northwave ...................... 3202 NOW Snowboarding ... 2910 NXTZ ................................. 2423 Oakley Inc ........................ 1328 ON3P Skis ....................... 4578 Oneballjay ....................... 1412 O’Neill ............................... 1522 OneUP .............................. 1312 Optic Nerve .................... 3434 ORAGE ............................. 1728 Ortovox USA Inc ........... 3167 OSBE USA Inc ................ 3245 Outdoor Research........... 739 Outdoor Technology ...... 623 Outer Edge Industries 4515 OZ Snowboards................ 211 Pajar ................................... 1468 Parajumpers ................... 1564 Patagonia Inc. ................. 1823 Paul Frank Skis & Snowboards ................ 4343 Pepper’s Performance Eyeware, Inc ................ 3424 Peter Grimm Headwear .................... 2915 Phase 4 Imports ............ 1367 Pieps ................................. 2970 Pinnacle Designs........... 2568 PISTIL ................................ 2254 Planet Earth Clothing . 4120 POC USA LLC ................. 1023 point6 LLC ....................... 1451 Poivre Blanc .................... 3042 POLARMAX.................... 2347 POW Gloves ................... 2208 Powderhorn .................... 1751 Precision Mountainwear / Helix Snowboardwear 748 Promotive.com .............. 2529

Company

Booth #

ProRider ........................... 1713 Pro-Tec .............................. 3408 PSIA-AASI ........................ 3974 PTL Enterprises ................ 569 Pull-In ................................ 1346 Pulse .................................. 1223 Pyour Performance Sport Tights ................. 2452 Quickpoles, LLC............. 3737 Quiksilver Inc ................. 1202 R.E.D. ................................. 1919 Rab ..................................... 3571 Rawik ................................. 2755 RC Products ....................... 315 Recco Systems Ltd .......Foyer Reclaim Project ............. 3317 Recon Instruments Inc .. 423 Redfeather Snowshoes3580 Regina Imports LLC ..... 1573 Rep The Zip ........................ 422 reusch SnowSports ...... 2250 Ride Snowboards .......... 3715 Ripzone / Powder Room .............................. 4216 Roces USA, Inc ............... 4174 Rocky Mountain Sunscreen .................... 2528 Rocky Mountain Underground RMU .. 4356 Rome Snowboard Design Syndicate ......... 915 Rossignol .......................... 3765 Rossignol Apparel ........ 3861 Roxa North America .... 3458 Roxy ................................... 1502 Ruffolo Enterprises, Inc .......... 2527 S4® Optics ...................... 1313 Sabine Sommeregger ..... 566 SABRE ............................... 2310 Salomon Snowboards . 2502 Salomon USA.................. 4147 SCARPA North America, Inc. ............... 3171 Schure Sports U.S.A., Inc ......................... 175 Scott Sports .................... 3037 Screamer ............................. 755 Sector 9 ............................ 3406 Seirus Innovation.......... 2844 Serengeti Eyewear .......... 528 Sessions LLC ................... 2507 Shenzhen Pengyifa Industrial Co LTD ......... 331 Shifty .................................... 592 Shred Optics ................... 3935 Shred Ready Inc ............... 312 Sidas ................................... 4572 SKEA, LTD........................ 2469 Ski Kare, Inc .................... 3578 Ski Retriever ................... 3666 Ski Tops/Chaos/ Moon Shadow/CTR .. 2456 SKIHOOKUPS Inc ........ 3579 SKILOGIK ........................ 3863 SkiMetrix, Ltd................. 3472 SkiSkootys ....................... 3390

Company

Booth #

Skullcandy, Inc. .............. 2202 SlayerNation LLC .......... 2207 Slide-On............................ 3472 Slytech Protection ....... 3935 SmartWool Corporation................. 2763 Smith Optics ................... 2828 Smokin’ Snowboards ... 2307 Snapdry ............................ 3355 Sno Life, LLC ...................... 738 Sno Skins Inc ...................... 966 Snow Angel ........................ 942 Snow Dragons ................ 2755 Snow Show Daily ............. 264 SnowFab........................... 4339 Snowjam LLC ..................... 702 SOS Outreach ........................... SOS-Sportswear of Sweden.......................... 1737 Soul Poles......................... 4574 SP3i Sports ...................... 4245 Spacecraft........................ 2807 Spark R&D ....................... 1807 Special Blend ..................... 919 Spice Snowboards ........... 702 SpiritHoods ..................... 1657 Sport Obermeyer Ltd. . 2173 Sportcaster Company, Inc .............. 1223 Sports Accessories America Inc ................. 2760 Sportube .......................... 2890 Spy Optic, Inc. ................ 3707 Spyder Active Sports, Inc. ................... 1175 Spyderco .......................... 3860 STANCE ............................ 1813 Steez Gear LLC ................. 222 Stepchild Snowboards 3902 Stockli Ski USA .............. 3363 Storm Creek Apparel .. 1569 Strap Pad LLC ................. 2908 Stylesight ............................ 193 Subaru of America, Inc .. 531 Sun Valley Ski Tools Inc3844 Sunbelt® Optic.............. 2125 Suncloud Polarized Optics ............................ 2827 Sunice ................................ 1766 Superfeet Worldwide Inc.............. 2560 Surface Skis ..................... 3837 Swany ................................ 1777 Sweet Turns LLC ........... 1659 Swix Sport USA, Inc ..... 3174 Tailfish Sports .................... 212 Technine ...................................... Tecnica USA .................... 3778 Terramar Sports Inc ........ 723 The North Face.............. 4219 The Program ...................... 919 The Soze Group ............. 4572 Therm-IC.......................... 4572 Thirty-Two Boots .......... 1909 Thorlo Inc......................... 1561 Thule Inc........................... 3374 TOKO ................................ 3190

Company

Booth #

Tomahawk International .................. 420 Toyota Tsusho Corporation.................... 630 Transpack......................... 3146 TransWorld Media .......... 302 Trespass USA..................... 261 TREW ................................ 1611 Tubbs Snowshoes ......... 3833 Turbine Boardwear ......... 706 Turtle Fur Group ........... 1155 UCLEAR ........................... 4674 Ugg Australia .................. 1051 Under Armour - MTN .... 728 Union Binding ................ 3016 Unity Snowboard Manufacturing LLC .. 2916 Uvex ................................... 3174 Vail Resorts Inc ................. 766 Vans.................................... 3612 Venture Snowboards .. 1711 VestPac ................................ 310 Vew-Do Balance Boards .............................. 307 Vintage Winter .............. 2490 VIRUS Action Sport Performance ...... 313 VIST North America .... 1361 Vittoria Industries North America ........... 3202 Voile Splitboards........... 1710 Voile-USA ........................ 3269 Volcom ................................. 710 Volkl ................................... 4566 Volkl Performance Wear .............................. 4566 VonZipper........................ 1012 VR2 Distribution Inc ... 1733 White Sierra ...................... 555 Wigwam Mills, Inc ........ 2460 Wind X-treme America, LLC ............... 4218 Winter Trails .............................. Wintersteiger Inc. ........ 3342 Wrong Gear Inc ................ 603 Yaktrax.............................. 3373 Yeah For It Distribution............. 2907 YES Now Board ............. 2910 Zanheadgear & Bobster Eyewear.......... 911 ZDAR Boot USA ............... 567 Zeal Optics ...................... 3223 Zeon Corporation......... 2108 Zero rh+............................... 769 Zero/The Fairfield Line1351 Ziener ................................ 1733

On-Snow Demo/ Ski-Ride Fest WINTER PARK: ALPINE/SNOWBOARD Thirty-Two Boots 4FRNT Skis

540 Snowboard Aerial 7 APEX Ski Boots Arbor Armada Skis Atomic USA Bataleon Snowboards Bern Unlimited Black Diamond Equipment Blizzard Bolle’ Burton Capita Snowboards Carrera Helmets and Goggles CelsiusSnow USA Contour Wearable Camcorder Contract Snowboards Dahlgren Dalbello AT Dalbello Ski Boots DC Deeluxe DPS Skis Dragon Alliance Dynafit Dynastar Skis Dye Precision Optics Elan Electric Visual Endeavor Snowboards Faction Skis Fischer Skis U.S. FK/SKS Tools (Ruffolo Enterprises) Flow Snowboarding Flux Bindings Forum Full Tilt Boots G3 Genuine Guide Gear Garmont GeigerRig Giro Helmets & Goggles Gnu GOODE Skis & Poles GoPro H2O Outdoor Gear (H2OG) Hart Skis Head Wintersports High Society Freeride Icelantic Skis Jones Snowboards “K2 Helmets, Goggle, Poles” K2 Skis K2 Snowboarding Karvena Helmet’s & Goggles Kastle Skis Kerma Ski Poles KLINT La Sportiva N.A. Lange Ski Boots LEKI USA Lib Tech Lib Tech NAS (Skis!) Line Skis Liquid Image Summit Series

Look Bindings Majesty Skis Marker AT (Marker USA) Marker Bindings (Marker USA) MOD/MOD Live Moment Skis Native Eyewear Never Summer Snowboards Niche Snowboards Nitro Snowboards Nordica NOW Snowboarding Oakley OSBE USA Helmets OZ Snowboards POC Helmets & Goggles Point6 Socks Pro-Tec Recon Instruments R.E.D Ride Snowboards Rossignol Alpine Rossignol Snowboards Roxy Snow Salomon USA Salomon Helmets & Goggles Salomon Snowboards Sandbox Helmets SCARPA Scott Shred Helmets/ Goggles Shred Ready Signal Snowboards SKILOGIK Skullcandy Smith Optics Smokin’ Snowboards Snowjam Spice Snowboards Spy Optic Sun Valley Ski Tools Superfeet Worldwide Tecnica Tubbs Snowshoes Tyrolia Union Bindings Unity Snowboards Vans Venture Snowboards Voile USA Volkl AT/Tele Volkl USA Von Zipper Wigwam Socks YES Snowboards DEVIL’S THUMB: NORDIC DEMO Alpina Sports Corp Atlas Snowshoes Atomic Nordic Fischer Skis XC Rossignol Nordic Madshus Salomon Nordic Swix Sport USA

snewsnet.com SNOW SHOW PREVIEW

Fringe

Pipestar

SKIING: “KLIИT, which debuts this year, looks like a sophisticated newcomer to the indie scene, one with considerable action-sports marketing fire power behind it.”

FREESKIER: “KLIИT made a statement this year by coming into the game with two Editor’s Picks.”

SKIING (FRINGE): “… is a solid effort for a freshman company. It’s damp and aggressive and likes to go fast, with a GS-y sidecut that engages tip to tail and holds infallibly.”

FREESKIER (PIPESTAR): “It’s an overall awesome ski. It’s great for jumps and rails, has a sweet sidecut, is pretty playful, super light, quick and is filled with energy off jumps and groomers.”

1st year, 3 magazine tests, 3 skis, 4 top picks! At

we think product first.

With over 60 years of manufacturing experience behind us, we are increasing brand awareness through a comprehensive sports marketing strategy. KLINT continues to prove its quality and performance on snow with the industry’s best skiers. We are more than a niche brand. KLINT offers a wide range of skis to all skier types, ages and levels. And we aren’t sitting still... At SIA in 2012 we will introduce 7 new models! We invite you to come and take a look at booth #4339 or call 619-876-5060 for more information.

Pure POWDER: “Stable and fun, the PURE is ready to tackle almost anything that a wild-eyed park-builder puts in front of it.” FREESKIER: “A full birch wood core, slanted sidewall construction and a symmetrical sidecut translate into durability, smooth flow while riding and balance in the air and on landings.”