Archive for the ‘Cross Country Skiing’ Category

SPOILER ALERT!

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

Emily O’Hara releases a few statistics from the Women’s Report coming out later this evening.

  • Alpine equipment still dominates the women’s equipment category, making up 68% of their equipment purchases; second to alpine is snowboard with 27% of equipment sales.
  • Women’s snow sports products sold over $940 million in the 2010/2011 season.
  • Snowshoeing has the highest percentage of women participants with 46% to men’s 54%.
  • The majority of female alpine skiers are between the ages of 25 and 34 (20.5%).
  • Women seek out all mountain snowboards. This season they sold 43,297 units – 54% more than freestyle snowboards.
  • Thirty-four percent of women cross country skiers report household incomes of $100K or more.

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SIA Check In from David Ingemie and a Look Back at the State of the Industry

Monday, September 19th, 2011

And we’re off! Following a record-breaking 2010/2011 Season, it’s time to talk about what we all did right (including the weather) so we can continue to grow the snow sports market.

Every year since 1954, growing the sport and helping our industry remain strong is what SIA strives to do. From our cost saving Member Benefits, the Snow Show, to consumer initiatives like Snowlink.com, Winter Trails, Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month and World Snowboard Day, to exclusive Research and industry collaboration hosting meetings with sales reps, retailers, resorts, organizations, we remain focused. 

As a member-owned, non-profit trade association, we work to recognize the challenges facing the snow sports market. New this year, we’ve analyzed last season’s data presented in the SIA Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report and produced a State of the Industry video designed to help us all get a more complete picture of our marketplace and customer. Take a look, share it with your staff and use it as a tool to prompt conversations about strategic planning and projections to lead us to another successful season. Also find category videos for Alpine, Snowboard and Nordic featuring stats specific to each.

As we head off into winter, let’s remember the role we each play in the continued growth and development of snow sports. Strength and vitality are built on collaboration, innovation and the undeniable passion we all share. We, at SIA, look forward to working with you this season, seeing you at the Show, in the field or on the mountain. Don’t ever hesitate to get in touch with me at David.Ingemie@snowsports.org or contact any of the SIA Staff.

One final and important note, as we get back to the business of snow, please think of our friends in the snow sports industry who have been affected by the brutal weather on the east coast and New England and the fires out west.

With another La Niña winter just announced, here’s to a heck of a season!

David Ingemie
SIA President

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Posted in Cross Country Skiing, Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, Nordic On-Snow Demo, RetailTRAK, SIA Snow Show, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowlink.com, Snowshoe, Winter Trails | 1 Comment »

Nickelodeon’s Eighth Annual Worldwide Day of Play to Combine With First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” Campaign and The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition in Its Biggest Celebration of Play Ever, Live From Washington, D.C.’s Ellipse Saturday, September 24

Monday, September 12th, 2011

First Lady Featured in Exclusive Event PSA Debuting on Sept. 3
NEW YORK, Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Nickelodeon is joining with the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign and the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition to bring for the first time its flagship Worldwide Day of Play (WWDOP) event to the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., for the biggest celebration of active play in the eight-year history of the initiative. On Saturday, Sept. 24, Nickelodeon and its partners will host an entire day of activities and games for kids and their families to encourage active and healthy lifestyles. Additionally, as it has for the past seven years, Nickelodeon’s networks and websites will go dark from 12 to 3 p.m. (all times ET/PT) as a signal to kids and families to get up and get active.

“Kids need to get moving every day to grow up healthy and strong,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “Whether it’s hoola hooping, kicking around a soccer ball or – yes – double dutching, playing is the perfect way to keep active, stay healthy and have fun.”

“First Lady Michelle Obama and the President’s Council have shown admirable leadership in raising awareness about the importance of kids and families living healthier and more active lifestyles,” added Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Nickelodeon. “We share the same passion for that message, and at Nick we hope to continue to inspire action through Worldwide Day of Play and The Big Help.”

In the weeks leading up to WWDOP, First Lady Michelle Obama will be featured in an exclusive PSA to raise awareness for the event and the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) Challenge. In the spot, speaking from the White House lawn, Mrs. Obama encourages kids to get active an hour a day to earn the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award and asks families to celebrate at Nickelodeon’s WWDOP with her in Washington, D.C. The spot, which bows on Nickelodeon and its digital networks (TeenNick, Nicktoons and Nick Jr.) on Sept. 3, also features the First Lady jumping double dutch with D.C.-area kids to highlight the importance of play.

Kids in every state across the U.S. and in 12 countries worldwide are expected to participate in Nickelodeon’s WWDOP at the more than 3,000 local events anticipated. Launched in 2002, WWDOP is part of Nickelodeon’s The Big Help health and wellness efforts, which include grants programs, public service announcements, websites, games and more. Millions of kids have participated in WWDOP and Nickelodeon’s other initiatives that promote healthier lifestyles. The Big Help campaign is a kid-led movement for positive change that focuses on four key issues: the environment, education, health and wellness and community service. For more information about Nickelodeon’s WWDOP, visit http://www.nick.com/thebighelp/road-to-wwdop.html. Click on resources for WWDOP event planning materials.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Nickelodeon

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Posted in Cross Country Skiing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoe | 2 Comments »

LA NIÑA COULD GIVE US TWO IN A ROW

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

The 2010/11 season was record breaking in sales, participation, snowfall, and in the number of days we could ski and ride because of a weather condition known as La Niña.  In fact, most of the variance in sales and participation can be explained by weather conditions.  La Niña conditions are characterized by a strong, northerly storm track that brings heavier than average snowfall and colder than average temperatures to the northern half of the U.S. This season, national snowfall totals were 28% above average.  Having two seasons in a row with conditions so conducive to winter sports is rare, but we could be on the verge of just such a phenomena.  According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data, the last time that happened was between 1998 and 2000; three straight winters of La Niña conditions. During those years, participation was on the rise. It’s possible that we could break records again next season if La Niña conditions return.

Snow Sports Participation 1998 - 2010

Source:  National Sporting Goods Association Snow Sports Report 1998 – 2010

Here is what NOAA is saying about the possibility of another La Niña winter in 2011/12:

“Forecasts from a majority of the ENSO models indicate ENSO-neutral will continue into the Northern Hemisphere fall 2011. However, over the last couple of weeks, forecasts created by the NCEP Climate Forecast System (CFS) have begun to indicate the re-emergence of La Niña during Northern Hemisphere fall 2011. Combined with the recent weakening of the positive subsurface ocean anomalies and the lingering La Niña state of the atmosphere, the possibility of a return to La Niña during the Northern Hemisphere fall 2011 has increased over the past month. However, ENSO-neutral remains most likely into the Northern Hemisphere fall 2011, with most models and all multi-model forecasts (shown by the thick lines) predicting ENSO-neutral to continue through early 2012.” – NOAA, NCEP Climate Prediction Center July 2011

Stay tuned for SIA’s full report on winter weather predictions for 2011/12 in September.  Until then, if you have any questions about winter weather prediction or the weather’s impact on the snow sports market, contact SIA’s Director of Research, Kelly Davis at 703.506.4224 or by email at KDavis@snowsports.org.

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2018 Winter Olympics Go to South Korea

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

By Jere Longman, New York Times

The Winter Olympics were awarded for the first time to South Korea on Wednesday as the alpine resort of Pyeongchang was named as host of the 2018 Games.

 Pyeongchang had been a persistent candidate for a decade, finishing second to Vancouver in voting for the 2010 Games and to Sochi, Russia, for the 2014 Olympics. It built its successful candidacy for 2018 on a proposal to expand access to winter sports in the populous and lucrative Asian market.

The South Korean city won overwhelmingly on the first ballot of a secret vote of delegates of the International Olympic Committee, receiving 63 votes, compared with 25 for Munich and 7 for Annecy, France. Voting took place at a general assembly of the I.O.C. in Durban, South Africa.

“There is maybe a lesson in the achievement of Pyeongchang,” Jacques Rogge, the president of the I.O.C., said at a news conference. “Patience and perseverance have prevailed.”

Pyeongchang will be the third Asian city to host the Winter Games, after Sapporo, Japan, in 1972 and Nagano, Japan, in 1998. Its budget for 2018 was far greater than the other bids — $1.5 billion for the actual Games and $2 billion to $6 billion for infrastructure projects, according to news reports, as Pyeongchang seeks to become a regional winter sports hub.

Read more here.

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SIA’s Snowlink.com = THE Source For Everything Snow

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Linking consumers and media to snow sports. 

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is proud to announce a complete remake, remodel and improvement of the SIA consumer website Snowlink.com. It’s chock full of information for anyone getting started in snow sports or longtime enthusiasts looking to improve their game with tips from the pros, articles on the latest gear, style trends, snow sports product image gallery (coming soon) and links to the industry’s top news. Snowlink.com provides helpful content every consumer can use including the largest online retail/resort database, safety tips, snow sports product directory and events. Also, checkout tweets from some of your favorite snow sports athletes. The site is available to media for basic snow sports information and stats. Continue to visit Snowlink.com for new articles and updates.

“For anyone involved in snow sports, this is a fantastic resource – how to get started, what to wear, where to go, the hottest gear trends – we really pulled it all together to be a one-stop-shop,” commented David Ingemie, SIA’s president. 

Starting at the Snowlink.com homepage, consumers can chose from call-out sections representing a range of snow sports activities: skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. Each section includes articles, specific to that activity, on how to dress, pick the right equipment, what’s new from top brands, tips from the pros, ski/snowboard school and learn to ride listings, etc. Snowlink.com also has a travel section with all of the information to prepare for a trip to the mountains including tips on packing, traveling with gear and shipping skis/snowboards with the Ship Your Gear discount program. 

Snowlink.com’s Gear & Styles on the Snow section is an insider’s guide to snow sports fashion and gear available in snow sports specialty shops right now. This section features some of the latest trends and style in snow sports; including trend articles, product search directory, SIA Member product image gallery and the retailer/resort directory. With these tools consumers can find the latest gear well as a their local ski/snowboard specialty shop before hitting the slopes. The Gear & Styles image gallery, featuring leading brands in snow sports, will launch in January 2011.

Snowlink.com hosts Winter Trails, Winter Feels Good and links to Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month –consumer initiatives with the goal of getting more people on snow. Winter Trails Day takes place on January 8, 2011 at more than 70 participating Nordic centers and public lands facilities offering children and adults an opportunity to try snowshoeing and/or cross country skiing FREE.  Winter Feels Good, an initiative is dedicated to promote the health, fitness and social benefits of snow sports and to teaching “best practices” for learning, is also hosted on the new Snowlink.com and is in midst of a redesign and update. January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, find resorts offering programs and exclusive events to teach children and adults skiing and snowboarding.

Continue to visit Snowlink.com throughout the winter season to keep up to date with the latest in snow sports.

Posted in Cross Country Skiing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowlink.com, Snowshoe, SnowSports Industries America | No Comments »