By: Ed Wray
Eastern Sales & Marketing Manager
April 25, 2013

With the ski season winding down, I thought this might be a good point to look back at an amazing season.

I started this season with three goals; 1. Learn to Telemark.  Mission accomplished.  Now my brother Dave is sending me his old set up to get started.  Next year I’ll be joining a few others for morning skin-ups at Loon.  2. To learn to bi-ski. Mission accomplished.  Having my son Connor teach me was one of the most rewarding things ever.  3. To have more fun than ever. Mission accomplished. I skied/rode with more friends, families, reps, retailers, kids of all ages and smiled the whole time.

Who would have thought I would get four straight powders days over Christmas vacation?  Never happened before, but it was sweet to say the least. I was lucky enough to do an amazing splitboarding trip in Utah with Hutch and the crew from K2.  Going from sea level to 10,000 sucked but it was a great time.  Two days at Winter Park at the SIA demo; priceless.  After four very hectic and busy days in Denver, the opportunity to get out and test next year’s stuff is wonderful.  Winter Park and SIA did it right.  If you’ve never gone to the Winter Park SIA On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest, it’s a must.  You won’t regret it.

Then it’s back to Loon for February break with the family, guess what? More snow= more powder and even more fun.  In one day, I drove from Albany to Stratton and skied at the Stratton Demo. In the morning, I drove back to Rhode Island to avoid winter storm Nemo, then drove to New Hampshire. I was spent; but the next day was epic, actually the next three were epic.

Now it’s March and I had a really great day with Teddy and Leah Schiavoni from Summit Ski Shop; a postcard bluebird day and good snow.  The next week it was another Nor’easter.  This one I skied at Killington with Lee and Cathy Qualia from Aspen East Ski Shop.  Lee and I have been planning this trip for months and every time, something came up; this time we were not going to be denied.  We nailed it! Howling winds and deep powder on fat skis made for another great day.  I drove or rather “bobsledded” back to Loon that day.  Woke up to a perfect morning with fresh light snow… yeah it was Utah light!  It was the single best morning I’ve had at Loon in 30+ years there.

Now I’ve still got one more weekend and a quick trip to Vail before it ends.  However, Tuckerman’s is calling me this year…

By: SIA
April 16, 2013

Telemarker is racking up medals—including gold—at Teva Winter Mountain Games

Telemark skiing is what it’s all about for 24-year-old Christopher Ewart. With an impressive resume that includes a gold medal in the Inaugural Teva Winter Mountain Games Best Trick (Double Front Flip) and many published photos in print and online magazines, Christopher is well on his way to becoming a big name in the Telemark industry. A Colorado native, Christopher loves to represent local brands such as Meier Skis, and works as a full-time EMT in the Vail Valley. 

Which ski do you compete on?
I compete with the “Johnny Ringos” for Park and Pipe, and “The Doc” for Big Mountain.

My other sponsors include: SCARPA, Kind Design, Sweet Protection, and Beaver Creek Resort

Why Meier Skis?
I love the idea of independent companies searching for a better way to make skis. Anybody can make a good ski, but if they’re able to do it with renewable resources, and eco-friendly materials, it’s a huge plus. Pulling dying and downed wood from local forestry means less devastating impact on our environment. Bottom line, Meier makes some of the best skis in the industry, and they make them in the best way possible. I like that.

Q&A:

1. The mountain I learned to ski on was: Nashoba Valley, MA when I was 3 years old

2. I can’t live without: My skis or my dirtbike.

3. My favorite cuisine is: Sour Gummy Worms, beef jerky and orange Gatorade.

4. When I’m not skiing, you can find me: Twisting the throttle at a moto track or just enjoying a tasty beer in the sun.

5. My favorite movie of all time is without question: Dumb and Dumber…Duh! We’re in the Rockies!

6. Who/What inspires you? I try to use other sports as inspiration to innovate my free heel skiing. I’ll pick from snowboarding, motocross, skateboarding or surfing to try and generate ideas to bring to snow on my own skis. I love doing new tricks or variations that nobody has done before, and it’s easy with Telemark, because it’s just starting to get real popular in the freestyle scene.

7. Favorite:

1. Bands: Bluegrass, Reggae, Hip Hop and Dubstep. You name it and it’s on my playlist.
2. Books: I wish I had more interest in reading… but The Hitchhikers Guide to that Galaxy is an awesome book.
3. Vacation Spots: Jackson Hole, Targhee, Moab, Vegas…  I love everywhere I go!

By: Something Independent
The Founders Series
March 22, 2013

There is real – in the put your hands on it, bang it around, send it down a mountain, solid kind of way. And there is genuine, in the identifiable, yet you can’t quite describe it kind of way. You just know it when you see it.

Matt Cudmore is that guy. His solid 6’2” frame indicates the gritty, built-to-last, Rocky Mountain dude that he is. His smile hints to the way of a man who gives more than he will ever take and who lives not by any particular code, but simply by choosing his path, working hard and surrounding himself with good people. This is the heart of Meier Skis.

Matt Cudmore, Meier Skis

Raised in the northern reaches of Idaho, Matt now makes his home at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. It’s the kind of place where you imagine raising a family. Friendly and picturesque, you know most everyone by name – and if you don’t, you still smile and chat as if you do. It’s the kind of place that when you decide to go all in and start building skis out of your one-car garage, that friends and neighbors have your back.

Read More

By: National Geographic
March 20, 2013

These ten North American ski towns may not have the name recognition of the world’s best-known destinations, but that’s just fine with them. These are the local’s favorites, the up-and-comers. They’re real towns, often cheaper and friendlier than the big dogs—at least for now. If you’re on the hunt for great skiing without the crowds and glitz, read on.
—Aaron Teasdale

Ogden, Utah

Best For: Utah powder seekers who don’t like crowds

Long overshadowed by its larger cousin to the south, Ogden sits only 40 miles north of Salt Lake City’s international airport and its two primary mountains—Snowbasin and Powder Mountain—have the same ethereal powder as the heralded resorts in Cottonwood Canyon without the pesky crowds that track everything out by lunch. Spread across the lower flanks of the famed Wasatch Range, Ogden, population 82,825, has recently become a key Rocky Mountain hub for the outdoor industry—Salomon, Atomic, Rossignol, Scott, and Descente all have headquarters here. But its sporty, buttoned-down veneer hides its past life as a rough-and-tumble railroad town and cultural melting pot, a past evident today in its surprising array of ethnic restaurants. The happening scene is on 25th Street downtown, where historic false-front buildings formerly home to brothels and opium dens now house hip bars and eateries. The nearby Salomon Center features indoor skydiving, climbing, and surfing.

Photograph by Steve Lloyd, The New York Times/Redux

Check out more emerging ski towns

By: Malakye.com
March 13, 2013

Josh Walker got his start in the action sports industry as a founding member of Bern Unlimited, a lifestyle company specializing in all-season head protection for non-motorized action sports.

Based in New England, Josh was the first employee of Bern and has served as the brand builder and marketing director since the company’s inception in 2005, holding the title of Brand Manager.

Josh’s main duties for Bern are handling all of the marketing, branding, athletes, events and PR for the company, and admits he works best “in the field, where I can work with the influence makers of the industries we are in.”

“It has been an amazing experience to start a brand and work hard get to where we are at,” stated Josh in an email interview. “We sold our one millionth helmet last year which was epic.”

We got a chance to chat with Josh about his start in the industry and how he has helped grow Bern from starting up less than ten years ago to becoming an industry-leader after filling a major market void.

Read MORE

Minna Casser

March 7, 2013

While the rest of the DC Beltway hunkered down for Wednesday’s Snowquester, SIA’s Elizabeth Hurst and I were enjoying a beautiful powder day at Seven Springs Mountain Resort with Winter Divas, a snow sports industry focus group that brings real women together to test product and write reviews. The day kicked off with a flurry of snow,  chatting with the local Divas over coffee and doughnuts and learning about the women’s skis we were about to demo from the K2 Skis rep, Dave Crosswaite and the Nordica USA, rep Austin Randall. It was the last Winter Diva demo of the season and a warm welcome for SIA.

Once everyone was full of coffee and specs we buckled our boots and jumped on the chair. Jessica, a Winter Diva from Willi’s Ski and Snowboard Shop, took Elizabeth and me on a few of her favorite runs. Between 10a and 2p we demoed every ski available, from K2 Skis’ Superstitious to Nordica’s Hells Belles.

K2 Skis Rep Dave Gets Elizabeth Hurst and Minna Casser Ready to Hit the Slopes on their Women's Superglide Skis

At the end of the day, the Winter Divas met at the K2 tent for a “tailgate” with snacks and libations before an energized product raffle where the most coveted prize was the chance to test K2 skis.

The group was sad that this would be the last on-snow Winter Divas of the season and were already excited about their warm-weather gatherings. Many boasted a perfect Winter Divas attendance, having made it every Wednesday since the first week of January.

This season, the Divas gave useful feedback to Kjerstin of Willi’s Ski and Snowboard Shop about the lack of women’s helmets in large sizes. Kjerstin put their feedback into action and added a couple  larger models to their stores and plan to buy the large in all colors for next season. Brands that have hosted Winter Diva demos can use reviews written by the Divas on their websites and to help assess how they can to improve future products.

Thanks again to all the Winter Divas, Willi’s Ski and Snowboard Shop, K2 Skis, Nordica USA, and Seven Springs for including SIA in such a great day!

SIA's Elizabeth Hurst and Minna Casser with the Winter Divas at Seven Springs

By: The Chill Foundation
February 22, 2013

The 2nd Annual Chill D.C./Baltimore Shred-A-Thon on Sunday, February 24th is your chance to connect with snowboarders and skiers from the Mid-Atlantic who are going to be riding for Chill.

The Shred-A-Thon is an awesome day of riding together and hanging out at Liberty Mountain Resort. Money raised will directly benefit the D.C./Baltimore Chill program.

Participants collect donations from friends, family and the community. In exchange for raising *at least* $150 participants get:

• - A full day lift ticket to Liberty Mountain Resort
• - Entry into optional on-snow competitions
• - Free raffle ticket
• - Awards & prizes for highest fundraisers
• - Post-Shred gathering at Tavern on the Green
• - Immense gratitude from those of us at Chill and the youth!

By: SIA
February 6, 2013

Winter Park, CO (February 6, 2013) — More than 3,000 retailers, reps, brands and media took to the snow under bluebird skies during the SIA On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest, February 4–5, to test Nordic, alpine, AT/backcountry and snowboarding gear from more than 130 snow sports brands. While the industry was hard at work during the 2013 SIA Snow Show (Jan. 31–Feb. 3), a foot of snow fell in the mountains, making conditions ideal for the two-day On-Snow Demo at Winter Park Resort and one-day Nordic Demo at nearby Devil’s Thumb Ranch.

“Getting on skis and sharing lift rides with the industry is the best possible way for me to wrap up the Snow Show,” said David Ingemie, SIA president. “We have had perfect weather conditions the past two days and a great industry turn-out to enjoy it all. I couldn’t ask for more.”

The On-Snow Demo was hosted in conjunction with the Western Winter Sports Reps Association’s (WWSRA) Rocky Mountain Demo and the Nordic Demo was held in partnership with the Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA) at Winter Park Resort.

“This demo is so valuable since there is no other opportunity to test equipment side by side like this,” said Joshua Stephen of Outdoor Gear Exchange in Burlington, Vt.

“It’s great to be here with everybody trying everything out on the hill,” said Transworld Business’ Mike Lewis. “It’s awesome.”

Fischer participated at both the Winter Park demo and Nordic at Devil’s Thumb Ranch. “This is a great opportunity for us to connect with our retailers outside, not under fluorescent lights,” said Matt Berkowitz of Fischer. Over at the Nordic Demo, Fischer’s Peter Ashley said, “The traffic has been nice and steady with very little downtime – perfect. All the right people are here.”

Attendees took in the mellow feeling of the Demo coming off an energy-packed four days at the SIA Snow Show. “The vibe here is so much more relaxed,” said Jason Lybeck of Faction Board Shop in Alexandria, Minn. “It’s a lot easier to get together with people after hours. On top of all that, you are out on the mountain riding!”

“It’s always nice when there’s a little bit of fresh snow and people are out having fun,” said Brad Gobdel, Rockies sales manager for Rome Snowboards. “We’re always having fun – we had a whole crew in Hawaiian shirts yesterday.”

2013 SIA Snow Show – On-Snow Demo Daily Dose from SnowSports Industries America on Vimeo.

After a day of hitting the trails and slopes, hundreds of attendees took the gondola to party at the Shindig at the Summit at Winter Park’s mountaintop Sunspot Lodge. While everyone was enjoying food and drinks, SIA’s own Board Member Billy Treacy of Easton Bell Sports performed live with his band the Willbillys along with cameos from SIA Board Member Dan Sullivan of Rome Snowboards on the harmonica and SIA’s own Tom Davis on the guitar.

2013 SIA Snow Show – On-Snow Demo Daily Dose from SnowSports Industries America on Vimeo.

“We had a huge crowd – way more people than expected,” Billy Treacy said. “We had good support from the crowd and it was super fun for me to be able to play in front of my SIA peers.”

The annual Uphill/Down Challenge at Winter Park sponsored by Scarpa had dozens of finishers, covered 1,700+ vertical feet and raised more than $1,100 for the US Ski Mountaineering Association (USSMA). The COSMIC male was Marshall Thompson, who finished two laps in 49:00, and the COSMIC female was Ava Hagan, who finished two laps in 1:00:43. The Industry male and female winners, Mike Hagen and Ellen Miller, finished one lap in 38:08 and 47:21, respectively. Team Dynafit 1 took first (2:06) and Team Dynafit 2 took second (2:16). Third place went to Team Hagan (2:30) and fourth went to Team La Sportiva (2:37).

“It was better than ever – the international contingent was bigger, but it was much more inclusive than ever before,” said Scarpa CEO Kim Miller.

Member-owned, industry-inspired and dedicated exclusively to snow sports, the SIA Snow Show is the industry’s largest annual global gathering. It’s where the most influential and visionary brands connect with leading retailers, resorts and media to unveil innovations, exchange ideas and build solid relationships that shape the industry.

For more news and highlights from the Show and On-Snow Demo, read the 2013 SIA Snow Show Dailies, watch the Snow Show Daily Dose and check out the SIA Snow Show photo round up. Stay connected to SIA news year-round with the SIA Social Dashboard, with feeds from the SIA Facebook page, SIA’s Latest and @siasnowsports on Twitter. Use #SIA13 to join Twitter and Instagram dialogues with thousands of snow sports industry professionals sharing their experiences from 2013 SIA Snow Show and On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest.

By: Smith Optics
January 2, 2013

Smith Optics just released a very limited quantity of their Sarah Burke memorial I/OS goggle. There is a very limited quantity available through SmithOptics.com and all proceeds will go directly to the Sarah Burke Foundation.

Sarah & Smith: Sarah was a beloved member of Smith.  More than just an athlete or friend, she was family and an inspiration to them.  Help carry on her legacy by living your life with passion, dedication, and grace.  As Sarah would say, “Dream without Fear.”

The Sarah Burke Foundation: The Sarah Burke Foundation was created to help young kids get to the next level in skiing as well as raise money for St. Jude’s Hospital, Sarah’s favorite charity.

The Sarah Burke I/OS: Sarah Burke helped create the I/OS and it was her favorite goggle in their collection. The Sarah Burke Memorial I/OS is inspired by Sarah’s snowflake tattoo and her favorite colors, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Sarah Burke Foundation.

Sarah Burke Landing Page: www.smithoptics.com/celebratesarah