Archive for the ‘Snowlink.com’ Category

Trends to watch in 2011/12

Monday, January 9th, 2012

This year in alpine skis, the fatter the better. Flat skis with waist widths 95mm-110mm are up 60% in units sold to more than 20,000 units in the first months of 2011/12. Here are some more trends to watch this season…

Trends to watch in 2011/2012

  • Reverse and mixed camber ski sales doubled compared to pre-season sales a year ago to 32,000 pairs.
  • The fatter, the better – flat skis with waist widths 95mm-110mm are up 60% in units sold to more than 20,000 units in the first months of 2011/2012.
  • Rocker/Reverse camber snowboard sales continue to rise; now 70% of all boards sold are rocker.
  • Bargain hunters will notice that snowboard apparel average prices are down 4% from August – October 2010.
  • Helmets sales continue to grow, unit sales are up 12.5% so far this season.
  • Sales of beacons, probes and shovels, necessities for the backcountry experience, are up 19% in units sold.

Reverse cambered snowboards are continuing to grow in popularity, and are up 34%.

Flat skis are up 38%.

Alpine apparel is up 12%.

Overall snow sports equipment, up 14%.

Juniors snowboard apparel is up 38%, despite the overall category only being up 4%.

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Posted in Backcountry Experience, Leisure Trends, SIA Snow Show, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowlink.com, SnowSports Industries America | No Comments »

SIA 2012 Snow Show Nordic, Snowshoe and Backcountry Preview

Monday, January 9th, 2012

From the SIA Snow Show floor in Denver, to the Nordic Demo taking place at Devil’s Thumb Ranch on Jan. 30-31 as part of the On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest, there’s plenty to be excited about this year, particularly in terms of growth across several key cross-country ski categories. According to SIA, 739,000 kids participated in cross-country skiing last year, establishing a baseline for future growth, and manufacturers report strong demand in everything from top-end race gear to touring equipment for the general consumer.

Get a quick preview of some of the hottest gear that will be at the Show, and which retailers and media can also test at the Nordic Demo. More in-depth information will be available in the Snow Show Dailies on the Show floor. Read here.

SIA Nordic Demo from SnowSports Industries America on Vimeo.

Catch a glimpse of the Nordic Demo at Devil’s Thumb Ranch. We hope to see you there!

See you in Denver!

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Posted in Backcountry Experience, Nordic On-Snow Demo, SIA Snow Show, Skiing, Snowlink.com, Snowshoe, SnowSports Industries America | No Comments »

Backcountry Experience at the 2012 SIA Snow Show

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

WANT TO SEE ALL AVALANCHE BEACONS, BACKPACK AIRBAGS, SKINS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN ALL IN ONE PLACE?

Step into SIA’s Backcountry Experience at the 2012 Snow Show. The BC Experience focuses on what it takes to outfit your customers with the best in backcountry hardgoods and accessories while delivering a “Must Knows” of safety information.

Today’s backcountry comes in many different shapes and sizes with everything from lift-accessed Sidecountry to multi-day ski mountaineering expeditions. When outfitting your customers with the right gear knowledge and advice is key to becoming the Expert in your local scene.

Whether Splitboarding, Alpine Touring, Telemark Skiing or hiking a boot pack; once you step beyond the boundaries, you are on your own. Knowledge and equipment go hand in hand here.

Each afternoon backcountry experts are on-hand to share their insight on topics such as: Proper Route Finding, Gear Selection, Beacon Basics, and Avalanche Warning Signs.

Read More

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Posted in Backcountry Experience, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowlink.com, SnowSports Industries America | No Comments »

Beer League Hockey Game to Kick Off SIA Show

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

By: Skiing Business
January 4, 2012

The 3rd annual SIA/SOS Shootout Hockey Game is set to kick off the SIA trade show for another year in Denver, Colo.

This year’s game will go down Wednesday, Jan. 25, featuring industry heads from the U.S. and Canada. Here’s some additional information:

The Shootout is open to anyone who can skate hard – spectators are encouraged to attend, especially if they like great cold beer and good “beer league” hockey. Each team is made up of a max of 15 players plus goalies. PBR is generously providing the brew and Monster is helping to kick it up a notch with the donation of your favorite energy drinks. A suggested donation of $2 per can for the spectators and $20/player goes straight to SOS Outreach.

Last year we had NHL Alumni Joe Sakic, Derek Armstrong, Scott Parker and Phil Crowe participating, making this the coolest fantasy camp anyone ever attended. No telling who from the big leagues will show up this year, but don’t miss out on the chance to smash your favorite rep, shop employee or industry vet into the boards while dangling your way to the net. The Shootout will take place at the Foothills Ice Arena in Lakewood, Colorado. Don’t have a car? Stay tuned as info on a shuttle between convention center and rink will be announced soon.

Here’s the details:

What: The SIA/SOS Shootout hockey game

When: Weds. January 25th, 2012 8:45PM – 10:15PM

Who: 30 hardcore hockey players from the industry plus 2 goalies

Where:
Foothills Ice Arena
2250 S Old Kipling
Lakewood, CO

We are still in need of a few players, so if you know how to skate, got some hustle in ya and don’t mind a beer or two after the game, please contact Mike Gagliardi at gags@neversummer.com.

About SOS:
SOS Outreach engages underserved youth in winter and outdoor sports-based education programs. The program revolves around a core value curriculum that stresses Courage, Discipline, Integrity, Wisdom and Compassion. Adult mentor relationships are central to the programs and have resulted in SOS youth participants building strong morals, self-esteem and interpersonal skills. www.sosoutreach.org

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Posted in SIA Snow Show, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowlink.com, SnowSports Industries America | No Comments »

It’s Officially Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month!

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

January 2, 2012

Learn To Ski & Snowboard Month, January 2012

Humans Were Never Meant to Hibernate!
January 2012 is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Ski areas and resorts in 34 states are celebrating with special offers to get children and adults out on the snow and taking lessons from a professional instructor.

A new Web site www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org provides a listing of states with locations where learning programs are taking place. The site helps those new to snow sports with practical information on getting started and also includes tips for those who want to improve.

Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month is an industry initiative organized by the National Ski Areas Association, the Professional Ski Instructors of America-American/Association of Snowboard Instructors, the National Ski Patrol, SnowSports Industries America, numerous state and regional resort associations, industry partners and the snow sports media.

Visit Learn To Ski & Snowboard Month.

Here is a list of retailers participating

Posted in Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowlink.com, SnowSports Industries America, Uncategorized | No Comments »

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 »

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 »