For the past 32 years the SnowSports Industries America has released an “intelligence report” of topline numbers from the snow sports marketplace. This year is no different. Here are some of the bullet points we cared about:
$2.8 billion in sales of snow sports equipment, apparel, and accessories from specialty shops and Internet sales.
Online sales grew 12% in dollars and 23% in units
15% of all snowboard equipment was sold online
The average snow sports participant is about 30 years old, has a college degree and household income exceeding $100,000 annually
The snow sports demographic experienced a doubling in unemployment rate during the 2008.09 season as the economy tanked
Louie Vito did alright on the first night of ABC’s hit show Dancing With The Stars, you know, once you get past the fact that he’s on the show at all.
He and his parter Chelsie Hightower performed a foxtrot and finished second behind Donny Osmond and Kim Johnson. Here’s what Extra TV had to say about his number:
Professional snowboarder Louie Vito[‘s] . . . smile might be stronger than his dance moves. Carrie Ann said she was surprised by their dance, but she can tell he’s never danced before. Bruno says the performance was “so cute” and it was like watching a “dancing hobbit.” The couple earned a 19 and 8 points for their Salsa relay dance.
“Dancing hobbit?” Right. Coming from a judge Todd Richards described as “dude looks like Mr. Bean” that kind of makes sense.
It’s the middle of summer, but the Snow Industries of America wants everyone to know that the show’s move to Denver, Colorado (yee haw) is the best thing ever and they’ve got video proof from the likes of Joel Gomez, Dave Roseberger, Andrew Marriner, Rick Alden (and some guys we don’t know from some ski companies) in this six minute “come to cowtown” video.
Ari Marcopoulos’s photographs convey a remarkable feeling of intimacy. He draws the viewer into relationships with his subjects that could only have been achieved through a powerful experience of empathy and engagement. Self-taught as a photographer, Marcopoulos makes photographs that are often imbued with a subtle formalism, a classical austerity—informed by the artist’s broad knowledge of art history—combined with an intuitive approach and an ability to adapt to the moment.
There will also be a new book released at the show the will go perfectly in our library next to Transitions And Exits. The show runs through February 7, 2010. For more information follow the link.
Tonight (September 21, 2009) the new season of the hit ABC series Dancing With The Stars kicks off with a two-hour live show featuring our favorite dancing snowboarder Louie Vito. In an email sent out to industry heads on Sunday, 686’s Mike West encouraged everyone to vote often for Louie.
I’m going to be heading to the live show to give support (as well as get my laugh on…) Yeah, I know there’s been mixed opinions on why he’s doing this (Not to mention he’s all hip hop, only wears XXL and can’t dance to save his life) But at the end of the day, LV’s gonna make the best of it-While we get to laugh our asses off in a good way. . . If you agree, vote for Louie.
While we were sweating away in the Hurley Pro VIP tent at Trestles, the SoCal snowboard world was at Bear Mountain for the 6th Annual Hot Dawgs & Handrails event. Luckily for us, Snowboarder Mag had the whole thing covered.
On Saturday, September 19th, 2009, 50 pro riders and over 5,000 spectators descended on Big Bear to celebrate So Cal snowboarding at its finest albeit, out of season. The Bear park crew brought in 110 tons of ice to create the most ambitious HD&HR setup yet. Unlike similar events which incorporate a single feature, Bear built two separate lanes, each with multiple jib options, giving the riders the opportunity to dial their lines and link up tricks, making it more akin to a conventional slopestyle event than a simple rail jam.
We’re just bummed we couldn’t be in two places at once. Maybe we should invest in some unpaid interns. . .
Todd Richards will be hosting and starring in the world premiere of his new bio-pic Me, Myself, and I at the world famous La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas, California at 8 PM on Thursday September 24, 2009. Sadly, there aren’t two showings that night because we were looking forward to watching it over, and over, and over again. . . .
This Video Sucks’ tripod of homies: Joe Sexton, Simon Chamberlain, and JP Walker.
Last night (Thursday, September 17, 2009) ThirtyTwo invited the shred media up for a big This Video Sucks premiere party. They opened the doors to the Sole Technology company store at 5 PM and let everyone do a little shopping for new snow boots and brand spankin’ new ThirtyTwo outerwear.
After that it was a private skate Session with the ThirtyTwo team, followed by a taco fiesta, and an unlimited stream of PBR’s in the back lot, and an outdoor screening of Defective Films’ ThrityTwo/Step Child joint This Video Sucks featuring JP Walker, Simon Chamberlain, Joe Sexton, Markku Koski, Risto Ruokola, Fredu Sorvio, Stian Solberg, Eman Anderson, and Scotty Vine.
By 9:15 PM all the chairs were full and it was standing room only well over 200 people settled in for some shred film. This Video Sucks is a smooth little rail film with friendly banter/shit-talking between the players and a couple big backcountry hucks thrown in for good measure. Joe Sexton took the most grief for his below par sled and ugly helmet combo which made the audience erupt into laughter several times. But the video is more about friends working together to get the job done. When Sexton describes JP Walker, Simon Chamberlain, and himself as a “tripod of homies” he pretty well sums up the flow of the film.
SoCal’s biggest back-to-snow party kicks off this Saturday, September 19, 2009 at Bear Mountain with the 6th Annual Hot Dawgz and Hand Rails event.
The Pro Invitational summertime Rail Jam offers up $15,000 in cash prizes. More than 40 pro-riders will compete in this event at our one-of-a-kind, man-made snow park, utilizing 110 tons of snow! Admission for public is FREE! There will be a full bar for 21 & up, music, vendor booth city, pro autograph signings, games, and giveaways which will include snowboards, goggles and clothing! After the sun goes down we’ll premier Stepchild/Thirty Two’s new film “This Video Sucks” and Bear Mountain’s: “A Parkumentary”. . . Judging this event will be the Bear Mountain Pro Snowboard team including Joe Sexton, JP Walker, Seth Huot, Simon Chamberlain and Keegan Valaika.
Looks like we’re going to have to make the drive. . .
People Magazine’s Dancing with The Stars Blogger Louie Vito is keeping it real on the dance floor and on the blog getting ready for the two-hour live kick off show for Dancing With The Stars. next Monday.
It is crunch time and now I am ready to step it up. Finally, I have all the steps down and it is now time to fine tune them and add a little extra flare. Moving my hips more in the salsa, watching what my hands do, getting my posture on point for the foxtrot and so on, will be my focus this week. Yes, I am not going to lie, I am nervous for the first show. How can I not be? I am doing something I am not comfortable with in front of the world on live TV. On the flip side, I am excited to get it going. I have been dancing every day, learning and listening for three weeks now and I am ready to show everyone what I can do. Whatever happens this first week, I have had more fun than I ever thought I would.
We can tell by the way he uses his walk, he’s a woman’s man, no time to talk. . . .
For the past 32 years the SnowSports Industries America has released an “intelligence report” of topline numbers from the snow sports marketplace. This year is no different. Here are some of the bullet points we cared about:
