by The Editors on December 6, 2012
The SnowSports Industry of America released their fall SIA RetailTRAK numbers today (December 6, 2012) for the period August through October 2012 and it wasn’t good news.
The snow sports market declined 2%, but reached $616M in sales so far this season (August through October) despite significant disruptions in retail sales in the South and Northeast regions due to Hurricane Sandy, uncertainty in the face of the “fiscal cliff,” and lack of momentum from the snow-challenged 2011/2012 season.
And you thought last fall was bad for sales? We’ll just pray for a good Christmas. For the official word from SIA, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 5, 2012
Today marks the start of 686’s fashion design contest Reclaim Design Project. Here’s what the project is all about:
The world famous RECLAIM Design Project gives three talented designers the opportunity to create an original outerwear garment utilizing reclaimed materials, fabrics trims and supplies from the 686® production facility. Two winning designers will be awarded the grand prize of a coveted internship at 686® – helping design innovative, fashionable outerwear and technical apparel, as well as a collection of other great prizes. Is this you, do you have what it takes?
Think you have skills to make it on trade show tour with 686? Then submit your jacket design and a quick bio introducing yourself to reclaimproject@686.com. Follow the jump for all the official rules. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 5, 2012
Just in time for the holidays: Shredz “posable” snowboarding action figures that apparently stay upright while sliding down the hill.
Each articulated 3.75″ snowboarder comes with an ID card detailing his home mountain and personality, a detachable helmet, and a customized snowboard. The helmets and snowboards are interchangeable between the Shredz action figures, promoting collectability. The Shredz Track Building Tool, Jump and Trick Set allow kids to design and build their own challenging snowboarding trails and terrain parks carved out of snow.
It’s always good to see how snowboarding looks to civilians. Like this, apparently. Get them while you can a Amazon for only $11.99 (only three left).
[Link: COOP Shredz]
by The Editors on December 4, 2012
Lucy Walker’s documentary film The Crash Reel, which tells the story of Kevin Pearce’s massive head injury and his road back to recovery, is set to debut January 18, 2013 at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, according to a story in the Salt Lake City Tribune.
Choosing “The Crash Reel” for the Salt Lake City opening was easy, said festival director John Cooper. “These are people that the locals know quite well,” Cooper said of Pearce, the snowboarding community, and the University of Utah doctors who treated Pearce after his Dec. 31, 1999, crash [SIC: crash was actually December 31, 2009]. . . Walker’s film “does celebrate [Pearce] as an incredible athlete. And it looks at the issues of safety in an important way, but it’s not preachy at all,” said Trevor Groth, the festival’s programming director.
We’re looking forward to seeing this one, later. You know, when it comes out on iTunes.
[Link: SLC Tribune]
by The Editors on December 3, 2012
We’ve all heard the stories about how Jake Carpenter met his wife Donna, but now, thanks to the New York Times we get the whole story directly from Donna herself (including all the other things she’s done in the meantime).
I GREW up in Greenwich, Conn., and was lucky enough to travel when I was young. My family traveled to Europe many summers, and we skied different mountains in the United States in the winters. I was 18 when I met Jake Carpenter during a New Year’s Eve party at a tavern in Vermont. He was just starting what would become Burton Snowboards, and I was studying political science at Columbia University.
The rest is Burton Snowboards history. Click the link for the rest of another American marriage success story.
[Link: New York Times]
by The Editors on December 3, 2012
Wonder what Bjorn Leines is up to? Oh, wait. Here we go. Looks like he’s did a little snowboarding last season, huh? We’ve always loved the way Bjorn spreads his wings when he flies.
by The Editors on December 3, 2012
Kasandra Knapp, a 17-year-old snowboarder from Alanson, Michigan, has died after apparently falling on her snowboard at 4 PM on Sunday, December 2, 2012 at Michigan’s Boyne Highlands resort, according to a story on UpNorthLive.com.
A witness with the snowboarder said she fell within the slope boundaries and did not collide with any type of obstacle. Snow and weather conditions at the time of the accident were described as wet snow, with temperatures in the mid-40s.
Our thoughts are with Knapp’s family and friends.
[Link: Up North Live and Petosky News]
by The Editors on December 3, 2012
December is Avalanche Awareness month at Jones Snowboards and they’d like you to watch this High Fives Foundation edit as a reminder that venturing into the back country is dangerous and there are many things to know before you get out there. Here’s High Five’s top five list to enjoying the back country and getting back safe.
1. Get Educated. Learn about avalanche safety by taking a class.
2. Know your skills, know your surroundings. Check out forecasts for weather and conditions before you go.
3. Have the proper equipment and know how to use it (avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel, and airbag).
4. Never travel alone. Always ride with partners in a group and have a plan.
5. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t go. There is always tomorrow when using good judgement.
And if you really want to be safe, don’t go into the back country at all.
[Link: Jones Snowboards]
by The Editors on December 3, 2012
Think your two-hour drive to the mountains is long? Xavier de Le Rue and Lucas Debari are currently on a trip to Antarctica and getting there requires a five-day boat trip. One upside: it’s doubtful they’ll run in to any other film crews out boosting their lines.
by The Editors on December 3, 2012
Shaun White has a new $3.85 million beach house in Encinitas, California according to a story on TMZ.com. And the view doesn’t look so shabby.
. . . despite the $4.25 mil price tag, the boarding master managed to knock off $400k in negotiations … and bought it for a cool $3.85 mil. . . The 3-bedroom, 3-bath house is siiiiick too … it literally sits right on the coastline, and has a private staircase leading down to the beach.
Looks like the perfect little place to hideout and escape winter. Follow the jump for some video from right out front at Shaun’s.
[Link: TMZ.com] [click to continue…]
