What are you looking forward to this year? Is it a new trick, a trip to a new resort, some new gear, or just riding with your friends?  Whatever you’re jonesing for, you won’t have to wait much longer!

SBG

We woke to snow on the peaks in Crested Butte this morning. These photos, taken by local photographer Rob Pennie, were shot from Crested Butte South looking toward Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Winter is on its way!

Read on for the full press release and some videos

Forum’s 2011 Site Goes Live

The new Forum site is live. Direct your www’er over to forumsnowboards.com and check it. Featuring the entire 2011 line of boards, boots, bindings and softgoods jammed into a crazy high-tech website that works on iPhone, iPad, iWhatever. Check the Honeypot section where Forum team riders and engineers work to cook up all the latest technology making freestyle snowboarding faster, higher, and funner. Keep up with the team through photos, videos and Facebook posts blasted in live straight to their own page.

Go there already. Sign up for email updates, see what’s up with Combo Platter, pick out your new bindings, and see what Peter Line, Pat Moore, Jake Welch, Stevie Bell, John Jackson, Nic Sauve, Andreas Wiig, and all the Youngbloods are up to.

There is a lot of shit going on, so drop in and come join us at www.forumsnowboards.com.

They sent along some video clips to check as well:

After all sorts of shenanigans on Thursday night, the Riders’ Polls went off without a hitch. We arrived a little on the early side, found a booth in the VIP section upstairs (thanks TW Snow!), and settled in with a few drinks.

Riders Poll Award Winners

Rookie Of The Year: Halldór Helgason (DC)

Men’s Rider Of The Year: John Jackson (Forum)

Women’s Rider Of The Year: Annie Boulanger (Salomon)

Men’s Video Part Of The Year: John Jackson (Forum Snowboards’ Forever)

Women’s Video Part Of The Year: Annie Boulanger (Absinthe Films’ Neverland)

Video Of The Year: Forever (Forum Snowboards)

Standout Of The Year: Xavier De Le Rue (Standard Films’ Black Winter)

2010 Legend Award: Tom Burt (Winterstick)

Men’s Reader’s Choice: Eiki Helgason (Rome)

Women’s Reader’s Choice: Marie-France Roy (Rome)

If I were able to I would add a SIA Party of the Year award to Transworld and the event sponsors: New Era, Matador, Vans, Aerial7, POW, Keystone, Breckenridge, Ball Park, Red Bull and Zumiez. Great night, looking forward to next year.

SIA10 was a mixed bag. Some of it went well, other parts were plain awful. But more on that later, I’ll do a full critique of the show when I’ve had time to digest it.

More than anything else I’m just tired, a sentiment I heard often at the on-snow demo days. Four days at the tradeshow, followed by two days of cramming in every board you can, flat wears you out.

I’m really looking forward to a couple of slow days back in Steamboat. Maybe make a few mellow park laps, ride a bit if it snows, but mostly sleep and write up all the stuff we’re behind on.

Boulder, CO (Jan. 29, 2010)—Jeremy Jones, eight-time Big Mountain Snowboarder of the Year visited one of the most world renowned hills in the world, this time without a snowboard. On Wednesday, January 27, Jeremy Jones along with a coalition of winter sport filmmakers and industry representatives shared a new perspective on climate change with lawmakers on Capitol Hill: the economic, social and intangible values of winter.

Jones represented Protect Our Winters (POW), the environmental non-profit he founded in 2007 as a voice for the winter sports community in the climate change discussion. Jones was joined by Chris Steinkamp, Exective Director of POW, Steve Jones, Founder of Teton Gravity Research (TGR), Elysa Hammond, Director of Environmental Stewardship of Clif Bar and Elizabeth Burakowski, Complex Systems Research Center at University of New Hampshire.

The two-day agenda included a screening of Generations, a short film about climate change and winter released this fall by TGR and Protect Our Winters and sponsored by outdoor industry leader, The North Face. Generations discusses climate change through the perspectives of those for whom snowy winters have a deeper personal significance. Featuring ski resort owner [name], climatologist Elizabeth Burakowski, and some of the world’s most accomplished ski and snowboard athletes, the film humanizes and contextualizes the debate on climate change by exploring the intrinsic value of snow to people across generations and cultures.

In addition to the numerous awards won by Generations on the film festival circuit, the film received hearty congressional applause Tuesday evening among a theater of Congressmen, aides, staff and local environmental leaders, after being introduced by Congressman Jared Polis. Following the screening, Jeremy Jones, Steve Jones, Hammond and Steinkamp hosted a Q&A on their experience with climate change in the field and how winter sports enthusiasts everywhere can be part of the climate change solution.

The coalition met with key lawmakers and staff largely from US mountain states who are also leaders on climate change and in key positions on the hill to influence the direction of this issue. Together, they shared their experiences, illustrating first-hand how climate change has had direct effects on the winter sports culture and the $6 billon winter sports industry. Participants included Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), Representative Peter Welch (D-VT), Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA), and senior energy and environment staff for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). The members and staff that the group met with are all key players in the climate and energy debate, most holding senior positions and even chairmanships on the central committees of influence.

The film showing, combined with one-on-one meetings, provided the Capitol Hill community with a fresh perspective of climate change, through the eyes of those on the front lines.

“When we started production of ‘Generations’ with The North Face over a year ago, the goal was to communicate the climate change we all see every day, to as many people as possible. Being here on Capitol Hill a year later, talking with the individuals who are literally deciding how climate change will effect us for generations is one of the most important things I’ve ever done,” said Jeremy Jones.

“The perspective provided by “Generations,” and the teams in the meetings this week, provided valuable and often overlooked component of the climate change debate in Washington,” explained Congressman Jared Polis, (D-CO). “The ski industry is the lifeblood of my district and climate change is already taking a toll,” said Polis. “These athletes are on the front lines of this crisis, watching snow, ice and communities disappear all over the world. In sharing their story with Congress, they are sharing the stories of many communities who are all desperately watching their way of life disappear with the warming planet. While the loss of skiing isn’t the worst consequence of climate change, these individuals show us how we all stand to be personally affected by this global problem.”

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Protect Our Winters (POW) is a tax exempt, non-profit organization dedicated to reversing the global warming crisis by uniting the winter sports community and focusing efforts towards a common goal of winter preservation. POW was founded in 2007 by Jeremy Jones, a professional snowboarder who is passionate about preserving winter sport industry and culture for current and future generations. Built on the snowsports culture’s inspired dedication to reversing climate change, POW has become an innovative leader in sponsoring effective renewable power, progressive environmental education, and organizing and enabling unique grassroots action. www.protectourwinters.org

Teton Gravity Research (TGR) is one of the fastest growing brands in the action sports industry. Founded in 1996, TGR has produced 18 award winning feature length films, numerous television series for Showtime, NBC, Fox Sports, and Fuel TV, and is known for its cutting edge media and lifestyles clothing line. TGR films showcase the world’s top snowboard, ski and surf athletes including Jeremy Jones, Ian Walsh, Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, and Seth Morrison. TGR is a proud member of 1 Percent for the Planet and strongly believes in protecting the environment in which the team works and plays. TGR’s online presence, TetonGravity.com, is one of the leading online destinations in the action sports industry. www.tetongravity.com

About The North Face®
The North Face, a division of VF Outdoor, Inc., was founded in 1968. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snowsport athletes, endurance athletes, and explorers. The company’s products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking, running, and snowsport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains.

DENVER, CO (January 31, 2010) – SIA’s inaugural Snow Show in Denver brought together plenty of A-list media, athletes, personalities and politicians to the halls of the Colorado Convention Center. Finding their way around a new city and convention hall took a little practice for longtime Show attendees, but it was hard to resist the friendly city that holds the number spot for urban snow sports purchases. People on the street, elevators and at bars were asking– “Are you with the Snow Show?” And, the industry took notice.

“There’s more community here. We’re all into the same thing. It’s more laid back. You don’t have the Vegas attitude and the bar scene is easy to get into,” commented Alex Albers from Line when asked about coming to Denver for the first time.
“I’m looking forward to the On-Snow Demo where people can actually get on our boards. Plus, it’s just more professional — people are here to look at the boards instead of just party,” Alex Masterson and Liezyl Ribeiro Bitch Boards

New product buzz on the Show floor included cutting edge products heading to the Olympics and the continuing story of rocker or reverse camber technology for both skis and snowboards. Outerwear fashion could hardly be pinned down at the Show – with as many styles and color schemes to match the diverse personalities that love snow sports. There was plenty of bright (even neon) colors, plaids, geometric shapes and creative prints bringing alive outerwear and apparel collections.

OLYMPIC TECHNOLOGY
Many companies were gearing up for the upcoming 2010 Olympic Games, less than two weeks away. In fact, some were heading up to Vancouver right after the Snow Show. Official team suppliers include Spyder’s Slippery Race Suit, Burton’s official US Snowboard Team Uniforms and Under Armour’s uniforms for the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team and base layers for the U.S. Ski Team. But there were plenty of Olympic stories throughout the Show.

U.S. Olympic ski racer Julia Mancuso will be wearing the POC Skull Comp 2.0 Julia Signature helmet during the 2010 Olympics –the ultimate ski race helmet. The POC Skull Comp 2.0 was developed with an EPP (multi-impact liner) that is able to endure multiple, repetitive impacts.

The weight of Rossignol’s X-ium Skate package (including ski, boot, and binding) has decreased by 230 grams for athletes. Olympic Nordic Athletes on the X-ium Package include Torin Koos and Elizabeth Stephen and Biathlon Athletes on X-ium include Lowell Bailey, Tim Burke, Jay Hakkinen, Haley Johnson.

SmartWool is a sponsor of the U.S. & Canadian Ski Teams and athletes will be using SmartWool’s highest level of performance socks – PhD with 4 Degree Fit, WOW Technology™.

Members of the U.S. Aerials ski team will be wearing Full Tilt boots in Vancouver, B.C. Full Tilt created an American flag graphic for them that resembles the boot Bill Johnson won gold in 20 years ago.

FASHION
For snowboard, there were a lot of statement-making prints and motorcycle, gangster or Hollywood-inspired bling, but function was winning out as a determining design factor this season.

“We are seeing a demand from the progressive riders for longer jackets to keep them covered while they are riding in the park, but still with the same flattering silhouettes,” says Katie Bedwell, senior product manager for Burton women’s outerwear.

Cappel upgraded their insulation by using PrimaLoft Sport and Infinity in the high-end pieces. And Ride featured a new printed application look that appears transparent though it’s printed on the backside of the fabric.

Backcountry’s little sister, the relatively new lift-served sidecountry category, demands highly technical—yet stylish—outerwear that accommodates all of their technological needs.”In the past decade, we have seen snow sports gear become more and more ‘featured out,’” says Tara Latham, Arc’teryx product designer.

Marmot showcases a collection built specifically for sidecountry users called the Coombs collection after legendary big-mountain skier Doug Coombs with Intelligent Shock Absorption. Salomon introduces the S-Line, a 3:1 jacket which combines mobility and waterproofness. And Mountain Hardwear introduces portable power jackets enabled by Ardica Technologies that can generate nearly 9 hours of heat.

ROCKER/REVERSE CAMBER
‘Rocker’ or ‘reverse camber’ technology has electrified the ski and snowboard markets and continued with the trend at the 2010 SIA Snow Show. By working with varying degrees of ‘early rise’ in the tips and tails of skis and snowboards – picture the rise in the bow of a ship – manufacturers can create better float in powder, easier turn initiation in any condition, and more fun for everyone on the slopes.

In snowboards, Burton’s Custom Flying V for dudes and Lip Stick for ladies maintain the “pop” of traditional camber but also integrate the more laid-back ride of rocker. Lib-Tech’s banana technology is a big splash for the T. Rice pro model splitboard called the “Voila.” Ride’s OMG features new proprietary “ProRize” shapes with a long flat zone for landing stability and pop. And Palmer’s FLF(Feels Like Flying) Rocker design is featured in the redesigned Burn, Pulse, and Halo.

In skis, K2 unveiled BASELINE Technology, with six different camber tech stories from the groomed to the backcountry to the halfpipe. Völkl’s Extended Low Profile (ELP) debuted for big mountains and freestyle, Salomon got stiffer on all-mountain in the Sentinel and Enduro, as did Nordica’s Fire Arrow, Rossignol’s Avenger espouses all-mountain ease, and HEAD’s Carlos, Elan’s Olympus and Atomic’s Atlas tune rocker to a backcountry beat.

ACCESSORIES
In a tough economy the snow sports industry can count on accessories to carry them through – a pair of new goggles, sunglasses or hat can make anyone feel like they’ve updated their look for the season. Helmet and goggle technology is always improving in safety and many were also integrating freestyle style and performance.

“Accessories have been strong. That pretty much sums it up. With the recession people want to re-accessorize rather than buy a whole new outfit,” Alex Beane and Michael Matthewsfrom The Backpacker in Los Angeles.

Next, the industry will head up to the mountains for the first international On-Snow Demo/Free Ride Fest (February 1-2) at Winter Park Resort and Devil’s Thumb Ranch, where the industry will get together to demo the gear they’ve just seen at the Show and to ski, ride and slide together. Over 150 brands will be involved in this industry only, two-day event filled with demos, races parties and catching up with industry friends. The industry will meet next year in Denver for the 2011 SIA Snow Show, January 27-30, 2011 and for the On-Snow Demo/Free Ride Fest, January 31-February 1. Contact Anovia Daniels, ADaniels@snowsports.org with questions.

– SIA –
SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is the national not-for-profit, North American member-owned, trade association representing the snow sports industry. Established in 1954, SIA annually produces the SIA Snow Show, the largest snow sports industry trade show, on-snow demo and networking environment globally, while delivering invaluable data/research reports including the Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report, the SIA Retail Audit and Executive Market Summary. SIA also develops marketing products, programs and services such as logistics and Government affairs that help our Members operate more efficiently and increase participation in snow sports. For more information, check out snowsports.org. SnowSports Industries America, 8377-B Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102-3587. Phone: 703.556.9020, Fax: 703.821.8276, Email: SIAmail@snowsports.org.

Highlights from SIA 2010 Snow Show

Snow Fashion Show
The music was loud, the lights were bright and the snow sports fashions were anything but demure with bright colors, prints and lots of style at SIA’s Snow Fashion Show. The fashion event was the official kick-off for the very first SIA Snow Show in Denver’s Colorado Convention Center. The Snow Fashion Show was held at the Wells Fargo Theatre, where over 1,000 Show attendees and a select group of consumers previewed the hottest on/off the slope fashions for Winter 2010.11.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Local officials including Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper performed an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony welcoming the snow sports industry to Denver. The Ribbon Cutting crew also included officials from VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau and Colorado Ski Country USA and SIA chairman of the board Mike Carey.

National Youth Summit
Hundreds of Denver students, who participate in winter sports programs, gathered to listen to leaders from SIA and the National Ski Areas Association, who presented efforts by the snow sports industry to get kids involved in winter sports. The Recreation Outdoor Initiative (ROI) group hopes to get one million youth involved in winter sports by 2020. At the Summit, SOS Outreach (a member of ROI) recognized Mike Carey (SIA Chair) with the humanitarian award and K2 Sports with the corporate social responsibility award.

ShmoozaPalooza Job Fair
The first job fair and networking event created specifically for the snow sports industry. SIA member companies used the event to scout for new talent and “shmooze” with job candidates for present and future needs. Ranging from eager entry-level job hunters to seasoned executives, ShmoozaPalooza provided a casual environment for company reps to meet candidates with relevant experience in design, development, marketing, sales and administration.

2010 Retailer of the Year
A list of twenty-six U.S. and Canadian SnowSports Retailers and Reps were acknowledged for their consistent efforts at making an impact in the snow sports industry at the Retailer and Rep of the Year Award ceremony.

Doc Des Roches Award
U.S. Ski Team supplier Under Armour was the recipient of the seventh Doc Des Roches Award — the recognition is made annually by SIA and the U.S. Ski Team to recognize a SIA member and Team supplier for its promotion of the Team’s brand and athletes.

After meeting with the hundred or so companies we normally see at SIA, not to mention the after parties, we’re usually pretty wasted. But SIA.10 took it to a whole new level with two days of on-snow demos immediately following the tradeshow.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be rolling out previews from each company we met with, including photos, and mentions of any products that really caught our attention, as well as on-snow previews for select boards, boots, and bindings. For now you can check out this gallery of images, an overview of the entire trip.

What a night it was for John and the entire Forum crew – congrats, man!

We’ll be on-site for the entirety of the show, with full coverage, including 2011 product previews, interviews, event coverage, and giveaways. Immediately after the show we’ll be headed up to Winter Park for the on-snow portion.

You can follow our adventures in Denver by checking out posts tagged SIA10 or follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also check Product Toss for giveaways.