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Industry News
686 and Scion roll out the ultimate snowboard ride
02 months ago
686 recently teamed up with Scion to blow the doors off a xB and convert it to the ultimate snowboard ride, and we’ve got photos and video of this incredible project.
“The 686 Scion Numeric is a dream come true,” says Michael Akira West, president and creative director at 686. “What better way to celebrate our twentieth anniversary by doing something that’s never been done before? Every part of this build has a story and a separate product that it was inspired from. I’m psyched we were able to show it to the world, our way.”
The snow specific tires reflect NB686® snowboarding boots and are branded as New Balance® tires. The top of the car is designed like a Bern® protective carbon fiber helmet, complete with their patented brim technology. The windshield is designed from Dragon’s APX® frameless goggle and offers full peripheral view inside the car. The Sparco® modified seats are inspired from actual Union® team snowboard bindings and are constructed in a high-back cup shaped form. The sound system is engineered and designed by the Skullcandy® team, which used their premiere Aviator headphones as inspiration. GoPro® came in with their POV expertise in visual racing mirrors and interior mapping. Vestal® watches and their ZR-3 Chronograph inspired the custom built time gauges. The devil is in the details and Freewaters® sandals clearly did this in the first ever heated floor mats. BOA® Technology added their “dialed” in fit to the cars heating and cooling system. Recco® Avalanche Rescue systems supplied their sophisticated radar technology on the road and mountain terrain. Blind® skateboards legendary artist, Marc Mckee provided his custom touch to the interior panels. To finalize the winter shred story, 686’s technical textile background pushed manufacturing boundaries by successfully wrapping the world’s first and only fully functional waterproof and breathable snowboarding outerwear vehicle, complete with stitched panels, laser welded seams, waterproof zipper and mesh venting.
Keep reading to see the full photo gallery and video of the project.
SIA Youth Market Intelligence report
02 months ago
by Chris
in Industry News
SIA’s 2011 Youth Market Intelligence Report is now available.
The youth report provides a vast array of information on snow sports participants ages 17 and under. “If you need to take a closer look into the kids’ snow sport market, this is the place to get everything you need,” said SIA Director of Research, Kelly Davis.
These are not the groms you’re looking for
02 months ago
If your kids are looking to hone their jedi skills this winter, look no further. Burton Snowboards and Lucasfilm just announced their limited edition Star Wars™ licensed collab board and gear for the 2012 season. The collaboration includes a full line of Star Wars themed Chopper mini snowboards, and best of all, an R2D2 helmet.
I think this helmet is long overdue. We’ve had just about every other possible helmet graphic, and lets be honest, who doesn’t want an R2D2 helmet? While you probably can’t get a kids XXXXL to fit your big melon, you can grab one for your favorite grom. The Avid is a year-round helmet, certified for use on snow, or while biking or skating. Plus, next time ski patrol is chasing your kids, you can just wave your hands, and in your best Alec Guinness voice say: “These are not the groms you’re looking for”
Keep reading, there are more photos and the full press release available after the break.
Make snow in your backyard
02 months ago
Second Nature Snowmaking has been selling home snowmaking kits for more thank a decade. Starting this year, they’re giving away their plans for free.
With $50 in parts, some time to assemble, and a borrowed pressure washer and air compressor, you can be making snow in your backyard any time you want (and the temperature is below 30 degrees).
Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act passes
03 months ago
by Chris
in Industry News
The “Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act” passed the US Senate last week, following its passage by the House of Representatives. The bill affects how the US Forest Service regulates the use of public land by ski resorts and allows for new recreational uses like zip-lines, mountain biking, and ropes courses.
“The passage by the Senate of the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act marks a major milestone in the ability for ski resort operators across the country to offer appropriate, year-round recreational activities on U.S. Forest Service lands,” said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts.
This is a pretty big deal for our mountain communities, and we’d like to offer a personal word of thanks to Senator Mark Udall who championed the bill, Congresswoman DeGette and Congressman Bishop of Utah for helping push it through, and President Obama, who is expected to sign it.
No Boundaries or KNOW Boundaries?
03 months ago
The North Face has launched a new snow and avalanche safety campaign called KNOW Boundaries. KNOW Boundaries includes a 14 city tour with athletes like snowboarder Lucas Debari and mountaineer Conrad Anker to provide clinics at The North Face and REI stores around the country, with the goal of teaching snowsports enthusiasts knowledge, skills and training required for safe backcountry travel.
“Over the years, we’ve seen that backcountry exploration in the winter months has grown in popularity, and when you’re exploring new zones, having the right gear is essential. But understanding how far you can push the limits can mean the difference between coming home safely or not,” said Aaron Carpenter, vice president of marketing for The North Face. “Our mission is to provide insight on how to stay safe when heading off the beaten path and into the backcountry.”
Keep reading for clinic dates, videos, and more.
Women wear the snowpants (and buy them too)
13 months ago
by Maggie
in Industry News
SIA’s 2011 Women’s Market Intelligence Report just arrived, bringing with it heaps of new information about how women influence the snowsports market. The bottom line is that even though skiing and snowboarding are both male dominated sports, it’s the ladies that drive the industry.
According to the report, women are responsible for more than 80% of snowsports spending, helping to make purchasing decisions for the men in their lives and spending a record $941 million on female-specific gear.
For more info from the report, check the full press release below. (more…)
Burton brings it back to the roots with Carhartt collab
03 months ago
From 686′s Levis to Union Bindings many offerings, I love a good collab; and Burton’s nailed it with this one. I grew up in Alaska, raised on the philosophy that a good pair of Carhartts was one of the essentials in life. When I first learned to snowboard it was in Carhartts pants and Sorel boots. I still have a pair of Carhartt work pants, and I still have good mud boots, but it’s been a long time since I’ve ridden in them.
Burton tried this a year or two ago, and it flopped pretty badly – mostly because they just slapped the Carhartt label on a generic set of outerwear. I’m stoked they did it right this year:
The Burton x Carhartt WIP jacket is based off of one of Carhartt’s most popular and rugged designs, aptly called the Traditional. For this project, the special co-branded edition is constructed from a double layer GORE-TEX® Performance Oxford shell featuring fully taped seams protected by 13 mm GORE-SEAM® tape. Further, the authentic work style cut of the Traditional has also been modified, to create a better streetwear silhouette and overall snowboard fit. Other design features include a removable contour hood and corduroy detailing, as well as chest and hand warmer pockets.
The Burton x Carhartt WIP pant is modelled after Carhartt’s classic Single Knee pant, also slightly modified by the collective design team for a better snowboard meets streetwear fit. Fabrication on the pant is also second to none, featuring the double layer GORE-TEX® Performance Oxford shell and GORE-TEX® taped seams. The Burton x Carhartt WIP jacket and pant can be connected via a removable waist gaiter with jacket-to-pant interface for added protection. Both pieces are offered with Burton’s lifetime guarantee.
And if you really want that classic 80s grunge snowboarder look, you can combo it up with the 2012 Ox boot.
