“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.

Numeric: 686 and Scion Snowboarding Concept Car from 686 Technical Apparel on Vimeo.

Fifty riders will be dropping in on “The Scene” at Bear Mountain for an all day jib jam. If you’re in the So Cal area, you can head up to Bear Mountain to watch the day go down, while everyone else can watch the action on snowboardermag.com. The live webcast presented by Red Bull begins at 3:00pm on snowboardermag.com and ends at 7:00pm with the HDHR awards ceremony.

Snowboarder Mag’s Video Recap of the 2010 Hot Dawgs & Hand Rails Contest

For more information, scope the press release below, or head over to Snowboarder Mag: http://www.snowboardermag.com/exclusives/hot-dawgz-hand-rails-live-webcast-sept-24th/

Think Thank’s Jesse Burtner will be announcing tech tricks while industry veterans and rail Jedi’s Chad Otterstrom, Jarad Hadi, Colin Langlois and Chip Treadwell judge the action.

The event is free and open to the public from 11 am until 4pm. Costume contest winners will walk away with free prizes from event sponsors.

Registration for confirmed riders will take place in the Art Institute Lobby at 10:30 a.m. with warm up ride time starting around noon.

The event schedule is as follows:

· 12:45 – 1:00pm – COURSE MAINTENANCE

· 1:00 – 1:30pm – 30 MINUTE JAM

· 1:30 – 1:45pm – Course maintenance

· 1:45 – 2:15pm – 30 minute jam

· 2:30 – 3:00PM – AWARDS

As well as serving up suds in the VIP area and at the Backyard Bang after-party, Kona Brewing has partnered with the Oahu Visitor’s Bureau and Hawaiian Airlines to grant one lucky winner two free flights from Portland to Oahu, Hawaii. Also included in this prize package are surf lessons for two with Waikiki Beach Services. Register to win during the event. For more info, go to www.visit-oahu.com or www.konabrewingco.com

For more event information check out: www.salomonsnowboard.com/community and www.artinstitute-portland.com

The Backyard Bang is hosted by Salomon Snowboards and the Art Institute of Portland and supported by Bonfire Snowboarding, Skull Candy, Mt Hood Meadows, Exit Real World, US Outdoor Store and Kona Brewing Co.

(Park City, UT) September 16, 2009 – Rick Alden, founder and CEO of Skullcandy, has been named one-of-five finalists for the Entrepreneur of 2009 contest in Entrepreneur magazine presented by The UPS Store®, perhaps the most prestigious award bestowed upon entrepreneurs today. Now through October 12, 2009, Skullcandy customers and supporters can vote for industry veteran Alden to become the Entrepreneur of 2009 at entrepreneur.com/e2009/vote/established.

“All of the finalists exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and are making a real impact with their businesses,” said Amy Cosper, VP/editor in chief at Entrepreneur. “While they’re at the top of our list, it’s ultimately up to the business community to decide who their favorite is by voting. We encourage everyone to go online now to make their pick.”

“Each of the finalists is making a big difference with his or her business, and they represent the innovative entrepreneurs we see in our centers every day,” said Tom Crockett, vice president of sales and marketing at Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., franchisor of The UPS Store. “We look forward to seeing whom the entrepreneurial community chooses as the winners.”

Skullcandy’s success is a result of Alden’s over 20 year career in the snowboard, surf, and skate industries. Skullcandy was an effort to strap time proven core-marketing techniques onto an entirely new product category for the action sports retail environment. Later, these products were rolled out through more traditional consumer electronic retailers. Alden’s strategy proved to successful as Skullcandy quickly grew to become the second most sold headphone brand in the world.

“The greatest part of Skullcandy for me has been the association with an incredible team of employees. Being blessed to work with these people every day is the best part of the ride,” Alden stated. “I likely have a dysfunctionaly high opinion of the importance of entrepreneurship in America, so to be included with this caliber of other founders in the premier magazine for entrepreneurs, as one of the five finalists is an insane honor.”

In 2003, Alden launched Skullcandy to integrate audio and mobile technologies into skateboard, snowboard and lifestyle products. In just six years, Skullcandy has introduced a line of more than 100 SKU’s of headphones as well as many other audio products, such as backpacks with built in speakers and iPod accessories to over 50 countries. Skullcandy currently has collaborations with artists and brands such as Snoop Dogg, Mix Master Mike, Def Jam Records, Giro Helmets, Smith Optics, Paul Frank, Von Zipper, Dragon Alliance and many others.

To see Alden’s full business profile and video—and to vote, go to entrepreneur.com/e2009/vote/established.php#633 and entrepreneur.com/e2009.

While praise and awards were being passed around, a few notable attendees were roaming the aisles of the SIA.09 SnowSports Trade Show. The first “dignitary” was Denver’s Mayor John Hickenlooper, who unveiled the new floor plan for next year’s SIA.10 SnowSports Trade Show and officially welcomed SIA and the snow sports industry to the City of Denver.

Gene Simmons entered the trade show, surrounded by an entourage of about 10 people. Gene posed for pictures, stopped by booths, signed autographs and chatted with media while he walked the Show. And, at the end of the day – Snoop Dogg made a special appearance at the Skull Candy booth, to help promote his recent collaboration with the brand. Skullcandy partnered with the rapper for his own Skullcrusher—an extreme base amplified headphone. Skullcandy will also be creating a DJ headphone from scratch for Mix Master Mike, which is set to hit the market during third quarter. Both Snoop Dogg and Mix Master Mike are scheduled to perform at a party hosted by Skull Candy this evening at Rain in The Palms Casino Resort.

Throughout this week’s four-day trade show, SIA.09 will draw an estimated 20,000 attendees including manufacturers, retailers, reps, resorts and over 100 of the world’s top snow sports athletes. With 348,000 net square feet and 800+ brands exhibiting in 3,479 booths – SIA.09 is THE Show for the snow sports industry.

For more news and highlights from each day of the show, use the following link: skipressworld.com/snowpress to read the official SIA.09 SnowPress Show Daily. SIA also provides Show Updates on Twitter AND Facebook. Follow SIA-insiders on Twitter http://twitter.com/siasnowsportspr. And, if you’re not already a “friend” of SIA on Facebook, look us up under Sia SnowSports.

- SIA -
SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is a not-for-profit trade association whereby competing on-snow product suppliers magnify their power, by working together, for the development of the on-snow sports industry. For more information, check out www.snowsports.org.

“At Skullcandy, we’re always looking for events that bring a unique energy to the action sports and music industry,” stated Rick Alden, CEO and founder of Skullcandy. “Bringing a mainstream and talented crew of folks like Snoop Dogg, Mix Master Mike and Super Natural to SIA for the show’s last year in Vegas is our way of going out with a bang. We’re thrilled to bring top-notch musicians to our party as a way of thanking our collaborating partners and core dealers—it’s going to be a great.”

In addition to partnering with both Snoop Dogg and Mix Master Mike for the SIA 2009 show, Skullcandy is also pleased to announce their artist collaboration pieces with each music icon. Set to hit the market later this year, Skullcandy will introduce Snoop Dogg fans to a whole new world of music listening as they partner with the rapper for his own Skullcrusher—an extreme base amplified headphone. Skullcandy will also be creating a DJ headphone from scratch for Mix Master Mike, which is set to hit the market during third quarter.

The party will start at 10PM on January 28th and go into the “wee-hours” of the night. For more information on Skullcandy and their second day, SIA Vegas bash, check out www.skullcandy.com or stop by their SIA booth: D80.

About Skullcandy, Inc.
Skullcandy designs headphones, mp3 player watches, audio accessories and other audio-enabled lifestyle products, such as backpacks with built-in speakers and iPod controls. Skullcandy also collaborates with select brands to integrate its audio technology into products from snow helmets to outerwear, apparel, packs and bags. Skullcandy gear is sold worldwide through top retailers, specialty outlets and can be viewed online at www.skullcandy.com.

From noon until 4 p.m. there are no lifts and no limits—as some of the best local and National snowboarders annihilate the king size jib constructed by Snowboy Productions in front of the Art Institute on Northwest Davis between 11th and 12th.

Backyard Bang Poster

Win free lift passes, Bonfire, Salomon and Skull Candy gear— check out the Art Institute—and celebrate the new season from the Widmer VIP deck. If you like good music and good food—nothin’ slides down as easy as a Cobra Dog and a handrail. Best part about it? It’s all free—all fun, rain or shine.

For more info call 503 228-6528, or check out artinstitutes.com/Portland or www.salomonsnowboard.com

Opening day is going to be a banger – will you be there? The Backyard Bang – November 22, from 4-8.

Thanks to event sponsors: Salomon Snowboards, Art Institute of Portland, US Outdoor Store, Skullcandy, Bonfire, Windell’s, Scion and Paul Mitchell.

See you there!

Support theses hungry young riders Saturday on NW 11th and Davis from noon to 4. Grab a Cobra Dog, win free prizes, pose in the photo booth and stop by the sponsor zone for stickers, info and fun games.

Judges Nick Dirks, Jesse Burtner, Tim Windell and Josh Dirksen will be scouting the field of riders, including Jordan Michelot, Corey Noble, Jarad Hadi, and Sawyer Deen for the best overall impression and best trick. Winners walk away with cash and prizes. The Best Trick Overall will win a free session at Windell’s Snowboard Camp.

Backyard Bang Poster

Get involved by bringing your video camera. The Portland Mercury and the Art Institute are hosting a video competition for the event. Entries must be posted on youtube and registered with AI by December 30th. For Rules and Regulations check out http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Page?id=BackYardBang .

Sponsors include Salomon Snowboards, The Art Institute of Portland, US Outdoor Store, Bonfire Snowboarding, Scion, Windells Snowboard Camp, Mt. Hood Meadows, Skullcandy, Red Bull, B4BC, The Mercury, and Paul Mitchell.