Nicolas Müller is the new Recycling Ambassador in LAAX!

Nicolas Müller is the new Recycling Ambassador in LAAX! 

Check out the Swiss Rider for Burton Snowboards bonking recycling cans during the photo shoot (it's all G rated, no worries). [via protectourwinter.org]

FreshStart Brands Creates Strategic Relationship with Protect Our Winters

PRLog.com (Press Release) - May 7, 2013 - COPAKE, N.Y. -- 7 May, 2013 – FreshStart Brands™ shares their on-going global mission of raising money and awareness for meaningful causes with Protect Our Winters. Protect Our Winters (POW) was launched in 2007 by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones, who witnessed first-hand the effects of climate change on the winter sports and recreation industries.  This interesting partnership has launched to unite the socially charged forces of inspirational artists with inspirational environmental advocates. 

FreshStart Apparel has released two new designs by FreshStart artists Liane Torre and Karen Sung in support of Protect Our Winters mission.  The sale of these new additions to the FreshStart portfolio will support the Protect Our Winters Community; FreshStart will donate $5 to this community for each garment sold. The first of these designs, “Skier” is available in mens/unisex tee shirts, sizes S – XXL and ladies fitted tee shirts size XS – XL.  Also, the second design “Snowboarder” is featured on mens/unisex long sleeve tee shirts in sizes S – XXL.

FreshStart Brands™ President Adam Reznikoff stated, “We are thrilled to work with such a dynamic, action-oriented group and to help spread their message globally,” Reznikoff continues, “I’m a huge winter sports fan myself, and it’s awesome for an early-stage organization like FreshStart Brands™ to collaborate with an established one like Protect Our Winters, founded by a professional athlete.  POW has received a tremendous amount of support from the winter sports community and we’re excited to contribute to their mission.” 

“Thank you to Fresh Start Brands for their support of Protect Our Winters.  We’re always humbled when early stage companies support us because supporting the environment is part of their long term growth strategy, and we truly appreciate that”, said Chris Steinkamp, POW’s Executive Director.

Both organizations, FreshStart Brands™ and Protect Our Winters share a desire to make the world a better place.  With succinct visions to embrace new opportunities and partnerships, they keep their respective missions alive in their communities while reaching new audiences and potential supporters, as well.

To learn more about the FreshStart and the Protect Our Winters collaboration, please visit:http://freshstartbrands.com/cause/protect-our-winters/

About FreshStart Brands (freshstartbrands.com)

FreshStart Brands supports the dreams and aspirations of individuals, communities and organizations, locally, nationally and around the globe through the collaborative development, production, distribution and promotion of our products and services.

We work actively with a growing number of charitable organizations to promote awareness and raise money for socially and environmentally conscious causes and believe in a culture that measures success by impact as well as growth; that leads by example in allocating assets and sustainable resources.

About FreshStart Apparel

FreshStart Apparel™ is a collaborative effort of FreshStart Brands™, our artists and the charitable organizations we support, to raise money and awareness for worthwhile causes while providing income and exposure for independent artists. 

About Protect Our Winters (protectourwinters.org/)

Protect Our Winters is the environmental center point of the winter sports community, united towards a common goal of reducing climate change's effects on our sport and local mountain communities. With over 50,000 supporters worldwide, POW re-invests contributions in educational initiatives, activism and supporting community-based initiatives that have tangible results. For more information, visit protectourwinters.org. 

Contact info

FreshStart Brands, LLC

518.303.6353

info@freshstartbrands.com

www.freshstartbrands.com

Protect Our Winters

310.909.7941

info@protectourwinters.org

www.protectourwinters.org

Patagonia Restructures under “Patagonia Works” To Launch Internal Fund and Invest in Environmentally Sound Start-Ups

Patagonia has long been committed to upholding and promoting environmentally sound business practices. In order to move forward in alignment with these goals the company has decided to reorganize itself under a new holding company, “Patagonia Works”. This new structuring will allow the company to launch an internal fund, “$20 Million and Change”, which will give the brand opportunities to invest in start-up companies that lie beyond their current realm of outdoor clothing.

Press Release:

PATAGONIA LAUNCHES “$20 MILLION and CHANGE” AND PATAGONIA WORKS – A HOLDING COMPANY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Letter from Patagonia Works founder, Yvon Chouinard, announces the launch of an internal fund to help responsiblestart-up companies; reorganizes Patagonia into a new kind of holding company.

VENTURA, California (May 6, 2013)

 I don’t like to think of myself as a businessman. I’ve made no secret that I hold a fairly skeptical view of the business world. That said, Patagonia, the company my wife and I founded four decades ago, has grown up to be — by global standards — a medium-size business. And that bestows on our family a serious responsibility. The last line of Patagonia’s mission statement is “… use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” We’ve always taken that seriously.

Three examples: Every year for 30 years, Patagonia has donated one percent of its sales to grassroots environmental organizations. We helped initiate the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, an organization of companies that produces more than a third of the clothing and footwear on the planet. In a very short time, the Coalition has launched an index of social and environmental performance that designers (and eventually consumers) can use to make better decisions when developing products or choosing materials. And last year we became one of California’s first B Corps (benefit corporations), which means that the values that helped make our company successful are now etched into our legal charter.

Now is the time for Patagonia to take the next logical step: to reach out beyond the framework of the apparel and outdoor industries. Today, my family and I are happy to launch $20 Million and Change, an internal fund to help like-minded, responsible start-up companies bring about positive benefit to the environment.

With the launch of this fund, we have reorganized Patagonia and our other businesses within a new holding company called Patagonia Works. While most holding companies are about diversification, Patagonia Works is dedicated to a single cause: using business to help solve the environmental crisis. Rose Marcario, who has been COO and CFO of Patagonia’s apparel company, will now take on a new role as President and CEO of Patagonia Works. Rose has been instrumental in tripling profits for our company. We now want to apply her business acumen and keen sense of social and environmental responsibility to new companies in five critical areas: clothing, yes, but also food, water, energy and waste. Rose has been responsible for the launch of Patagonia Provisions, which will soon expand beyond our Wild Salmon Jerky (wild-caught in natal waters by First Nations tribes) to other foods that, like our jerky, are more thoughtfully sourced. The food business is, as much as the apparel or energy industries, environmentally broken. It takes more from the planet than it gives back. We aim to find ways to get what we want to eat by working with nature rather than against it.  

Casey Sheahan will continue to serve as President and CEO of Patagonia, Inc., the clothing company at the heart of Patagonia Works.

Others might see Patagonia Works and $20 Million and Change as revolutionary business ventures; we think both are just next logical steps to doing business more responsibly. Economic growth for the past two centuries has been tied to an ever-spiraling carbon bonfire. Business – and human – success in the next 100 years will have to come from working with nature rather than using it up. That is a necessity, not a luxury as it’s seen now in most business quarters. We invite and encourage all companies to start to work with us in that direction.

To apply for funding or seek information regarding the $20 Million and Change program, please email:info@patagoniaworks.com or call (805) 667-2300.

[via transworld business]

B4BC’s Shred The Love – Coming To Mammoth May 3rd – 4th, Hosted By Kimmy Fasani

Story by Transworld Business

TransWorld SNOWboarding is proud to be the official media partner for Boarding For Breast Cancer‘s (B4BC) “2013 Shred The Love, Mammoth” — the final stop on the 2013 Shred The Love winter series. The weekend will be hosted by Kimmy Fasani, and will include yoga,  ride days, and a silent auction dinner to benefit cancer education and prevention programs. B4BC supporters expected to include: Hana Beaman, Elena Hight, Kaitlyn Farrington, Torah Bright, Jamie Anderson, Kelly Clark, and Gretchen Bleiler.

TransWorld SNOWboarding will also be donating an autographed limited edition ‘Volcom Trophy Wife’ snowboard, courtesy of B4BC rider, Elena Height. You can have a chance to win the board in the silent auction dinner on Friday, May 3rd at Underground Lodge.

Check out the details from B4BC below for how you can be involved with this awesome weekend!

What: Join B4BC team rider and pro snowboarder Kimmy Fasani as she Shreds the Love for B4BC on May 3-4 at Mammoth Mountain. Fasani, along with husband and pro skier Chris Benchetler, will wrap the 2012–2013 snow season at Mammoth Mountain as hosts for the final stop of B4BC’s 2013 Shred the Love Winter Series.

The two-day event will kick off with a silent auction benefit dinner at the Underground Lounge on Friday, May 3. On Saturday, May 4, festivities will kick off with a morning B4BC Yoga Heals session with local yoga instructor Kathy Dolan of Class It Up Fitness at the Village, followed by a Ride Day that will include a Lap-a-Thon and race course open to the public.

Friends of B4BC and Kimmy that will be in attendance include B4BC team riders Hana Beaman, Elena Hight and Kaitlyn Farrington along with pros Torah Bright, Jamie Anderson, Kelly Clark, Gretchen Bleiler and more.

All proceeds will benefit B4BC’s year-round education and prevention programs, with B4BC donating a portion of the weekend’s contributions to Mammoth Hospital Cancer Outreach programs.

When:

Friday, May 3 – 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
It’s Personal Dinner – Silent Auction, Ride-with-a-Pro Auction, Meet ‘n Greet with Pros in an intimate dinner setting at Underground Lounge in the Village (6201 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546). A limited number of tickets are available for purchase in advance for $100.

Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.

B4BC Yoga Heals with Kathy Dolan at The Village Main Plaza (6201 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546). Open to the public with a suggested donation of $10.

Shred the Love Mammoth Event, Hosted by Kimmy Fasani & Chris Benchetler
11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Lap-a-Thon at Main Lodge: Chair 1
$50 Fundraising Minimum (Advance registration required – details below).

10 a.m.-12 p.m. – Open Race Course at Main Lodge, with check-in by Chair 1.
Open to the public with a suggested donation of $10.

Ticket & Registration info:
To create your personal fundraising page to participate in Shred the Love Mammoth and be in the running for top prizes and awards (May 4), go to http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise/team?ftid=16937

To purchase tickets to the “It’s Personal” Dinner: www.stayclassy.org/B4BCKimmyFasani

Ride Day Details:
From 11 a.m.-1 p.m., registered participants who have fundraised at least $50 can compete to complete as many laps on Chair 1 as possible during the two-hour time frame on skis or a snowboard. Skiers and riders can participate on their own or as part of a relay team. Prizes will be awarded to the individual who completes the most laps, as well as the three top fundraisers. The race course will be open to all from 10 a.m.-12 p. m. with a $10 donation to opt in.

Additional Info:
Event partners for Shred the Love Mammoth hosted by Kimmy Fasani include Mammoth Mountain, TWSnow, Zico and more. For more information about B4BC or about the Shred the Love Winter Series, go to www.b4bc.org.

About Shred the Love:
Shred the Love is a way of being—healthy, active and aware. The goal of the Shred the Love campaign is to promote a healthy, active lifestyle during the winter season through community activism in support of B4BC’s education and prevention efforts. At least 30 percent of funds raised will be donated to local non-profit organizations that align with B4BC’s mission. Mountain resorts, winter enthusiasts, industry partners and local businesses are encouraged to participate in board-a-thons, women’s week activities and online fundraising pages, hosted by B4BC. Now in it’s third season, Shred the Love is an open invitation for friends everywhere to get on board and win sweet prizes along the way. The last stop of the Shred the Love Winter Series is at Mammoth Mountain on May 3-4, 2013. Register to get involved at http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise/team?ftid=16937

Berkshire East To Become First Ski Area To Be Fully Powered By On-Site Renewables

Story by Unofficialnetworks.com

A new solar installation a Berkshire East Ski Area has helped the Massachusetts ski area to become the worlds first ski area to be powered entirely from on-site renewables.

World’s First Ski Area Fully Powered With On-Site Renewables

The year-round resort recently developed a 500kW solar tracker farm that will produce 700,000kWh annually. The solar farm will supplement a 900kW wind turbine the company installed in 2011. Together, the two systems will cover the area’s entire annual electric demand.

The recently commissioned 500kW solar farm consists of 90 dual-axis AllSun Trackers, which are manufactured in Vermont and follow the sun throughout the day to boost energy production by up to 45 percent more than rooftop installations.

The AllSun Tracker is manufactured by AllEarth Renewables of Williston, Vt. The ground-mounted solar systems are designed for homes, businesses, non-profits, and commercial-scale installations. The company is a 2012 Inc. 500 business for fastest growing companies nation-wide and has installed over 1,400 complete grid-connected solar tracker systems.

Read more @ solardaily.com

Burton Joins Forces with POW vs. Climate Changes

By Giacomo Margutti for Red Bull

Burton & Protect Our Winters focus on building awareness through events and social media campaigns. 

In honor of Earth Day, Burton announces stepped-up efforts in support of Protect Our Winters (POW - protectourwinters.org), an athlete-focused foundation whose mission is to unite the winter sports community against the effects of climate change. 

Burton President Donna Carpenter commented:  

"Burton has a deep responsibility to the sport we helped pioneer and to the people and environment that sustain it. We are riders, and we take climate change personally because snowboarding is our life, our livelihood and our passion. By working more closely with POW, our hope is to encourage snowboarders to get involved with the very important work the organization is doing. Together, we can protect our winters." 

Burton and POW have strong ties already as Burton team riders Nicolas Muller, Danny Davis and John Jackson are actively involved with the POW Riders Alliance, a community of professional athletes committed to environmental leadership. And many Burton riders also signed a climate change petition last week that urged President Obama to take action on climate change and clean energy.  

Moving forward, Burton plans to encourage more riders to join POW’s efforts through social media campaigns, and the company will actively promote POW at marquee events like the US Open Snowboarding Championships. To kick things off, Burton and POW are launching an awareness campaign on Instagram where riders can share how they protect our winters and in turn win cool prizes from Burton and POW.  To get involved, riders simply upload a photo and caption that shows how they protect our winters to @burtonsnowboard on Instagram and tag #HowYouPOW. Each month, a new winner will be randomly selected and recognized for their fresh take on making a difference.  

Chris Steinkamp, Executive Director of Protect Our Winters said:  

"We're absolutely thrilled about our partnership with Burton. Our ability to unite the snow sports community, build grassroots advocacy and take a strong economic message to Washington is being taken to another level now."

RAMP Sports Begins US Snowboard Production for '13/'14

Story by Transworld Business

Park City, UT. (April 24, 2013) — RAMP Sports has officially begun U.S. production of its snowboard line, after three years of overseas production. This move allows RAMP to more closely monitor the production and quality control processes, as well as develop a more “green” snowboard line. With the move to the U.S., RAMP snowboards will be able to employ the same sustainable production process and materials of its ski line, including sustainably grown FSC certified bamboo cores and petrochemical-free Entropy eco resin.

“This is a move we have been looking forward to for a while now,” says CEO and Founder of RAMP Sports Mike Kilchenstein. “After the overwhelmingly positive response we received when we moved our ski production to the U.S. last year, we knew that we had to move our snowboard production to the states as well.”

In order to handle the added production of nearly 500 snowboards, RAMP will also be hiring two new production employees, bringing the company to 18 people from 4 people just two years ago. This growth has been necessary to keep up with sales increases of 300% over the previous year of their sustainably produced American made ski line.

“There are huge advantages for us in moving production to the U.S.,” continued Kilchenstein. “One key advantage is being able to continually prototype and test our snowboard line. This has already led to the creation of a new big-mountain version of our popular Tumbleweed board, which is sure to be a hit in the Rockies.”

Links:

RAMP Sports: http://www.RampSports.com

RAMP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rampsports

RAMP on Twitter/Instagram: @RampSports

About RAMP Sports:

Based in Park City, UT, RAMP (Riders Artists Musicians Project) is a ski and snowboard company that brings expertly handcrafted gear to skiers and snowboarders at factory direct prices. RAMP is a 100% Utah-based company from design and development to production, and manufactures in a state-of-the art facility just minutes away from three ski resorts. Skier and rider owned, RAMP