Burton GMP Biltmore System Jacket

Embrace Mother Earth in the men’s Burton GMP Biltmore Jacket, featuring eco-friendly and recycled materials wherever possible—including 100% Recycled PET and Bamboo Ripstop Fabrics, waterproof/breathable laminates and finishes, linings, shock cords, elastics, buttons, zipper pulls, labels, and artwork applications. Even cooler is that this ONE jacket is actually THREE. Underneath the weatherproof DRYRIDE Durashell™ 2-Layer Eco-Laminated shell [10,000MM, 10,000G] you’ll find a removable, quick-drying 100% Recycled PET Bonded fleece hoodie. Wear the shell and hoodie midwinter, just the shell in the spring, and the hoodie for the remaining 226 days of the year. Factor in all of the jacket’s added features, such as a removable waist gaiter, goggle, sound, and pass pockets, venting Pit Zips™, and LIFETIME WARRANTY and this just might be the best jacket…uh…jackets you’ll ever get.

Purchase at Burton.com $309.95

2010/11 Snowboard Market Outlook Report

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) just released a preliminary analysis of the 2010/11 snow season based on pre-season orders, last year’s sales, the overall economy, and the number of retailers in the game. The study features some great insight into where snowboard sales are trending as welll as some positive figures, as long as Mother Nature decides to play ball this winter.

SIA collected pre-season order data from its 700 member companies, representing 1,200 brands, and on the snowboard front,  orders are trending up for the boot and binding categories.

While the number of units pre-booked are up slightly for boots and bindings, things continue to trend down for boards, which like all snowboard hardgoods, are off substantially from 2008/09 pre-book levels as dealers shift their strategy to focus on at-once orders and further reduce exposure to inventory levels.

Speaking of inventory levels, the reduction in last year’s stocks, and the resulting increase in average sales prices and margins were one of the highlights of last year’s data. Look for this trend to continue and average prices to continue to move in a positive direction.

Having the correct inventory is key for any retailer, as well as the correct production numbers for manufacturers. Here’s a look at the top selling boards of the 2009/10 season at SIA’s retailers.

*Note: These are arranged alphabetically.

We’ve all been hearing tales of retailers vanishing across the country due to the economy and increased market pressures. SIA  took a look at how many retailers are left standing and the results are interesting. Last year, 173 retailers that sold ski or snowboard gear went out of business, but 185 doors opened to take their place. What’s more telling is that 103 managements went under while 65 opened, which translates to more doors out there owned by fewer players, i.e. there are less mom and pop shops and more chains.

All of these stats present different pictures depending on your role in the industry. Here’s SIA’s take on the forecast for the various sectors of the marketplace.

Story by Mike Lewis Transworld Business

SIA - SnowSport Industries America

Klättermusen Bilskiner Jacket - Ispo OutDoor Award 2010

This new jacket in organic cotton and recycled polyester won the finest of all prizes, the Ispo OutDoor Award 2010.  This is what the jury had to say: Klättermusen’s Bilskiner Jacket is a skillful synthesis of sustainable materials and a high degree if function with a successful design. Despite foregoing membranes conventionally used in outerwear construction, the Bilskirner Jacket exhibits all technical characteristics of an Outdoor jacket and is the perfect alternative for more than just eco-conscious Outdoor sports enthusiasts.  Bilskirner is perfect for those who want a versatile jacket for year-round activities, and is ideal in the winter due to its protective wind visor.

Features:

• Fluorocarbon free

• DWR PFOA free DWR

• Long life cycle as opposed to lightweight products.

• Natural material or non fossil carbon source, more than 70%

• Organic certified material

• Biodegradable, more than 70%

• 1% to the environment projects

For more info visit Klättermusen’s website!

Burton GMP Day Hiker 20L Pack

Add an eco-influence to your next excursion with the Burton GMP Day Hiker 20L Pack made from 100% recycled PET. Way greener than that bag of schwag your cousin sold you, this bag feature main body materials all made from recycled soda bottles.

Purchase at burton.com $99

Mountain Rider’s Alliance

Mountain Rider’s Alliance is a group of like-minded people dedicated to making a positive change in the ski area industry, as well as supporting the environment, surrounding communities, and decreasing fossil fuel dependency.

MRA promotes building mountain resorts that combine values-based, environmentally-friendly, rider-owned-and-operated ski area management with the business of alternative energy creation, otherwise referred to as ski-energy centers.

Mountain Rider’s Alliance ski-energy centers concentrate on decreasing our carbon footprint, while at the same time assisting the surrounding communities in energy independence.

It is MRA’s priority to develop sustainable mountain playgrounds that offer an epic riding experience, help the environment thrive and promote prosperity in our ski towns.

Our path to complete oil independence is in the infancy of its potential, but with citizens around the world working together to create change, there is the possibility for a cleaner and brighter tomorrow. Or as climate change activist and author, Ross Gelbspan, stated, "Climate change is not just another issue. It is the issue that, unchecked, will swamp all other issues. The only hope lies in all the countries of the world coming together around a common global project to rewire the world with clean energy. This is a path to peace --- peace among people, and peace between people and nature."

For More information visit www.MountainRidersAlliance.com or go to their facebook page.

Shreddy Times

From time to time (especially in the summer) we like to report on things not totally related to sustainability but definitely worth a look! Have you heard of Shreddy Times? Shreddy Times is a super sick snowboard production company based out of Lake Tahoe. Visit their website at www.shreddytimes.com or drop them a line at production@shreddytimes.com.

Check out their latest EDIT from Mt Hood! 

We like to have fun, snowboard, and make videos about how much fun we have snowboarding! - Shreddy Times

www.shreddytimes.com

Venture Snowboards Supports POW Again in 2010

Thank you to Venture Snowboards for their generous 2010 contribution and on-going support of Protect Our Winters.  Venture is committed to sustainability in all aspects of their business - from building their cores with Forest Stewardship Council certified wood, converting their entire operation to to wind power and becoming a member of 1% For The Planet, where they can support organizations like POW.

Thank you to Klem and Lisa, the Founders of Venture for their commitment to sustainable business and their support of Protect Our Winters.  Venture is of POW’s original supporters and we appreciate their on-going support since 2008.

Check out their boards HERE, and take a look at the new limited-edition POW graphics available on any Venture board.