Greasebus Expands to Seattle in March

Starting next week Greasebus will expand its service to Seattle! The vegetable oil powered mass transit shuttle will take skiers and snowboarders to Steven's Pass and The Summit at Snoqualmie for only $10 roundtrip. Sign up for a ride at their website greasebus.com.

Northstar's Tradable Renewable Energy Credits

Northstar-at-Tahoe is offsetting approximately 215,600 pounds of global warming emissions associated with the ski area’s electrical energy use through a substantial purchase of Green Tags (also known as Tradable Renewable Energy Credits) from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. Northstar’s Green Tags purchase represents over 150 megawatt-hours of renewable energy produced from non-polluting wind resources located in the Pacific Northwest, equivalent to the annual electricity used by about 180 homes. Northstar was the first California Ski Area to purchase Green Tags in support of wind energy.

Northstar is also offering its customers a chance to add a full or Mini-Green Tag to their lift pass in order to help offset the vehicle emissions associated with their trip to the ski area. This means visitors to Northstar can now “Ski Pollution Free.”

Try to support resorts with similar measures; this will increase investment in alternative energy which is the main thing we need resorts to do to combat global warming!

Snowbomb's Tahoe Rideshare Board

Snowbomb's Tahoe Rideshare board allows you to search and post rides to your favorite resorts, hook up carpools, save money and gas, make new friends, and have a lot of fun doing it. Carpooling has the potential to reduce criteria air pollutants, green house gases, and traffic congestion. Check it out at ridelaketahoe.com.

Salomon Men's Dialogue G.I.F.T. Snowboard Boots

Take a step in an environmentally-conscious direction this season with Salomon's Dialogue GIFT snowboard boots. This season Salomon refined their popular, easy-fitting Dialogue snowboard boots with their G.I.F.T. (Green Initiative For Tomorrow) program that uses recycled goods in the construction without sacrificing boot performance. If you're keeping score on the Salomon Flex index chart, this season's Dialogue is just a little stiffer than previous incarnations, but it's still a great freestyle design for pipe, park and groomers. It features Salomon's proven Custom Fit Perf liner with heat moldable foam so you can customize the fit around the distinct shape of your forefoot, shin, heel and ankle areas. The result is a better foothold. Beneath your toes is a plush and eco-friendly pre-shaped bamboo footbed that's naturally comfortable. Outside the liner you'll find the proven Powerlace Pro closure system, which allows you to adjust the tension in two zones across your feet. It's easy to adjust and can be tightened with a quick and simple tug. Along the bottom you'll find a lightweight Dolby outsole made with Salomon's exclusive ADIPRENE soft compound to help you absorb landing impacts and remain balanced. If you're looking for a great-fitting and functional freestyle boot that's also better for the environment, Salomon's Dialogue GIFT is a step above traditional snowboard boot designs.

Purchase at backcountry.com $191.96

Jeremy Jones' Protect Our Winters Announces "Sixty Days" Campaign

Protect Our Winters is proud to announce the launch of the "Sixty Days" campaign and website, www.60daysto.org.

Last fall, the American Clean Energy and Security Act was passed through the U.S. House of Representatives. This landmark legislation is now in danger of being held up in the Senate, and POW is calling on the winter sports community to share their voices with their respective Senators.

"While some see climate change as a scientific phenomenon, when we look at the cost of inaction, it's serious business," said POW founder Jeremy Jones. "To us, climate change is a threat to our local economies, our jobs and the vitality of our unique mountain communities that draw millions of tourists each year who shop in our stores, ride our lifts, eat in our restaurants and support thousands of other small businesses."

For example, snow-based recreation in the United States was recently estimated to contribute an estimated $66 billion to the US economy and support approximately 566,000 jobs. (OIF, 2006).

A vote needs to take place within the next sixty days, or the process runs a serious risk of stalling, with the result of loosing the ground gained, and producing a very different future for winter around the world.

The "Sixty Days" website offers an overview of the issues at stake, shows the current voting position of each Senator, and gives users an easy way to send an e-letter telling Senators why passing strong climate legislation is crucial to the economic and cultural well being of mountain communities. The campaign is also being supported by an op-ed piece written by Jones and delivered to mountain community newspapers across the US.

The campaign was inspired by a January visit to Capitol Hill by Jones and a snow sports coalition to screen "Generations", a short film about climate change and its effect on those who depend on winter for their livelihoods. After meeting with an overwhelmingly positive response to the film, and finding out that many Senators are still undecided, Jones recognized the unique and powerful voice the snow sports community could have in tipping this important legislation toward passing in the Senate.

"Winter fuels our passions, but also fuels the lives of thousands of individuals who depend on annual tourism and recreation for their livelihoods," said Jones. "It's important that we come together as skiers, snowboarders, and winter enthusiasts to let the Senators know in these mountain regions that we support strong climate legislation and the move towards a new, clean energy economy."

Go to www.60daysto.org ASAP and send an email to your Senator now!

Celtek Sled Dog Glove

Aye Chihuahua! Check out Celtek's Andy Wright photo collaboration glove, the Sled Dog. With trigger finger construction, leather & poly-ox outers, reinforced leather palms, neoprene cuffs, Eco-Live fleece lining, embroidered logo hits, and 20K waterproof/breathability this glove will keep you warm, dry, and styling for the rest of the season.

Purchase at Milosport.com $79.95

Mike Basich Pro Model - Smokin' Snowboards

Mike Basich is probably the most self-sustained, sustainable snowboarder ever. He built his own eco-friendly, 300-square foot stone house known as Area-241, has his own outerwear company of the same name, shoots photos of himself, takes annual spring pilgrimages to Alaska, and personally mills each core for his Smokin Snowboard pro model from trees that fall on his property. He has been a part of this boards design from the most basic paper drawings to the final touches on the graphics. There is no toxic curtain coat to further pollute and the sidewalls are made from recycled sidewall material. Built to tackle anything, seriously anything, this board is a direct reflection of Mikes passion for the shred. Includes a list of important avalanche safety bits like a compass and avalanche awareness info, as well as a back country survival checklist and suggested after life options for when you decide to retire the board.

Sizes: 157, 162

Purchase at porterstahoe.com $426.99

Arbor Snowboards on Sale at REI

Arbor leads the pack when it comes to environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques and an environmental awareness. From Forest Stewardship Council certified wood cores, soy based inks, bamboo veneers, recycled bases, donating to environmental organizations plus much more Arbor is constantly striving to create better looking, higher performing, sustainable, and more durable snowboards. Now 11 of Arbor's snowboards are on sale at REI. Check out the sale at REI.com.

OneBallJay All Temperature BioGreen Rub-On Wax

OneBallJay's All Temperature BioGreen Rub-On wax is formulated with natural, sustainable, plant waxes and comes in a recyclable aluminum push up container with cork applicator. Great for stashing in your jacket and applying whenever you need it.

Purchase at rei.com $12.50

Planet Earth Branch Jacket

You can connect with nature without walking away soaked through to the bone. The Planet Earth Men’s Branch Jacket utilizes a recycled nylon shell to keep you dry when you’re chest deep in pow. Features include:

• RecycloFaile 100% recycled nylon shell introduces 10k waterproofing and 5000g of breathability into your life.

• 100% polyester ThermaPlush lining ensures that this shell doesn’t allow all your body heat to escape—Its super soft too.

• Underarm vents allow you to expel excess heat after a snot-freeing charge down your favorite one-mile long natural halfpipe.

• A powder skirt seals off you vulnerable areas from powder assaults on storm days.

• Hand warmer pockets, goggle pocket, media pocket, sleeve pocket, fried chicken pocket—This shell has more than enough pockets to satisfy your kleptomania.

Sizes: S - XL

Colors: White, Curry, Dark Brown

Purchase at dogfunk.com $179.96

The Oakley Arctic Challenge

Being green has always been a big part of The Arctic Challenge, Terje Haakonsen's world renown snowboard event that will take place March 5 – 7 in Wyllerloypa, Norway. Since the event took its first steps into the world, they have strived to do more than just make one amazing event after another. They want to make events with a clean, green, conscience, and wish to spread the message to their visitors as well. Giving everybody who enters the arena an opportunity to choose to go green.

The responsibility stretches from the first planning and meetings and who they choose to cooperate with, to how they lay out the arena and facilities to be as green as possible.

TAC believes in action, that is why they voluntarily participate in the Eco-Lighthuose certification of events (www.eco-lighthouse.com), and received the certification in 2009. Being certified as an Ego-Lighthouse event means that they have fulfilled a complex set of criteria that must be carried out in order to be certified. This includes everything from increasing the amount of waste being recycled to making sure as many as possible of their suppliers are green.

Along with TAC is Greener Events, a new foundation with Terje Haakonsen and philanthropist Jan Sundt, established in 2009. Together, TAC and Greener Events are working on helping other events like TAC becoming greener as well as spreading the enviro-message to children and youth.

For more information on TAC and its sustainable efforts visit http://www.t-a-c.no.

Nixon Volta - Solar Powered Watch

Nixon is pleased to announce The Volta, its first rechargeable, solar powered watch in the brand's history. A semi-transparent dial allows sunlight through to the solar panel below which charges the watch's battery. The Volta features a squared face, custom 3 hand Japanese rechargeable solar movement with date, 100 meter stainless steel case with domed hardened mineral crystal and triple gasket enamel filled crown, and custom molded polyurethane band with patented locking looper and polycarbonate buckle. Available 5 colors.

Purchase at nixon.com $240

Salomon Answer Snowboard

From tree lines to park runs, the Salomon Answer Snowboard is a smooth riding, nature-loving all-mountain directional twin. Featuring Salomon’s ultra strong, durable, and sustainable Aspen Strong Core and rubber rails to protect from delaminating and absorb shock, the Salomon Answer Snowboard is the Answer to all your problems. The Aspen strong core combined with an ABC Wrapper uses sustainable structural bambo vaneers to reduce its fiberglass, plastic, and resin content by 25%. The Salomon Answer Snowboard also features a sick, sublimated topsheet graphic by NYC-based artist Mike Perry. For all-mountain-annihilation and the feel good vibes of the G.I.F.T., the Answer is here. New for this season, ride it wide, with the Magnum.

Sizes: 148, 152, 156, 159, 163

Purchase at sierrasnowboards.com $350

Cappel Newcastle Jacket

The Cappel Outerwear Collection offers a couple eco-friendly fabrics including a Hemp Rip Stop fabric that blends hemp, recycled polyester and cotton, and a Recycled Dobby Polyester Blend fabric found in the Newcastle Jacket.

This jacket and the rest of the Cappel collection also feature trim details such as woven taping, elastic cording and gripper elastic that are made from recycled PET plastic bottles. In addition to the fabric and trims, all of Cappel's outerwear hangtags are made from 50% recycled material and they have eliminated the use of garment bags for all outerwear.

Sizes: XS-XL

Colors: Gray Denim/Dark Truffle Blurred Plaid, Cappel Weave/Black, Hemp/Recycled Rip Stop/Black, Multi-Plaid/Evergreen, Black/Subway Cold Changing Print

Purchase at porterstahoe.com $369.99

Holden Cedar Jacket

From the men's Holden Outerwear line here is the Cedar Jacket. This snowboarding jacket is made from 55% Hemp and 45% recycled PET polyester. Hemp grows quickly and is soft and durable and the use of recycled PET polyester from plastic bottles adds stability to the fabric. The fabric is laminated with a solvent free laminate to reduce stress on the environment and Holden workers. The Cedar jacket also features a flourocarbon-free DWR, this drastically cuts down on emisson levels and the zippers are earth-sustainable and the lining material is Eco-friendlier.

Sizes: M, L, XL

Colors: Black, Indigo, Charcoal Melange

Purchase at poterstahoe.com $359.99

Smith Evolve Helmets

Smith's Evolve helmets utilize Evolve X-Static, a full feature X-Static fabric that maintains its high level of performance while being ecologically friendly by using sustainable and renewable raw materials. Evolve X-Static is initially made by blending up to 50% recycled silver with other recycled materials to create a performance fabric that is 3.7% X-Static and 96.3% recycled polyester. Fabrics are then recycled at the end of their lifecycle to recover the silver content for further use. Evolve X-Static has earned the Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 accreditation, which certifies that they support human ecology through biocompatibility and the absence of harmful substances in the manufacturing process. Plus all Evolve product packaging has been minimized and made from recycled and recyclable post-consumer products, is FSC certified, and uses vegetable based inks.

The Evolve helmet line includes the Variant Brim, Variant, and Maze, the world's lightest certified snow helmet (shown above).

For more info go to smithoptics.com.

Smith Evolve Googles

In 2008 Smith introduced goggles made from 96% re-ground urethane. Utilizing recycled material from other companies, they reduced their dependency on virgin urethane. As the next step in Smith's Evolve program, they have integrated Merquinsa's Pearlthane ECO bio-TPU into their goggle line wherever possible. This material is composed of 40% bio-based material, derived from plant-based oils. To top it off the Evolve packaging has been minimized and made from recycled and recyclable post-consumer products and uses vegetable based inks. All of the Evolve packaging is FSC certified.

For more info on Smith's Evolve Snow Goggle line consisting of the Phenom, Prodigy, and I/O (shown above) go to smithoptics.com.

Snow Sports Coalition Visits Washington to Discuss Implications of a Warming Environment

Boulder, CO (Feb. 1, 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, Executive Director of POW, Steve Jones, Founder of Teton Gravity Research (TGR), Elysa Hammond, Director of Environmental Stewardship of Clif Bar and Elizabeth Burakowski, PhD student in Earth Science,Complex Systems Research Center at the 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 former ski resort developer Bill Jenkins, 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."