Burton 2010/2011 Binding Update

Next season Burton plans on expanding their GMP regrind process across the entire binding line above the $160 price point. This significantly reduces the amount of virgin material Burton uses each year, while still maintaining the quality and lifetime guarantee on all baseplates. In addition to eco-friendly advances, they continue to work closely with their material partners to develop superior materials with a variety of flex characteristics. Make sure to check out Burton's new bindings set to hit the shelves this fall.

For more info on next season's bindings check out this transworld business article.

Drop DPI Bigfoot Glove

The second iteration of Drop's tribute to creative individuals who inspire Drop and their lifestyle, this year's DPI SERIES features artwork by legendary BIGFOOT. Features include:

-Aquabloc® Waterproof, Windproof, Breathable insert

-Recycled 3 layer thermal ply soft shell sidewalls, forchettes and main shell

-Artwork by Bigfoot

-Chamude palm with durostick silicone printing

-Moisture wicking microfleece lining

-‘Palm Pull’ micro-adjustment tab

-PU Flock goggle / nose wipe

Purchase at shopatron.com $55

Dragon E.C.O. Goggles

Following up from Dragon’s successful launch of the first ever E.C.O. sunglass, the line now expands into an entire collection including the first ever E.C.O. goggles.

E.C.O. (Environmentally Conscious Optics) is an initiative to help reduce their environmental footprint by exploring different types of sustainable materials and manufacturing methods.

To support this initiative, each E.C.O. sunglass is made form 100% renewable origins such as plant oil instead of petroleum. This means that Mother Nature replenishes the material used at the same rate that it is consumed.

Simultaneously, Dragon worked closely with their engineers, designers, and in-house development team to recycle old goggles and reuse the polyurethane to make new ones. They’ve also used bamboo for hypoallergenic micro fleece material and reduced chemical resins by using a new innovative gasket welding process in the lens. To add the cherry on top, Dragon partnered up with POW (Protect Our Winters) by donating $1 per E.C.O. goggle sold to help fight the causes of global warming.

Each E.C.O. product includes FSC certified packaging material and comes with 100% organic cotton bags, printed with water-based ink. It’s the small things that count…those of which Dragon has paid close attention to while developing the E.C.O. line.

Visit Dragonalliance.com for more info.

Story and photo from Dragon's Spring Eyewear 2010 Catalog.

Arbor working with True Offsets

Arbor has been working with True Offsets for the last two years donating a portion of their revenue to help them plant Koa trees in Hawaii. In doing so Arbor is helping to restore the planet's health through reforestation and ecological restoration while helping mitigate the fossil fuel used by the industrialized world. You can learn more about True Offsets at www.trueoffsets.com.

I Ride For Kevin Tee Shirt

In support of Burton rider Kevin Pearce, and his recovery after sustaining a traumatic brain injury, all profits from this t-shirt will be donated to the Brain Injury Association of Vermont (BIAVT). BIAVT is dedicated to creating a better future for those with a brain injury and their families through injury prevention, education, advocacy and support. Visit www.biavt.org for more information.

Visit burton.com to purchase - $19.95!

Celsius Climate Boot

Celsius is doing their part to help keep things green. The Celsius Climate boots utilizes hemp, which grows incredibly fast, needs no pesticides and emits much less CO2 in processing compared to other materials. Celsius teams up with its custom O-Zone liner, which requires no harmful chemicals to produce, further reducing your carbon footprint. Other features include:

• One piece O-zone stoke strap for enhanced heel hold and fit
• Breathable Liner (Air Circulation)
• Custom Celsius 3 Part Outsole
• Flex Level: 7
• Custom Hidden Gel Outsole
• Self-Fit Memory Foam Footbed
• Custom Molded Insole

Purchase at one of these retailers.

Arbor & Firewire Surfboards - April 2010

Firewire and Arbor are proud to announce a collaborative surfboard offering that will arrive in stores this spring. The designs combine Firewire’s use of epoxy resins and EPS foam materials, which are less harmful to the environment, and Arbor’s signature, sustainably sourced, structural wood power ply technology.

In its short history, Firewire has had a significant influence on the surf industry, bringing a range of new materials and cutting-edge technology to the forefront of surfboard design. This made them an ideal partner for Arbor who has been using environmentally friendly, natural materials to improve the performance, durability, and style of snowboards, skateboards, and apparel since 1995. The two companies share uniquely similar philosophies in that they develop ways to improve their products through innovations that have less impact on the environment that surfers, snowboarders, and skateboarders use every day.

“We’re stoked to collaborate with a company whose DNA so closely matches our own,” says Firewire’s CEO, Mark Price, “and to capture the essence of Arbor’s unique wood signature, while at the same time adding a stunning aesthetic to Firewire’s high performance surfboards.”

The initial offering will be built around Firewire’s best selling surfboard, the Dominator. The new “Koa” Dominator will feature the same sustainably sourced, Hawaiian Koa power ply used by Arbor for years in the legendary Element snowboard and across half of the popular skateboard line. Koa wood represents a strong tie in for this new offering as it was originally used by the native Hawaiians to build the first surfboards over 600 years ago. The new “Wasteland” Dominator uses the stunning laser cut / inlay wood technology pioneered by Arbor in the snowboard industry. The Wasteland’s inlaid wood power ply is made up of 78 individual pieces of laser cut veneer, selected from 6 different sustainably sourced species. The wood grain is, in fact, being used to create the Wasteland’s graphic.

The Dominator is perhaps the most versatile board in the Firewire quiver. It combines a full outline with a thick foil from nose to tail and a 5/4/3 fin configuration. Surfers can’t help but take notice of the flex and lightweight characteristics of Firewire’s Rapidfire Technology. The two new designs will be offered in a wide range of lengths: 5’ 6”, 5’ 8”, 5’10”, 6’ 0”, 6’ 2”, and 6’ 4”.

“For a long time we’ve looked for the right way to take our technology and create something original for the surf hardgoods market,” says Arbor co-founder, Bob Carlson. “If you know us or our products, it’s pretty clear that a fair share of our roots and large part of our lives are based in surf. Surfboards have always been the obvious brand extension. Now, with the rise of Firewire and the opportunity created by this collaboration, I think the timing and manner are right for Arbor to enter the surfboard market in the most positive and unique possible way.”

The new Koa and Wasteland Dominator surfboards will be sold through Firewire’s existing distribution channels and will be available in April of 2010. For all of the technical details on Firewire’s flexible, lightweight surfboards, check out firewiresurfboards.com.

4 Pine Design - Greener Terrain Parks

Finding a niche is key to the success of a start up, and identifying unfulfilled needs and gaps in the market creates the best niches. But better yet is filling a void by combining your interests, passions, and expertise in creative ways that others haven’t.

After fourteen years of building parks, Stephen Laterra has done just that with his new company 4 Pine Design, which combines his expertise and passion for creative jibs with a life long dedication to improving the environment. While this combination may at first sound like an oxymoron when you consider the amount of energy and snowmaking that goes into building traditional features, Laterra makes a strong case for the multi-faceted benefits of his way of looking at park construction. “It translates something like that and is not difficult to follow,” says Laterra. “I am simply trying to reduce the amount of energy and natural resources used to create a product that only lasts five months a year.”

In 1996 Laterra began turning the joy of jib into a career, working with Vail on its park, and became its terrain park designer in ’99. “Over this time I kept an eye on water and power use along with how much snow was used and for what,” says Laterra. “Snow is not just used to build park features, but also used to modify the existing terrain such as correcting fall lines and filling holes. Not too long ago it hit me; is all this production necessary or can we reduce certain things and still create the same product? The answer is yes. Many resorts have done this already by moving earth in the off-season to reduce the amount of manmade snow needed. I have used these methods myself with great results. 4 Pine Design is attempting to make these practices a standard in the park industry. “

4 Pine Design’s efforts are intended to help resorts conserve money, energy, and reduce carbon outputs by decreasing the amount of inputs for its park over the long term. “The potential environmental and economical savings that can be achieved by resorts depends on how much they stick to the plan,” explains Laterra. “These savings will not happen over night and may take more than one season.”

Just as important is the creative use of natural terrain for innovative features that keep riders coming back. 4 Pine Design’s first major project has been revamping the park at Eldora Mountain Resort, a small mountain located 20 miles west of Boulder, Colorado’s ravenous college market. “Ten years ago they had a full park and pipe but for the past five years they scaled the program back, way back,” states Laterra. “That’s what made it different than most other projects. They are starting completely over and brought me in to get things up and running again. The main focus was to create a top quality product and educate and train their staff at the same time. The Boulder freestyle community is hungry for a great local park and Eldora is ready to provide it. I expect great things over the coming seasons.”

Laterra’s goal is to build an alliance of resorts implementing environmentally focused approaches to building parks, an initiative he sees becoming a necessity over time. “In five years the industry may be forced to take more environmental initiatives,” believes Laterra. “Unlimited snowmaking may no longer be a luxury. And who knows what the cost of fuel will be? My opinion is that it would be better to begin these policies today as a group so that every one would benefit and ensure the future of the industry.”

Check out 4 pine’s website fourpinedesign.com for more info.

Story by Mike Lewis, Transworld Business

Burton's Green Mountain Project Explained

Burton's Green Mountain Project program has been around for a few years now. Each year they offer more and more products with the GMP stamp. In order to be eligible for this stamp the product has to meet a percentage of the requirements above. If it does then it will be stamped GMP. Check out the GMP line at burton.com.

Union Cadet Reunion Bindings

The first environmentally conscious binding in the Union's line, the Cadet Reunion utilizes recycled EVA, as well as the excess pieces and byproduct material created by the production of our other bindings. Basically, we've created a kick ass binding and simultaneously almost completely eradicated all nylon waste from our production process. Two birds with one stone! Union also utilizes a natural fiber material which is an extremely durable and eco-friendly fabric that seam to get better and better with time.

You can purchase a pair of these bombproof bindings at one of your favorite retailers for around $100!

Johan Olofsson Joins Venture Snowboards

One of snowboarding's most sustainable companies is super stoked to announce that big mountain legend Johan Olofsson has joined their team as a product tester, and will be contributing to product design and development at Venture Snowboards.

Initially an accomplished freestyle rider, Swedish-born Olofsson is renowned for being one of the first snowboarders to take freestyle tricks out of the terrain park and into big mountain environments. According to an interview in White Lines, "What followed was nothing short of mindblowing...he tackled lines which veterans of the Alaskan heli scene had only contemplated in their dreams, with a speed and fluidity that would change the concept of freeriding forever."

In 1996, Olofsson shook the very foundations of snowboarding with his descent of the Cauliflower Chutes in the Standards Films movie TB5. The ride took him down an Alaskan slope of over 40 degrees and 3,000 vertical feet in just 35 seconds, averaging close to 50 miles per hour. This feat landed him in the 1996 Guinness Book of World Records and solidified his status as a living legend of big mountain snowboarding.

Olofsson's involvement with Venture began last spring when we sent him a splitboard while filming in Glacier Bay National Park for the Teton Gravity Research movie Deeper. After riding Venture's Storm splitboard in some of Alaska's most remote and inaccessible terrain, Olofsson was impressed. "I like the solid feel of Venture boards and the first try at riding the Storm was a blast. The rockered shape and snappy turns make it a fun freeride board. You can slash and throw the tail around in all kinds of places. I like to have fun on my board and this one helps."

The primary role Olofsson will play with Venture will be to influence product design and development. "I'm super stoked to have Johan riding our boards and am looking forward to working with him on continuing to improve our designs," says Klemens Branner, Venture's founder and co-owner. "It's going to be amazing to have one of the world's most accomplished freeriders collaborating with us."

Olofsson is also excited about the opportunity, especially in regard to developing splitboards. "I'm always looking into projects that will progress the sport, in this case freeride boards which are getting to be a rare breed in the industry. The split theory speaks for itself. Working on this level with Venture makes it possible to create and shape boards quickly, and I hope to get some good shapes out there for you all."

venturesnowboards.com

Rome Charge Boots

The Rome Charge snowboard boot is constructed with Tri-Zone lining to accommodate different parts of your leg and foot. In each of these three different areas we use different levels of Comfort Foam as well as different face materials to provide the ultimate comfort for your entire lower leg. The Charge also has Progressive Flex which is a unique flex pattern that increases in support the more the boot flexes in order to be the most supportive when you are riding the hardest.

New to the lineup in 2010, the Charge blends the technology to create a moderate flex profile with a material selection that is friendlier to the environment. The Charge incorporates a low solvent, partially re-used synthetic leather, reground rubber in the outsoles, and is offered two color-ways: one with 100% recycled wool felt, and the other has fast growing hemp. Enjoy what you love while you support a product that works to keep the snow under your feet for years to come.

Rome SDS has always been about one thing: getting on the hill and riding with your friends. The Rome Charge Snowboard Boots are designed to feed and nurture your ongoing battle with shred addiction. Rome’s products are built with this in mind and they have a firm understand of what it means to be a snowboarder. When we are in search of shred, all other demands and distractions of life are stripped away leaving only one thing: SNOWBOARDING.

Purchase at one of these retailers.

Winterstick Snowboards & Wagner Custom Utilize Energy and Waste Conservation

Winterstick boards are designed and produced at the Wagner Custom ski factory in Colorado. To minimize their carbon footprint, they focus on energy conservation and waste stream minimization. Regarding energy, Wagner Custom first focuses on simple energy efficiency and conservation measures to minimize their overall energy loads. The company’s entire factory floor is heated by a large solar thermal array (see image above). To offset its electricity loads, Wagner Custom purchases high quality wind-energy credits that support farmer-owned wind turbines in the Midwest.

Regarding waste stream reduction, Wagner Custom recycles it’s steel and plastic scraps while reusing (and selling) its wood core scraps as kindling.

They're also currently working with some bio-resin systems but haven’t implemented them into their full scale production yet.

For more info go to winterstick.com and wagnerskis.com.

Pyua - German Outdoor Clothing Company

Pyua is a German outdoor clothing company, who were Finalists in the ISPO Brandnew Awards in 2009. This year they've managed to score a ISPO Eco Responsibility Award in the Textile category for their Climate 2L Padded Jacket and Pants.

The judges liked that these freeride ski garments was made waterproof, by virtue of a Sympatex membrane, which unlike the ePTFE (teflon) substrates used by eVent and Gore-Tex can be easily recycled. Additionally Pyua had selected a recycled polyester face fabric and lining material for the Climate jacket. The materials selected also mean that, like Pyua's other outdoor clothing, the shell can itself be readily recycled at the conclusion of its useful life.

Although the Climate jacket not yet available at retail, Pyua small range of current skiwear tops and pants provide similar in-use functionality and end-of-life product stewardship. Except, instead of using Sympatex, these styles are crafted with Teijin's EcoStorm.

Eco Storm is waterproof and breathable film described by its Japanese makers as using recycled fibres, being recyclable through their Eco Circle system, and avoiding the use of solvents during production of the film, with few toxic gases released when burnt. Yet they say it achieves a waterproofness that labs test out at 20,000mm of hydrostatic resistance. With a breathability in the range of 5,0000g/m2 to 15,000g/m2 of moisture permeability per 24 hours.

Eco Circle is the same recycling system used by the likes of Patagonia and Nau. It is said to reduce energy use by an estimated 84% and carbon dioxide emissions by 77%.

As a new company in the outdoor arena, it's great to see Pyua taking such a strong line of environmental responsibility from the outset. Most of their website is understandably in German. But strangely their online store is also available in English.

Check them out at pyua.de!

Treehugger story, photos: Pyua

Bay Area Ski Bus

The Bay Area Ski Bus is the #1 Ski Tour Operator to Lake Tahoe. It operates fun, safe bus trips for Adults, Teens, Families and all types of groups. With 19 pick up locations, the ski bus will take you to all the main resorts in both North and South Lake Tahoe. The one day trip includes a round trip ride, lift ticket, continental breakfast, & after-ski snacks for only $105. Taking the Bay Area Ski Bus is cheaper, environmentally friendly, and reduces traffic. For more info go to bayareaskibus.com.

GNU Altered Genetics BTX Banana Rocker Snowboard

The GNU Altered Genetics BTX Banana Rocker Snowboard has a Banana Rocker unlike any rocker before its time. With a stiffer flex, the GNU Altered Genetics BTX Banana Rocker Snowboard is perfect for cruising backcountry booters and for those riders who want to work a little harder to press out butters in the park. Engineered to break the norms of traditional snowboarding genes, the GNU Altered Genetics BTX Banana Rocker Snowboard is a mutant freestyle and freeride board ready to take the mountain by storm. Features Include:

• Flex and Rider Style – Flex rating of 7 (1 Softest, 10 Stiffest). A stiffer board for those who shred the whole hill like it’s nobody’s business.
• Construction and Core – Mervin AG3 Eco Farmed Wood Core combines the best properties of Aspen (light/strong), Balsa (superlight), and Bamboo (high flex strength/fast growing) to provide unbelievable pop
• Banana Magnetraction Shred Technology and sandwich construction combine to bring out the best properties of the three woods in the core, using Vectran liquid crystal polymer with ten times the strength of Titanium
• The Beans Bio Polymer topsheet is strong, durable, and environmentally-friendly.
• Sidewalls and Edges – Double sintered UHMW Sidewalls
• Magnetraction serrated sidecut has 7 points of contact to turn ice into powder.
• Base – Sintered 9900 alloy base is fast as lightning.

Purchase at evo.com $549.90

Volcom V.Co-Logical Series

Organic garments from the Volcom V.Co-Logical Series represent Volcom’s socially responsible attempt to sustain and protect our planet’s rapidly shrinking natural resources. By utilizing sustainable alternatives like 100% certified organic cotton, hemp, vegetable dyes, organic stains and other low impact production methods, the Volcom V.Co-Logical series incorporates progressive Volcom styling with an environmentally clear conscience. In addition, the Volcom V.Co-Logical series has teamed up with 1% For The Planet to set up a program where 1% of sales of the series will be donated to environmental causes through their organization.

Purchase V.Co-Logical Series gear from one of these retailers.

Oakley Women's En Bleiler Jacket

Oakley Women's En Bleiler Jacket - So you like going to the mountain, and you want to save the glades you shred all winter, but how do you show this affection to the world? Thankfully, The Oakley En Bleiler Jacket is tree-hugger good, without the boredom and unrequited feelings accrued by actually hugging trees. Gretchen Bleiler’s eco-friendly jacket is made entirely of recycled material so you can save the planet and kick it old-school in the glades on your favorite mountain at the same time. Features Include:

• 100% recycled polyester fabric (Eco Circle™ program)
• Waterproof rating: 10,000, Breathable rating: 10,000g/m2/24h
• DuPont™ Active Layer recyclable polyester membrane
• Critically placed fleece backed with 3M® Thinsulate® insulation
• Removable snow-skirt, Underarm vent system, Wrist gaiters, Fully taped seams

Sizes: S-XL

Colors: Black, Blazing Green

Purchase at one of these retailers.

For the next 72hours, help 1Sky flood the Senate with phone calls demanding climate action

For the next 72hours, help flood the Senate with phone calls demanding climate action! From March 2-4, 1Sky supporters are joining with dozens of organizations – including climate and environmental, labor, business, veterans' advocacy, and many more – representing millions of Americans, calling on the U.S. Senate to stop Senator Lisa Murkowski's efforts to weaken the Clean Air Act and pass comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation that will put us on a path towards energy independence and secure our nation. Join the movement and sign-up today!

Register now to join "72 Hours for Clean American Power," on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, March 2-4 by going to this website.

If you have already registered, visit us online at http://www.1sky.org/72hours_call to make your calls today!

Planet Earth Unit Jacket

The Planet Earth Unit Jacket is a super stylish shell made of RecycloFaile, 100% Recycled Nylon, and 100% polyester/ThermaPlush lining, plus 10,000wp/5000br microporous coating. Other features include:

• Attached hood
• Powder skirt
• Armpit zipper vents
• Exterior media pocket
• Sleeve pocket
• Interior security pocket
• Interior goggle pocket
• Handwarmer pockets
• Critical seams taped
• 80/20 durable water resistant finish

Sizes: S-XL

Colors: Chive, Black (shown above)

Purchase at porterstahoe.com $175.99

Carbon Fund - Carbon Offsets

We all know getting to the best shred spots via car, plane, snowmobile, helicopter, etc. have a tremendous impact on the environment and each year diehard snowboarders head to more and more exotic locales. That said, consider offsetting your travels with renewable energy purchases, like those from Carbonfund.org. While it doesn't mean you should make a habit of extravagant trips, and there's still some controversy over carbon offsets—the funds still go to an invaluable service: supporting and developing alternative energy sources. The very alternative energy sources that we'll need to see more of, if we hope to continue shredding in the future.

Carbonfund.org