Seattle, WA – On a day when shoppers will be tripping over one another trying to score a Black Friday deal, one chain will be trying something different this year: closing its doors. “We’re closing all 143 of our stores,” the company explained in an email distributed on Monday. “Instead of reporting to work, we’re … Continue reading REI Tries Something New for Black Friday: Closing
Longmont, CO – Snow safety gear brand Ortovox is bring its Mountainwear collection to U.S. retailers this season. Ortovox Mountainwear is a full line of apparel ready for any mountain adventure, including hardshells, softshells, mid-layers, insulation, baselayers, accessories and lifestyle clothing. Each article of the collection integrates the use of wool, either Tasmanian-sourced merino or Swisswool as … Continue reading Ortovox Brings Apparel Line to the U.S.
Stockholm, Sweden – Action sports safety gear brand POC has partnered with French engineering and wearable protection specialist In&Motion to launch a new airbag vest for ski cross and alpine racers. The Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) has approved the Spine VPD 2.0 Airbag, available to consumers in fall 2016, for use in both disciplines. The … Continue reading POC Introduces Airbag Vest
McLean, VA – The U.S. retail snow sports market topped $4.5 billion in 2014-15, according to numbers released this week by the non-profit industry trade association SnowSports Industries America (SIA). That reflects a two percent increase over 2013-14, SIA researchers indicate. Split up by retail channel, chain stores had a great year, tallying $2.2 billion, up 13 … Continue reading U.S. Retail Snow Sports Market Tops $4.5 Billion
Victoria, BC – The death of a Brazilian exchange student on Grouse Mountain near Vancouver in 2013 has prompted the British Columbia Coroner’s Service to call for mandatory ski helmet use throughout the province. “Though it remains unclear if the use of a helmet may have prevented life-threatening traumatic brain injury in Luca’s case, it is … Continue reading B.C. Coroner Calls for Mandatory Ski Helmets for All
Salt Lake City, UT – Black Diamond Equipment has sold ski helmet, goggle and other protective gear brand POC to the private equity firm Investcorp for $65 million. The sale continues Black Diamond’s initiative announced last March to focus on its Black Diamond and PIEPS brands. Black Diamond first acquired POC in July 2012 for … Continue reading Black Diamond Sells POC to Private Equity Firm
Sydney, Australia – A Sydney-area company has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund development of what may be the world’s smartest ski helmet ever… and the most expensive. Forcite’s new $799 brain bucket includes a built-in 4K camera system with a 140-degree field of view to shoot ultra-high definition video, a bluetooth wireless audio system … Continue reading Kickstarter Campaign Launched for Pricey High-Tech Ski Helmet
