By Eric Smith
Welcome to the debut of The Week in Snowsports Business, where you’ll find recent highlights of Snowsports Business Report’s coverage from the last five days, the latest industry buzz, news items of interest to the winter outdoor industry, additional nuggets from my snowsports notebook, and some of the topics and trends we’re keeping an eye on.
Without further ado…
The week’s biggest snowsports business stories in SBR
In case you missed it, here is what we covered in the Snowsports Business Report this week. Our most-read story was an announcement from Teton Gravity Research about its Premium membership program. We also featured some key business hires at Burton and Alterra Mountain Co., as well as a new initiative from Bollé Brands to enhance its dealer relationships.
- Teton Gravity Research (TGR), the Jackson, Wyo.-based media company, announced additional benefits for all Teton Gravity Research TV Premium Members, such as the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars on premium brands Mammut and J Skis, as well as a discount on room rates with no blackout dates at the acclaimed Continuum Hotel in Jackson Hole. Sounds totally rad. Click here to read all about it.
- Burton just upped its marketing and creative game with two stellar hires. The Vermont-based (but extremely global) snowboard brand named Kelly Murnaghan as senior vice president of global marketing and Adrian Josef Margelist as executive creative director. Both Murnaghan and Margelist report to Burton CEO John Lacy and have officially started in their respective roles. I interviewed Adrian when he was with Mammut. He’s going to bring some sweet ideas to an already innovative brand. Click here to read more about Burton’s new talent.
- Alterra Mountain Co. — the operator of 15 mountain destinations — announced a restructuring of its operating model and some new talent for its leadership team as the ski resort operator “looks toward its long-term future, while navigating the upcoming winter season during the pandemic.” Click here to see the latest moves and hires at the Denver-based company.
- Bollé Brands, the maker of snow goggles (and other products), is launching a new digital B2B platform to help its retail partners grow their business and simplify their ERP and inventory management programs. The platform is in support of Bollé’s Customer First Program, and it’s another sign of the Lyon, France-based company’s “commitment to give retailers all the necessary tools to succeed, from the most innovative products to the most advanced ERP and inventory management programs.” Click here to learn more about the platform.
Other snowsports stories that caught our eye
- Unfortunately, the biggest news in the snowsports world this week was that Powder magazine would be folding. Read the announcement from the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Sierra Shafer. And always remember, Powder to the People.
- Also on the media front — and breaking on Friday afternoon after this story was already online — Pocket Outdoor Media acquired Big Stone Publishing, the publisher of Rock & Ice, Trail Runner, and Gym Climber magazines and websites. Pocket Outdoor Media owns SKI Magazine and other outdoor titles, as we reported in June.
- The Salt Lake City Tribune has a fab feature on the relatively new ski maker WNDR Alpine, which is doing something remarkable with material innovation. Click here to read the Tribune’s take on this intriguing brand.
- Ski movies will have a much different vibe this year since we’ll have to watch virtually rather than crowding into a theater and sharing the stoke with our fellow skiers and boarders. I’ll have more on the pivot that ski movie producers are making this season, but in the meantime, here’s the latest on this year’s Warren Miller flick, “Future Retro.”
- In other movie news, I can’t wait to watch “North Country,” the new film from Teton Gravity Research TV that tells the story of the oldest ski shop in the U.S., Lahout’s. Click here for more about the movie and how to watch.
- For this week’s must-read, check out the latest “Ode” in SKI Magazine, “Gizmo Nation.” This is Kimberly Beekman’s hilarious account of all the weird and wacky ski products she was sent during her time writing about the sport. I’m a little surprised the Cold Pole didn’t last.
Emptying the notebook
Not much left in the notebook this week, but I did want to send a huge shoutout to TGR founder Todd Jones for sharing the Snowsports Business Report article about his company’s aforementioned news on his Facebook page yesterday (h/t to Eric “Hende” Henderson of Meteorite PR for sending that breaking news my way.)
What we’re keeping an eye on
There’s snow in the forecast for the West, so we’re keeping an eye on the weather reports.
In the meantime, look for more snowsports business coverage throughout the week on our website, and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Cheers, everyone. Think snow.
The Week in Snowsports Business is compiled each week by Snowsports Business Report founder Eric Smith. Have a suggestion for the next edition? Drop me a note at eric@snowsportsbiz.com.
