Last week at SIA Snowsports Show we saw lots of products for activity, but also a few post-workout goods that are worth mentioning. LodgeSoxx is a pair of socks designated for wearing around the lodge or other areas you want to take off your ski boots, but you don’t want to walk around in just your socks.
It snowed at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver during the SIA Snowshow.
Last week KineticShift headed to SIA, the Snowsports Industries America Snowshow, to check out winter sports gear coming out this year. Here are some of the highlights from the show. Click on the images for a larger view and more detail.
Over the years we’ve encountered many people who won’t wear helmets for cycling because they think they look cooler with their hair blowing in the wind – at least until a crash. Today many cyclists see a helmet as part of the style of riding. On the slopes, where fashion remains part of the sport, many skiers simply avoid the helmets because they won’t sacrifice style for safety.
But now Helmet Band-Its could be the answer, as the company offers an easy way to accessorize helmets, offering style whilst retaining the protection.
The patent-pending Helmet Band-Its, which are being shown at this week’s Snowsports Industry America’s trade show in Denver, are just as the name implies, fashionable bands that can be worn over and around a ski helmet. These are made of European faux and premium furs (sorry PETA), as well as high-quality cotton and even novelty materials for more whimsical designs. It allows skiers to look chic while skiing it safe!
Quicksilver, a brand known among surfers, watermen, skateboarders and snowboarders, is prepping its fall 2012 line for a newly launched mountain division. The line will be on show at Outdoor Retailer and SIA this month.
The fall line includes 16 pieces including insulator jackets, down parkas, fleeces, bombers, windbreakers and shells that range in price fom $80 to $250. In an early look Quicksilver revealed a photo of its Ghost Tree jacket, shown in orange.
The Surefoot RX130 custom ski boot lists for $995.
Ever wonder why you can’t seem to ski properly when you’re on the slopes, that you can’t turn as tight or feel in control at all times? The answer may lie in the boots you’re wearing, according to Forbes contributor Larry Olmsted in an extensive piece he’s written on the subject of custom boots. Olmsted says that of all the ski equipment, the boots are what make the experience, not even the skis themselves. (We theorize ill-fitting boots could be a reason why beginner skiers have a hard time learning, too, but no boot will instantly make you a master skier.)
The reasons for buying a custom boot? Olmsted cites three advantages: improved skiing for more control and betters turns; more comfort for more runs, less soreness, and less fatigue; and warmth for better blood circulation. Despite his championing custom ski boots, he acknowledges the high price of $1,014 to $1,214 for a pair. But for avid skiers looking to conquer the mountain, a custom boot might be the weapon you need. Hit the link to read further about how custom boots are made and the benefits they offer.
Looking to get a grip? The ChukGrips might just be the answer. These are multi-positional, ergonomically correct pole handles that can be used for hiking, walking, cross-country skiing and even mountain climbing. These provide a good position of the hand and wrist in relation to the poling stroke, and is ideal as well for those with large or otherwise bulky gloves, making these good for use in snow sports and for trekking through deep snow.
The grips can be attached to existing poles without too much effort, or are available as a complete package. Either way these are good for those looking to get a different kind of grip for their poles.
ChukGrip Official Website
[Via Snow Shoe Magazine: ChukGrips Transform Everyday Trekking Poles into Essential Snowshoeing Equipment]
Stretching over 753,473 square feet, Skipark360 will be the world’s largest indoor ski resort doubling the size of today’s current indoor ski champ, Holland’s SnowWorld Landgraaf. The new resort, which will be situated 45 minutes from Stockholm, Sweden, also hopes to be the world’s only indoor ski resort to house a 2,297-foot long slope with a 525-foot drop — large enough to officially host alpine World Cup events. Designed by CF Moller Architects, this winter wonderland will also feature a 2.2-mile cross country ski tunnel, 20,000 square-foot biathlon arena, ice hockey arena, figure skating arena, and a snowboarding area. And that’s just part of this massive facility.
Video after the jump Read the rest of this entry »
ast week FoxNews.com noted that the researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Labs have been testing the current issue helmet, the MICH, which is used by the U.S. military. It was noted that just a quarter-inch, or even an eighth of an inch of additional padding would helmet greatly reduce the force to the skull when there is an impact to the helmet. The findings suggest this could be as great as a 24-percent reduction.
The researchers also looked to the helmets used by professional football players, as concussions are a big concern amongst the players. It was noted that a thicker foam system is used by the NFL players’ helmets than the spongier pads used in combat helmets, and that the NFL’s helmet padding worked better. Read the rest of this entry »
Trimble released new versions of its AllSport GPS app for the Android Market. This includes AllSport GPS Pro ($3.99) and AllSport GPS (free). The programs collect more than 20 fitness stats and calculate calories burned to help people reach their fitness goals. AllSport GPS apps track 14 outdoor fitness activities including running, cycling, skiing and walking. The apps also let you access real-time weather forecasts, chart workouts over time, and view street and park maps.
We’ve been hearing about a variety of new technologies that are meant to help athlete better survive crashes, and the latest is a wearable airbag from Dainese that has the approval of the International Ski Federation (FIS). This project is now in the early stages of testing, and it is based on similar technology that has been designed for motorcycle racing.
The system essentially combines an inflatable bag with multiple accelerometers, gyroscopes and GPS technology with 2GB of internal memory. It is deployed automatically in just 45 milliseconds when crash conditions are detected – and that according to reports is the key to the system. It needs to be able to tell the difference between a normal ski run and a potentially injury-inducing fall. Any sort of spill on the slopes could result in a land that is as soft as powdery snow.
A new waste-to-energy plant on the outskirts of Copenhagen will double as a recreational ski area. Design firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) won the design competition for client Amagerforbraending to create a waste-to-energy treatment plant on the crossroads between a residential neighborhood and an industrial zone. Another criteria for the building is to serve as a recreational area.
In case you didn’t get the memo – we obviously were late to the game – this week is National Safety Awareness Week (January 15 – 23) on the ski slopes around the country. This includes knowing and following the code:
Skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross country and other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by disabled or other skiers. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.
Be safety conscious and
KNOW THE CODE. IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. Read the rest of this entry »
This year Blue Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania became the first of its kind in the region to use radio frequency identification (RFID) cards as an alternative to traditional lift tickets. Instead of the traditional paper lift ticket that can dangle from your parka, the Blue Passport card slips in your pocket, and you simply walk through a turnstile, rather than needing to be scanned by an attendant.
Users are advised not to keep old tickets with new ones, not to put cell phones in the same pocket and to be sure to remove season passes (as well as any pass for that matter) prior to washing or drying the parka. Other than that, you can buy the ticket once and even recharge it for another day online, which can even save users a few bucks. The creators were so excited about this technology, they even made a video for it!
