SIA 2015; The Snow Show is The Bro Show

Every year, during the last weekend in January, the entire ski and snowboard industry shows up in Denver for the SIA SNOW SHOW.   SIA...the Snowsports Industries of America, hosts the biggest and rowdiest trade show in the U.S. snowsports industry.  It's the one place where all the bro's get together to make deals, reunite and party their a$$es off.

Click 4 Pix:  SIA 2015

It's more than just a convention...it's a life-style.   And it's BIG fun.  

All the best and newest ski and snowboard brands show off next years goods. The retailers see it, feel it and order it up to solidify their line-ups for the 2015-16 ski season.  

A few observations from the show:

1) Business is good.   The economy is back and retailers are planning as such.  Order flow appears to be very strong for 2015-16.

2) Not much has changed.   Sure the colors are different and there are always some new design elements with the hard goods, but the ski and snowboard industry seems a little stagnant.  But this is old news.

3) Bro's like to party.   The party scene at SIA 2015 was as strong as ever.  Maybe stronger.

4) Musical chairs continue.   It's the same people doing the same things... they are just doing it with a different brands this year.  Once you are established in the ski industry it tough to get out.  It's the Hotel California of career paths.

5) Climate Change is on everyone's mind.  The ski industry is finally coming around to the fact that climate change may have an irreparable impact on future business. Non-profits such as Protect Our Winters (POW) and Save Our Snow (SOS) were prominent with their outreach efforts throughout the convention.

6) The baby boomers are aging out and the millenials seem to be more interested in video gaming and social media than skiing and snowboarding.  This does not bode well for future growth.   Resorts and brands are begining to plan accordingly.

7) Denver has soooooo many recreational cannabis shops...it's unbelievable. 

CLICK FOR PIX   SIA 2015