Next Year's Model / SIA 2011
The entire Snow Sports world was in Colorado last week. The SnowSports Industries America (SIA) held their SNOW SHOW, the annual trade show in Denver, on the exact same dates as the X Games. AspenSpin zipped down the mountain to catch a very quick glimpse of NEXT YEAR's MODEL. The Snow Show is an annual gathering of manufactuers, suppliers, sales reps, resorts and retailers. It's more than a meet and greet, it's where buying decisions for next ski season are made. The latest colors and the newest technology are on display. What's hot for next year---check the pix
SIA was waaaaaay more upbeat than last year. As America coninues to climb out of the recession, the snow sports brands showed off their wares for the future. The transaction action looked pretty serious to this blogger. "Deals are getting done" cited an industry insider. A-Spin did not identify any super-exciting new trends -- "more of the same" claimed one ski-industry vet. "Monkey see, monkey do" quipped another. Bright colors and paterns will remain popular in the clothing lines. Rocker and early rise technology are becoming the norm in everyone's ski quiver. Niche ski brands like High Society, Icelandic and Folsom appear to be growing in popularity and competing with the big boys. 3 buckle ski boots seem to be a popular new extension of the hard goods offerings. Snowboard brands are younger, more upbeat and play much louder music at their booths than the traditional ski manufacturers.
Things look good for 2011/12. See NEXT YEAR's MODEL.