Ski your face off...or don't.: 2012 Tradeshow Wrap Up

Every year the ski industry gathers in Denver, CO for the Snowsports Industry of America (SIA) trade show. It’s the biggest winter tradeshow in North America dedicated to ski and snowboard gear. Ski shop employees, sponsored athletes, media types, bloggers, product reps, manufacturers, and magazine publishers make up the bulk of the attendees.

The show is always the last week of January, which is right in the middle of the current winter season. Yet, somehow, we need to switch gears and focus on gear for the upcoming 2012-13 season. It’s a tricky mix as we don’t fully even know what the best sellers are for this season, much less next season.

We loaded up the Subaru Outback early Friday morning for the 13+ hour drive to Denver. Fueled by red bull, mountain dew, and gas station corn dogs, we arrive at our hotel late. We knew Saturday was going to be super busy and we were drained.

Saturday and Sunday were spent running from appointment to appointment all over the giant convention center. We talk about skis, grab catalogs, and take photos. Our backpacks get heavier with each appointment. Thankfully at the end of each day, beers are cracked and its time to relax. We get to talk with friends about skiing, and not just skis.

It’s after SIA, that the real fun begins. On Sunday afternoon all of the vendors tear down their booths and displays and pack it up to Winter Park ski resort for two days of on snow testing. This is the single most important part of the trip. Everything looks good on paper, but does it translate to the mountain. We are about to find out.

The snow looks grim as we pull into Winter Park. WP is known for two things: groomers and moguls. While both can be fun, neither are ideal for our testing purposes. The next two days yield no new snow and very little sun. But we make the best of it, laying out the biggest turns we can on the biggest skis we can find. WP keeps us fed with breakfast burritos, brats, and Coors Light (we are in Colorado after all). No complaints from this crowd.

The drive back to Missoula is spent looking over catalogs and making notes. We have some big decisions to make for the ski wall next season. We also have to make those decisions in March, so the manufacturers can set their production levels. Boring stuff, I know.

Some highlights:

Moment added a 187cm length to both the Belafonte and Jaguar Shark.

Moment introduced the Death Wish, a wide ski with multiple cambers.

Liberty introduced the Variant, a charging, big mountain ski.

4FRNT introduced the Hoji, a more versatile version of the Renegade.

4FRNT introduced the Cody, a lightweight backcountry ski with rocker.

4FRNT introduced an adjustable backcountry ski pole and climbing skins with silicone instead of glue.

Tyrolia introduced the Adrenalin, an alpine touring binding.

Line added a 192cm length to the Opus and Influence 115.

MFD introduced a touring plate that is compatible with Marker bindings.

Mammut introduced a whole line of avalanche airbag packs.

Some low lights:

Moment discontinued the Comi and Donner Party.

4FRNT discontinued the EHP.

Marker increased the price of the Jester Pro.

Final impressions. If you continue to shy away from a “wide” pair of skis because you think they can’t carve, get over it. Big skis have as much sidecut as skinny skis, and they rip! We were able to ski every ski from Moment, 4FRNT, Line, Liberty, and Faction that was on our radar. We can safely say that we have skied every ski that will make it into the shop next fall. I don’t think most ski shops can say that.

We will also renew our dedication to the backountry with some lighter skis and more touring bindings next season.

We always come away from the show with some funny stories (like paying $8 for a Subway $5 footlong), a couple freebies, and 50 lbs of catalogs. We love attending SIA, skiing new gear and seeing familiar faces. Can’t wait to do it again next year.

Stay tuned to our facebook page for more updates, photos, and videos of the new 2012-13 gear. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Backcountry-Freeskier/289613027172)