This has been a brutal winter for some, but for the snowsports industry it was a mixed affair. The long winter was able to get more people on the slopes but yet demand for products was reportedly down. Earlier this month Transworld Business released the first of its Winter 2014/15 Snowboard Product Previews & Trend Reports. It noted that “innovative shapes” could drive the design movement. Among the points touched upon were that camber could be making a comeback, while splitboards could continue to see growth.
It could be a whole new game next season – but for now, we’re just happy winter is finally winding down.
Transworld Business: Innovative Shapes Drive Design Movement
At the recent SIA Snow Show Light Bohrd showed off its lighted snowboard, but now comes word that the company is also introducing a lighted skateboard. This is a bright idea especially for skaters who look to hit the streets after the sun goes down. The Urban Commuter Longboard is made in Texas and will riders to make a statement while being seen.
No there isn’t an app yet (that we know of anyway) for avalanche rescue, but the iProbe isn’t an iPhone accessory. It is actually a sensor-equipped probe and transmitter.. The iProbe ONE from Pieps features a sensor in the tip that can emit an audible signal in the handle when it gets within two meters of a buried transponder. It operates on the EN300718 standard signal for emergencies.
We’ve seen a number of celebrity-inspired products – such as those John Denver Skis – but now Burton Snowboards and Lifebeat are looking to “Push It.” The snowboard maker has partnered with the national non-profit that uses music to raise awareness and funds in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and announced a partnership to release an exclusive line of women’s snowboards for 2014. 
We’ve seen many hydration systems for running and cycling, but Quiksilver now offers a wintertime hydration pack that puts the bladder in the jacket! The new jacket will be ready to hit the slopes – and let skiers and snowboarders have their drink in the jacket – next season.
Burton Snowboards is going Bionic but it won’t cost $6 million. The company has announced that it has partnered with Pharrell Williams and BIONIC yarn to produce an urban line of eco-friendly snowboarding apparel for the 2014 line. These were shown at the recent SIA snowshow in Denver and include the 3L Jacket (above). This jacket fuses three layers of waterproof yet breathable fabric that makes for a jacket that is perfect for the slopes as well as the streets.