The City of Angels doesn’t often get snow, but that doesn’t mean that residents can’t take in their fill of snow sport related sporting goods. Ski Dazzle, which will run from November 15-18, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, will feature more than 200 exhibit booths showcasing ski and snowboard related products. Given that last year’s ski resort season was a bit of a bust, resorts and the industry as a whole are hoping for a White Christmas and a blow out season. We’ll be sure to report on the latest happenings from Los Angeles’ big snow sport related event.
This is just one of several upcoming “snow shows” – here are some others not to miss:
- Boston Globe Ski and Snowboard EXPO, Boston, MA, November 8 – 11
- Sacramento Ski and Snowboard EXPO, Sacramento, CA, November 10 – 11
- Los Angeles Ski Dazzle, Los Angeles, CA, November 15-18
- Silicon Valley Ski & Snowboard Festival, Santa Clara, CA, November 17 – 18
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month Vonzipper rolled out its new Beefy Astro Chrome and Chakra Bonze Pink Chrome snow goggles to benefit B4BC (Boarding For Breast Cancer). The goal of the group is to increase awareness about breast cancer, highlight the importance of early detection and the value of an active lifestyle. A portion of the sales of the goggles – which each retail $90 – go to B4BC. Get them before it is too late.
Sylvester Stallone may have played Rocky Balboa but the Rocky S2V Provision ($600 MSPR) is a coat that his other signature character would likely wanted to have while evading authorities. This coat can shedding moisture during cold, snowy weather while keeping heat locked in – which no doubt John Rambo would have appreciated – but we think he’d have really liked the integrated survival kit that is included that will have wearer’s ready for just about anything. 
While there is no shortage of wearable action cameras the folks at Zeal Optics have another idea – namely putting the action camera in the goggles rather than on the helmet. The company introduced goggle-cameras last season and for the 2012-13 ski season – which we hear could more than make up for the bust that was last year – wearers can record in full HD.
Last month we noted in our Friday Made in America profile that RAMP Sports was looking to ramp up production of its various skis and other products by moving back to America. Now Mike Kilchenstein, CEO and founder of RAMP Sports, a 32 year industry veteran tells us why they made that decision. 
Just because winter is a time to bundle up with extra layers, doesn’t mean all of us are hibernating. Many of us get out and burn calories on the slopes, ice and take part in other outdoor adventures. SIA, the SnowSports Industries America organization, released its 2012 SIA Snow Sports Participation Report. The top finding shows that 6.9 percent of Americans participate in snow sports, and burn 332 million calories while they do it. 
RAMP Sports is a boutique ski manufacturer that is based in Park City, Utah and it is looking to change the way the skis are made. The company recently opened its 10,000square foot facility and bringing their ski production back to the United States from Taiwan. To do so they have looked to utilize new technology that includes the vacuum form molding process that is commonly used in the aeronautics industry to develop composite helicopter rotor blades.
Winter is finally over – in fact it never arrived for much of the country – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t too early to think about next year. Actually it is Neva too early, as in Anthony Griesel’s Neva microprocessor-equipped ski poles that will bring “smart” technology to skiing and back wood snowshoeing and hiking.
While probably not much of a problem this season, in years with deep snow or when regions get lots of natural snow, some skiers might find themselves trying to find lost skis. This no doubt cuts down on the fun. It seems like a small problem, but enough that Ski Retriever has come to the rescue with a homing system.
While there has been an increased focus on the protection that helmets can provide to the wearer, engineers at the Frauenhofer Institute are also considering how a helmet can also help provide some power for personal electronics. The team has developed a flexible solar panel that is durable enough to be mounted on helmets, and can optimize Bluetooth in the process.
This season it seems that hybrid skis/snowboards are all the rage. We’ve seen some 
Normally winter in the backcountry means deep snow – but this year it can mean patches of dirt, grass and rocks. That not only can ruin a day on the skis, but in many cases it can also ruin the skis. Fortunately Marquette Backcountry Skis, which is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has created a hybrid pair of skis that are a little bit cross-country, a little bit downhill and even a bit of snowshoe.
This winter has been for many parts of the United States the year without much snow. Even when it has snowed the white stuff hasn’t been on the ground for long. This has been good for local communities as it means less money has been spent clearing the roads, and ski resorts are surviving (if not exactly thriving) as they can make manmade snow.