While I doubt I spent even a minute of yesterday pondering my appreciation for Washington’s cherry tree or Lincoln’s walk to return a borrowed book, I did celebrate a day off work with a ski day at Snow Basin (located about 33 miles north of SLC).
Leading up to our day there, I heard mixed reviews about the resort and honestly didn’t know what to expect when we arrived. By the time we were parked and suited up, we were in line for the (heated) gondola by about 10:30 a.m. Once at the top of the mountain, I spent most of the morning warming up with runs like Eas a Long, Bear Hollow, Powder Puff and Little Cat. I am sure by the names alone, you can determine my skill level. 
However, after a delicious (yet, ridiculously over-priced) bowl of chili in the lodge, I was ready to expand myself during the afternoon. I began exploring runs like Needle’s Run, Sweet Revenge and Wildcat Bowl. Again the names tell all. With literally no lines between runs and a fairly long run to begin with, I finished the afternoon feeling like I had skied my $51 worth and then some.
My husband and mom spent most of their time combing through several blacks and seemed pleased with the amount of powder. My brother, however, went exploring and ended up hitch hiking his way back to the resort.
For those of you who think Snowbasin is still a hokey, slow-paced mountain for Odgen locals who ski in their jeans, you will be pleasantly surprised by the extensive, well-groomed runs not to mention the beautifully renovated lodge. With a few more visits I hope to be cruisin’ through Last Chance Loop!
It’s been a busy week for SOAR and Interbike staff. Last weekend, David and Maura attended the Bicycle Leadership Conference (see David’s posts below) and yesterday I went up to the Outdoor Retailer Backcountry Base Camp outdoor demo at the Snowbasin ski resort and walked the exhibit area with Rich Kelly of Interbike fame.
As of a few months ago, Rich’s job has became a lot busier. He now oversees marketing communications for not just Interbike, but also Nielsen’s Outdoor Retailer (OR), Action Sports Retailer (ASR), FlyFishing Retailer and Health+Fitness Business (HFB) trade shows. Rich has been really busy getting ready for last weekend’s BLC, the OR show that started yesterday and the ASR show that starts Thursday. He even had a chance to write a post about his exploits on InterbikeTimes yesterday in Snowbasin lodge.
Similar to Interbike’s OutDoor Demo, the OR Backcountry Base Camp gives retailers a chance to try out upcoming products. There were more than 50 exhibitors there. The majority of the products there were more for backcountry use rather than resort skiing, but Snowbasin was a perfect venue. Retailers could ride the lifts up to try out telemark skis and boots, head up into the hills on snowshoes or cross country skis and even slide down the hill on sleds.
I don’t know how Rich finds the time to blog, but he does. As I‘m writing this the indoor portion of the show is going on and I need to get over there (It’s at the Salt Lake City Convention Center, about 5 miles from my house). One of our other clients, Delta 7 Sports has a couple of its Arantix IsoTruss carbon fiber mountain bikes in the Miōn Footwear booth connected to generators that when pedaled generate electricity for the booth, making Miōn’s booth the first human-powered booth in the history of the OR show.
Stay tuned for more pictures.
Chip
Media now have easier access to suggested retail prices, product images (low and high res) and spec sheets for Scott USA merchandise as a result of a newly launched marketing/press only Web site and portal.
Scott USA marketing team members say they hope the site will help on-deadline media get a logo or product fact quickly without having to rely on a member of the marketing team. (See today’s BRAIN article)
From my perspective, this Web site is yet another example of bike industry leaders showing the importance of using the Internet to better communicate with media and how better business practices can improve the industry’s environmental impact, one company at a time.
A few years ago, the Interbike Expo announced its Green Steps program. The program offsets energy used to operate the show by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (REC), recycling aisle and booth carpeting and increasing electronic communication with exhibitors, attendees and media.
New this year, Interbike provided downloadable press kits of more than 40 participating exhibitors for the media to cut down on the amount paper used in the press room.
My hat goes off to these two companies who know how to work with the media and protect the environment as well!
Trips for Kids (one of SOAR’s pro bono accounts) announced this week that Founding Director, Marilyn Price is a national finalist for the Volvo for Life Award.
The Volvo for Life Award honors “real-life champions who are doing extraordinary work in their communities” Online voting determines the winners in three categories – Safety, Quality of Life, and Environment. The top finalist in each category will win $100,000 for their cause. The two semifinalists will receive $25,000 each for their non-profit organization.
As athlete, teacher, community organizer, mentor, youth advocate and environmentalist, Price is being honored as a candidate in the Quality of Life category.
Her enthusiasm has inspired hundreds of others to join her in taking inner city kids for mountain bike rides. While the flagship program is going strong in the Bay Area, there are now 57 similar Trips for Kids chapters across the country. Over 38,000 low-income youth in the United States and Canada have experienced the joy and challenge of a Trips for Kids mountain bike ride.
From now until January 7, 2008, I encourage you to log online and cast a vote for Marilyn Price.
I’ve been putting off writing something for our blog for a couple of reasons. One, life here at SOAR has been incredibly busy. Our biggest client, Interbike, is having their annual bicycle tradeshow in Las Vegas in 4 days and we have spent the last couple of months ramping up for that. The other reason is, I’m new to blogging, and I wasn’t sure I had anything interesting or significant to post. Now I do.
I’m bummed. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency found Landis guilty of doping (see AP story here). I haven’t ridden regularly in a while, but I’m still an avid fan of cycling and racing. My wife and I cheered loudly at the TV during Stage 17 of the 2006 Tour, only to stare silently again later while learning that Landis was accused of doping.
I’m not even going to pretend to understand the facts surrounding the case and spout my opinion here in this post. I’m just bummed for Landis, racers in general and for recreational cyclists and potential recreational cyclists who might think twice about participating in a tainted activity.
The news about Landis will make for an interesting next few weeks, especially with the industry’s largest trade show, Interbike, and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Championships taking place at the same time. I’m sure everyone will be talking about the verdict and will have an opinion.
Continue Reading »
My husband Cole and I wanted to get outdoors for Labor Day weekend. After looking at a few campsites in Moab and Zions National Park, we decide to expand our search to the Idaho/Wyoming area, in an effort to avoid the crowds. All online searches recommended hiking the Table Top Mountain Trail. Available reviews told us the 8 mile hike was an easy to moderate hike with a view that would make you forget any effort the hike might be.
The trail was fairly easy to follow, even though it was a bit rough. The trailhead started at over 7,000 feet up. It follows the Teton Creek’s North Fork for the first few miles. By the time you summit, you have gone 4,000 feet up and covered about six miles of trail. The top is 11,000 feet.
In addition to the sheer height and distance, the trail is completely covered in loose gravel and rocks-making up and down hill travel difficult. Expect to climb the last 100-200 feet on your hands and knees. There were several times when I thought about giving up but I am glad that I stuck it out.
Table Rock’s summit offers a view of the Grand Teton, which is about a mile away, and towers an additional 2,000 feet. You are basically sitting eye to eye with the Middle and South Tetons.
Overall, an amazing hike and a beautiful view!