SIA 2015; The Snow Show is The Bro Show

Every year, during the last weekend in January, the entire ski and snowboard industry shows up in Denver for the SIA SNOW SHOW.   SIA...the Snowsports Industries of America, hosts the biggest and rowdiest trade show in the U.S. snowsports industry.  It's the one place where all the bro's get together to make deals, reunite and party their a$$es off.

Click 4 Pix:  SIA 2015

It's more than just a convention...it's a life-style.   And it's BIG fun.  

All the best and newest ski and snowboard brands show off next years goods. The retailers see it, feel it and order it up to solidify their line-ups for the 2015-16 ski season.  

A few observations from the show:

1) Business is good.   The economy is back and retailers are planning as such.  Order flow appears to be very strong for 2015-16.

2) Not much has changed.   Sure the colors are different and there are always some new design elements with the hard goods, but the ski and snowboard industry seems a little stagnant.  But this is old news.

3) Bro's like to party.   The party scene at SIA 2015 was as strong as ever.  Maybe stronger.

4) Musical chairs continue.   It's the same people doing the same things... they are just doing it with a different brands this year.  Once you are established in the ski industry it tough to get out.  It's the Hotel California of career paths.

5) Climate Change is on everyone's mind.  The ski industry is finally coming around to the fact that climate change may have an irreparable impact on future business. Non-profits such as Protect Our Winters (POW) and Save Our Snow (SOS) were prominent with their outreach efforts throughout the convention.

6) The baby boomers are aging out and the millenials seem to be more interested in video gaming and social media than skiing and snowboarding.  This does not bode well for future growth.   Resorts and brands are begining to plan accordingly.

7) Denver has soooooo many recreational cannabis shops...it's unbelievable. 

CLICK FOR PIX   SIA 2015

Oakley Media Bash / X Games Aspen 2015

CLICK 4 SICK PIX   OAKLEY MEDIA BASH

X Games Aspen: Party Down in A-Town

There are an unbelievable number of parties and special events for X Games Aspen. It's impossible to do them all...but Aspen is a Party Town and I am Andy Party. I tried.

I scored enough wrist bands to choke a dinosaur but still, I could not do it all.  I attended all the parties that I was actually invited to and I crashed the ones that I wasn't.  I tried to use everything to my advantage, including years of experience at X Games.   First of all... I'm old enough to be the father of the entire " X Games demographic".  Second of all,  I know where all Aspen's back doors are and I'm friendly with most of the security guards and bouncers.   All this came to a head during the perfect storm that is X Games weekend.  I discovered a new trick this year... it's all about progression and style.   Several times I was stopped at the door, my wrist inspected and my lack of proper credentials exposed...even before they could shoo me away...I smoothly shouted "my kid just won the Gold Medal"...it worked every time.

So here's my party town photo essay from X Games Aspen 2014.

OAKLEY PENTHOUSE PARTY

ESPN PRESS CONFERENCE

FREESKIER / RED BULL PARTY at SKY

SAVOY on AJAX / ISVERA FASHION SHOW at BOOTSY BELLOWS

I-RECREATE HOUSE ( yeah, it's legal)

MONSTER PARTY at the SUNDECK

TIESTO w/ Axwell in WAGNER PARK

Oakley hosted athletes and media at a private penthouse. click for pix.ESPN's press conference at Buttermilk. X Games renewed for 5 more years in Aspen. Click 4 pix.It's a fact. Senders get chicks, especially at the Freeskier / Red Bull Party. Click 4 pix.I-Recreate. A private home, off campus featuring all the recreational weed you could handle. Click 4 pix.Savoy, a free EDM show at the base of Aspen Mountain. Click 4 pix.Monster hosted their annual bash at the Sundeck atop Aspen Mountain. Sh*t got crazy. Click 4 pix.Tiesto performed his EDM magic in Wagner Park. No one OD'd. Click for pix.

The Party Train

When Aspen is rolling there is no other party train like it.  The pedestrian mall is in close proximity to over 100 drinking establishments. During X Games there are several additional sponsor-related venues.  You can get your swagga on and still walk or take the bus anywhere.  The dirty little secret is printed on t-shirts; Aspen, a drinking town with a skiing problem.  Luckily there was no fresh POW...so AspenSpin was able to turn it on one more time.  We went non-alcholic and non-energy drink all weekend in an effort to keep up with the pace.  We had some good times and snapped some great pix.   Click the links to see the photos.

OAKLEY MEDIA BASH (+1) 

MARLEY SAFE HOUSE   

               BIG BOI 

BACKBONE MEDIA LOUNGE