SNEWS

Trying to predict how the coronavirus will affect companies—whether small or large—has proven to be a difficult, if not impossible, endeavor. Just this week, REI confirmed that it will lay off 400 retail employees, even as sales of camping equipment and other outdoor goods surge. ...read more

What’s in a name: Racist climbing route names, tone-deaf brand terminology, and other instances of offensive language across the outdoor space are being examined anew. [The Colorado Sun] Speaking of language: It’s time to rethink how we talk about skiing, and the subtle ways our ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Building anti-racism in the outdoors: Transforming the industry will require immediate, deliberate, and sustained action. [Outside Online] MEC in trouble: The Canadian retailer announced more layoffs as a direct result of ...read more

James Edward Mills has written for years about issues of diversity and inclusion in the outdoor space, most notably in his book The Adventure Gap, published in 2014. He has contributed to SNEWS many times—about the best way to approach DEI efforts in the industry, how to set the ...read more

Appalachian Trail pipeline cancelled: Construction of a highly controversial natural gas pipeline that would have crossed the Appalachian Trail at multiple points was cancelled due to possible litigation costs. [BACKPACKER] Yosemite’s new cultural outreach ranger: 33-year NPS ...read more

The system for naming climbing routes is about as unofficial as it could possibly be. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the first person to climb a new route simply makes up a moniker, starts using it, and eventually it catches on. There is no vetting process, no checks and ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Rock and Ice publisher steps down: A shocking admission by the publication’s leader precipitated the resignation. Anti-environmentalist heads Bureau of Land Management: William Perry Pendley, a noted climate denier, was ...read more

Color the Crag, a climbing festival for communities of color hosted at Horse Pens 40 in Alabama, isn't the most storied or historic event on the industry's climbing calendar—it was founded just three years ago, in 2017—but it's unquestionably one of the most unique and ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Grants for marginalized communities: In Solidarity Project, the organization that oversees the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge, has announced a grant program to support underrepresented and underserved people in the outdoors. ...read more

Today is a very special day for us here at SNEWS. Our print publication, The Voice, heads to the presses this evening despite major pandemic-related disruptions to the production process. We're very proud of everyone on the team for getting the issue across the finish line ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Rose Marcario on the Facebook boycott: The former Patagonia CEO gives her thoughts on the outdoor industry’s refusal to accept Facebook’s moral lapses. [Fast Company] Will MEC survive the coronavirus? The pandemic might ...read more

National parks and racism: How managers of public lands can help our country’s shared treasures be more inclusive for all. [National Geographic] Diversity in cycling: These organizations are fighting to broaden representation in the sport and make it more accessible for everyone. ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web $2 billion for sustainability: Amazon has announced the creation of a new Climate Pledge Fund to invest in sustainable technologies and work toward the ecommerce giant's goal of carbon neutrality by 2040. [TechCrunch] Rue ...read more

REI loses a store to the pandemic: The brand’s Westminster, Colorado, location is closing as a direct result of coronavirus-related difficulties. [BusinessDen] Out of the wild: The mythical “magic bus” featured in the book and film Into the Wild has been airlifted out of the ...read more

To honor the 155th celebration of Juneteenth, we wanted to take a moment to honor some of the amazing people working to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within our industry. As recent events have taught us, we have a long way to go before the industry—and society at ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web DEI-focused merit badge: The Boy Scouts of America announced that a newly created Diversity Merit Badge will be required to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. [The New York Times] Black Folks Camp Too: A new startup is on a ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web A pipeline through the Appalachian Trail: The Supreme Court has reached a decision that will allow a natural gas pipeline to run below part of the Appalachian Trail. [Adventure Journal] Just Add Water Project: A new ...read more

"Anything. Everything. Something." In a recent SNEWS survey circulated around the outdoor industry, that was one participant's answer to the question, "What more would you like to see your company do in response to racial injustice?" It wasn't an isolated plea. Dozens of ...read more

Trek pledges action: To promote racial equity in the industry, the cycling company has promised to create 1,000 new jobs for people of color, build bike shops in underserved neighborhoods, establish a seven-figure community investment fund, and more. [Bicycle Retailer] National ...read more

News of outdoor companies pivoting to make PPE seems to be everywhere these days, but it's not often you get to peek behind the curtain to see how they do it. Mystery Ranch, the Montana-based backpack maker, has captured its process in this fast-paced video about a community of ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Thin Air postponed: The virtual trade show has been pushed to mid-September. The organizers say the change is meant “to ensure we do not take focus away from long overdue conversations" about racism. Camber releases ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Vail CEO gives back: The chief executive of Vail Resorts, Rob Katz, has pledged an $11.7 million donation to support coronavirus relief efforts, racial justice reform, and other causes crucial to the moment. U.S. Ski and ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web What you can do right now: This list of resources can help outdoor industry professionals educate themselves about Black Lives Matter and become better allies to those fighting for justice and inclusion. [The Trek] ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Words aren’t enough: Social media posts are a start, but we need far more than lip service to address structural racism in America. [Backpacker] Fund BIPOC nonprofits: Kula Cloth has announced a collaboration with artist ...read more

In recent days, dozens of companies across the industry have responded to the murder of George Floyd on May 25 with statements condemning racial injustice. In support of Black Lives Matter and the protests currently sweeping the nation, calls have been made for reforms both ...read more

PARK CITY, UTAH (June 2, 2020) - Active Interest Media (AIM) and U.S. Ski & Snowboard today announced that NASTAR operations will transfer back to the program’s owner, AIM. AIM and U.S. Ski & Snowboard remain partners in the marketing, promotion, and growth of the 52-year-old ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Words require action: A wonderful reminder to the outdoor industry that, when it comes to supporting BIPOC members of your community, hashtags and black squares on Instagram are not enough. [Medium] Save the travel photo ...read more

As outdoor leaders begin to speak out against racial injustice in the United States—once again brought to light by the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis—SNEWS is collecting their statements in one place. Our list currently includes the following voices: Access Fund, American ...read more

The meaning of anti-racism: This article, recently shared by Camber Outdoors, is a good primer on why being "not racist" isn't enough. [Mashable] Racism and public space: It’s time to contend with the reality that individuals of color have a markedly different experience of parks ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Updating Everest’s height: A team of researchers has summited the mountain to remeasure the peak’s height. A longstanding number could soon change. [Outside Online] The Boston Marathon is canceled: For first time in ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Update on Malcolm Daly: Our colleague is still doing well and making progress. Thanks to the generosity of his therapists, he will receive another 30 days of care before being discharged. Also, today is his birthday! Show ...read more

Thanks to the coronavirus crisis, sales of dehydrated meal have shot through the roof in recent months. A sizable number of non-backpackers have probably been introduced to them for the first time, but for those of us who hike, dehydrated food is a familiar culinary option on the ...read more

An olive branch to Outdoor Retailer: An editorial from the Salt Lake City Tribune makes a case for the return of the industry’s largest trade show to Utah. [The Salt Lake City Tribune] A Colorado ski resort to reopen: Arapahoe Basin will resume limited operations for spring ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Stay safe this weekend: If you’re headed outside for Memorial Day weekend, follow this advice released by Outdoor Industry Association, REI, and other industry leaders as part of a new campaign, Recreate Responsibly. Who’s ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Saw that coming: Yellowstone reopened on Monday and visitors poured in by the thousands. Virus precaution was, shall we say, a little lacking. [The Guardian] Malcolm Daly is recovering smoothly: Our esteemed colleague is in ...read more

Outdoor industry webinars have cropped up swiftly and relentlessly in the last few months. Since the pandemic began, it seems like every week there's a new online event (or five) covering all manner of coronavirus-related concerns, from applying for small business loans to ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web The long-term fight against climate change: With so much the attention being paid to the immediate effects of the pandemic, these outdoor athletes want us to remember that climate is still a looming threat. [Forbes] ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Ski resorts hold out hope: Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin and Breckenridge resorts refuse to give up on the idea that late-spring skiing might be possible. [The Denver Post] A massive coalition of climate advocates: The Outdoor ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Patagonia exercises caution: The brand was one of the first to close its stores. After losing half its North American sales, leadership is considering an extremely cautious approach to reopening. [The New York Times] REI ...read more

As retailers start to reopen in select states, everyone seems to be grappling with the same question: How much caution is necessary to keep people safe? The issue of whether to require masks has already generated debate, but that's not where safety measures end. Many store ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Outdoor companies speak up: Patagonia, L.L. Bean, The North Face, and others publicly joined OIA in calling for the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. [The Hill] Support the effort yourself: Sign this letter from ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Ski resorts open: Some Oregon ski areas are gearing up to reopen. [Oregon Public Broadcasting] Shoe launch during the pandemic: Why did On Running launch a new product during the coronavirus crisis? [Fast Company] Q&A with ...read more

Five years ago, this question may have sounded crazy. But with the fast pace of cannabis legalization across the country, and with retailers adding coffee and microbrews to their shops, the idea of an in-store dispensary may not be so far-fetched. This question popped into our ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Patagonia and Columbia take on Trump: The two brands have teamed up to support a lawsuit challenging the White House’s assault on environmental protection. [Outside Online] Dakine makes hard choices: The brand is closing ...read more

With summer backpacking season fast approaching, a classic hikers' debate has stirred once again: What do you do about toilet paper on the trail? This year, the question is a little more topical than usual; TP has never enjoyed a moment in the spotlight quite like this. Still, ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Malcolm Daly scores a private plane to rehab: Our colleague made his way to rehab in Omaha via private plane thanks to the love and support of friends. Inside Cotopaxi’s founding: The popular NPR podcast “How I Built This” ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Quantifying the pandemic: A new survey from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable paints a bleak portrait in hard numbers for the outdoor industry. [Footwear News] A disturbing update on plastic: A new study has found that ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Layoffs and furloughs at Orvis: The Vermont-based company is the latest to join a string of outdoor businesses that have been forced to reduce staff and weekly worker pay. [Bennington Banner] American Alpine Club furloughs: ...read more