SNEWS

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web A unique ski season: Discover how ski resorts around the country (and the continent) are operating during the pandemic. [SKI] Racial justice in the outdoors: Youth Outside announces its inaugural Liberated Paths Grantees, ...read more

This is part eight of a multi-part series. The next installments will be published in the coming weeks. You can read the entire series here. After gathering and analyzing data to glean insights about the industry's best and most difficult manufacturers, men's and women's apparel, ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web A concerning trend: Avalanche fatalities are increasing among older demographics, and experts have several theories as to why. [Outside] Back on the rock wall: Indoor climbing gyms, closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, are ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Winter ascent: This season, four teams of climbers will attempt a feat never accomplished before—summiting K2 in winter. [Climbing] Rush for drilling rights: Oil companies are stockpiling drilling permits in the waning days ...read more

In this issue of our award-winning magazine, we zero in on some of the major sustainability issues, challenges, and solutions facing the outdoor industry: Does the industry make too much product, and if so, how can we stop? The dirty banks undercutting outdoor companies' ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web New national park: The nation officially has a new national park in West Virginia, thanks to the latest pandemic stimulus package. [Travel + Leisure] Tribute to a great outdoor writer: A remembrance of “one of the great ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web In memoriam: A remembrance of climbers we lost in 2020. [Climbing] Hunting rules loosen in Grand Teton: The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the National Park Service can’t regulate hunting on private ...read more

This is part seven of a multi-part series. The next installments will be published in the coming weeks. You can read the entire series here. So far, our 2020 SNEWS Retailer Survey results have broken down the sales success of camping gear and apparel at independent retailers last ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Looming backcountry issues: As predicted, safety concerns have started mounting as skiers abandon resorts for the backcountry this season. [ABC News] A ski prodigy makes waves: 14-year-old Kai Jones is certain to figure ...read more

We made it: the end of 2020.  The last month of the year was filled with some exciting previews of things to come in 2021. The buzziest development was the announcement by Dick Sporting Goods that the company will open a new chain of outdoor stores called Public Lands late next ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web The North Face x Gucci collab: The two brands have revealed details about their new joint collection, inspired by '70s-era style. [HypeBeast] The future of carbon emissions: After a century of rising atmospheric carbon ...read more

This is part six of a multi-part series. The next installments will be published in the coming weeks. You can read the entire series here. For part six of our SNEWS Retailer Survey results, we're taking a peek at 2020 sales of women's apparel, as reported by dozens of retailers ...read more

It's almost here. The next issue of The Voice is currently being printed, and copies will start hitting mailboxes early next month. To get your hands on a copy, you must subscribe by December 30. Any subscription payments that come in after the 30th will be rolled over and ...read more

As Pocket Outdoor Media grows, adapts, and improves, our mission will always remain the same: To inspire people to do the activities they love—hiking, skiing, climbing, running, swimming, cycling, cooking, and yoga—with greater enjoyment and knowledge. We believe that a hike, a ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Specialized sued: A former employee of the bicycle company is suing the brand for wrongful termination and alleging sexual harassment. [BRAIN] Selling skis responsibly: This boutique ski brand in Oregon has a paradoxical ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web More consolidation in the hook and bullet world: Parent company of Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops, Great American Outdoors Group will acquire Sportsmans Warehouse (which represents 112 storefronts) for $18 million in cash per ...read more

It's been a challenging year, but as it draws to a close, we sincerely hope you have the chance to enjoy some quality time with family and friends. You deserve it. The SNEWS team will be operating on a limited schedule this week, logging some much-needed R&R and gearing up for ...read more

Whatever your winter activity of choice, your base layer is crucial. Whether you prefer wool, synthetic, or a mixture of both, there are plenty of companies across the industry making great options, and we want to know your favorite. Vote below to see what the rest of the ...read more

Tragedy: Writer and adventurer Roy Wollack died in a mountain biking accident last weekend. [LA Times] 13 Helly Hansen stores across the country are hosting jacket drives to support local organizations supporting homeless, at-risk youth, and disabled populations. Stores are ...read more

This is part five of a multi-part series. The next installments will be published in the coming weeks. You can read the entire series here. Last week, we looked at sales of camping brands at independent retailers in 2020. This week, we're veering into softgoods with a quick ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web The return of travel: An examination of how the vaccine rollout will affect travel in the months to come. [Outside Online] Outdoor gear is harming Everest: “Forever chemicals” from outdoor equipment have been detected in ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web The future of skiing: A glimpse into the possible tech-assisted future of skiing, where every turn is tracked and analyzed. [Outside Online] Recall alert: Goal Zero has recalled about 4,500 units of its Yeti 25A Fast Charge ...read more

This is part four of a multi-part series. The next installments will be published in the coming weeks. You can read the entire series here. We've reached the point in our analysis of the 2020 Retailer Survey results when we start digging into individual product categories to ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Outdoor startup competition: If you run a new outdoor company, apply to Win Moosejaw’s accelerator competition. [Gear Junkie] REI closes NY store: REI has announced it will close its only location in the Hudson Valley next ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web The North Face rejects order from oil company: The brand has refused to fill a large jacket order from a Texas oil and gas company, citing environmental principles. [19 News] Recall alert: Burley has recalled about 780 ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Everest just got taller: Researchers have used new data to update the official height of the world’s tallest mountain. The peak is now 34 inches higher than it used to be. [Adventure Journal] Next year’s bike shows: Bicycle ...read more

Here at SNEWS, we love waking at the crack of dawn, downing a cup of coffee or two, and piling into the car to head out for a day on the slopes. This morning ritual is a deeply personal process. Everyone seems to have their own little tricks and methods for getting up, getting ...read more

This is part three of a multi-part series. The next installments will be published in the coming weeks. You can read the entire series here. Last week, we published our findings on the best manufacturers to do business with, according to more than 100 independent retailers across ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Forrest Fenn treasure update: The identity of the man who found Forrest Fenn’s iconic hidden treasure has been revealed. [Outside Online] The pandemic nature craze isn’t over: The CEO of L.L.Bean discusses why the rise in ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Amazon and YETI sue counterfeiters: The companies have teamed up to bring a lawsuit against two San Diego residents who allegedly ran a scheme selling counterfeit YETI products on Amazon. Gear shop raises $300K for charity: ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Patagonia’s eye-catching new ad: One of the industry’s most daring and outspoken brands has taken out a full-page ad in The New York Times that’s sure to make people pause. [Fast Company] How to get a job in the outdoor ...read more

It was another busy month for the industry.  We can't deny it—some of the biggest news in November was quite tragic. We lost a beloved member of our community, Jim Ramey, and saw one of our favorite gear shops, Townsend Bertram & Company, say goodbye after 32 years in the ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Lindsey Vonn’s new show: The retired skiing icon is now hosting a reality TV show on Amazon called “The Pack,” about the bond between humans and dogs. [Outside Online] Bike recall: Santa Cruz Bicycles has recalled some of ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web REI’s newest location: The retailer plans to open its first store in central Pennsylvania next year. [Penn Live] Oxygen levels on Everest: How global warming is altering air composition on the world’s highest peak. ...read more

We're helmet fans here at SNEWS. Skiing or snowboarding without something to protect your noggin is a risk no one should take, especially when the industry puts out so many awesome models to choose from. There are a lot of different helmet types and features out there—in-mold, ...read more

This is part two of a multi-part series. The next installments will be published in the coming weeks. You can read part one, about annual sales volume, here.  Parts two and three of our 2020 SNEWS Retailer Survey are all about manufacturers—the best and most difficult of the ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Plan for a different kind of ski season: What will the winter season look like for skiers and snowboarders? Here are some of the changes to expect. [The New York Times] Skiing returns to its roots: In another take on the ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web New leadership at Patagonia: The company has hired Beth Thoren as its new environmental action and initiatives director. A mountaineering icon on film: Selena Gomez has signed on to play the mountaineering legend Silvia ...read more

It's going to be a chaotic year for holiday shopping, that's for sure. Local stores are doing their best to keep customers safe, as they have been for months, but it looks like Amazon will be poised to capitalize (once again) on a difficult situation. Read more: The outdoor ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web KIND acquired: Mars, the maker of Snickers, has announced plans to buy Kind North America, the company responsible for Kind Bars. [The New York Times] Back from the brink of death: A hiker rescued from Mount Rainier this ...read more

This is part one of a multi-part series. The next installments will be published in the coming weeks. It's been a long time coming, but the SNEWS Retailer Survey is finally back. A few years have passed since our last iteration of this series, and in that time, the industry has ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web The North Face hacked: A cyberattack on The North Face has exposed customers’ names, addresses, birth dates, and phone numbers to hackers. [IT World Canada] Sun Valley snags major award: SKI magazine has named Sun Valley ...read more

We're saddened to announce the passing of a dear friend and colleague last week: Jim Ramey, a longtime independent sales rep and the owner of Adventure Sales in Kent, Washington. Jim held many jobs in the outdoor industry over the course of his long career, from assistant store ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web An error in the press: News outlets around the world misreported Emily Harrington's El Cap record last week, incorrectly stating that she was the first woman to free climb the iconic big wall in less than 24 hours. In ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Choosing a leader for the NPS: Three candidates are currently on Biden’s short list to lead the National Park Service. [E&E News] YETI’s performance surges: The brand reported a 62 percent boost in direct-to-consumer ...read more

Sponsored content is everywhere these days. It has, in many ways, become an inescapable piece of the media and advertising landscape. Some of it is wonderful. At SNEWS, we do a fair bit of it ourselves, from our First Look videos to ongoing partnerships with brands like ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web What comes next for the industry: A look at what a Biden presidency will mean for the outdoor space. [Forbes] New climbing record: Emily Harrington has become the first woman to free climb Golden Gate on El Capitan in under ...read more