Outdoor Retailer Lowdown

posted in: Blog 73
This past week the owners of Skinny Skis as well as a few of our merchandise buyers ventured to Salt Lake City for the annual Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. Our staff worked hard networking with vendors both new and old, testing out new gear, and browsing through countless catalogues to bring the best to Jackson Hole for the Winter ’15/’16 season! Here’s everyones favorites from the show!

Favorite piece?

Phil – Patagonia’s new Backcountry Ski clothing for 2015/16.
Scott – In hard goods it is the new Fischer S Bound skis. The ski allows the user to attach a skin to the wax-less base for additional grip/traction on steep up-hills. The method of attachment is easy to use and very secure.
Jeff – Fischer S-Bound 98 Touring Ski. It’s a great offtrack/backcountry ski, perfect for touring in the parks.
Ron – Dynafit Chugach Ski

Most innovative piece?

Phil – Fischer’s new “skin-tech” technology.
Jeff and Scott – Fischer S bound skis with a waxless pattern and a the new removable skin for touring. The skin attaches on the top sheet but goes through the ski with a nylon strap to attach a skin to the base. Pretty cool when you need extra grip going up (or down) a steep hill. Super easy to install or remove in seconds.
Ron – Sea to Summit Xpot

What do you like best about the OR show?


Phil – The opportunity to not only see new innovative gear and clothing, but to discuss it with friends from other Rocky Mountain shops – primarily those in our Grassroots Outdoor Alliance.
Scott – Seeing new line ups – even if it’s just cosmetic – it gets you excited for the next year. It’s also a great opportunity to find out what other retailers our doing; trade ideas etc.
Jeff – Exchange of ideas and new products. Sharing information with everyone in the outdoor business is always very valuable.
Ron – Pancakes, learning about things I didn’t even know about, and then Happy Hour!

Did you notice any new trends?

Phil – Great new line-ups from Patagonia, Marmot and Arc’teryx. They’re all well designed and great for Jackson Hole weather.
Scott - Nothing new as a “trend” in hardgoods but some vendors displayed new and innovative things. It will be interesting to see if other vendors pick up on this next year.
Jeff – There are a lot of nicely updated products in the touring and skating arena for next season as a result of consolidating products and focusing on the “winners”, while dropping the fringe products.
Ron – There seemed to be a war waging between competing companies over insulated pint glasses and insulated growlers; I’m just glad that there are some companies that are waging that war for the rest of us 😉

Are there any new products that you’re bringing to Skinny Skis next winter?

Phil – Those mentioned above plus some great looking and functional street wear from Kuhl, Toad and Co.(formerly Horny Toad), Patagonia, and Marmot.
Scott – The Fischer S Bound (skin) skis as well as the Salomon skate skis that we will bring in to round out our performance skis.
Jeff – Next winter you’ll see some new Dynafit AT skis and boots as well as new poles and boots from Rossignol.
Ron – Always, but I can only mention the super cool insulated growlers and pint glasses . . . and the Dynafit Chugach 😉