Page 26 - Summer 2014

2015 is a NEW! Year of Progression Burton is so far out in front with progressing product it might as well be the only game in town. Every facet of riding and the riding experience is considered to give your customers the ability to do what they need and retain their satisfaction. www.burton.com/learntoride NEW BURTON RENTAL & LTR PRODUCT giveaways (including ski helmets). Other initiatives included levels—and be hooked for life,” said Charlie Payne, risk and mandatory ACL injury prevention training, a new requirement safety manager. for helmet use during avalanche control work, and the purchase Copper has reached out to beginners in a way that not only NEW NEW NEW of eight avalanche airbags. helps them learn but makes that experience comfortable, fun Featuring Fillet-o-Flex! Available in Men’s, Women’s, New Design and EPS Liner! and Youth sizes! As of the application deadline, reported collisions were and, above all, safe. down 22 percent over last season, “attributed mainly to the ski EASY RIDER LTR 150 patrol’s efforts to educate guests about skiing and riding respon- BeSt AvAlANChe eduCAtioN ProgrAm sibly,” said Jon Gauld, safety and risk management coordina- vail mountain, Colorado tor. The focus on employee safety paid off too: In mid-March, Avalanche awareness is essential worker’s compensation claims were down 94 percent and the in Eagle County, Colorado, and REF STANCE WIDTH WWW.BURTON.COM/PATENTS REF LOCATION 530 MM / 21 IN CENTERED PAT. - SEE: resort had gone 354 days without a claim. a new community outreach pro- “This has been an eye opener, especially in a very low snow gram on avalanche education is a year when our injury rate tends to jump,” said Gauld. “Our team prime example of how Vail is supporting the initiative. believes we are onto something…. From the decrease in worker’s Working with the Vail and Beaver Creek ski patrols, the compensation claims to decreased collisions and the increase of resort developed the free-of-charge Eagle County Avalanche LTR BOARD PROGRESSION BOA BOOT PROGRESSION HELMET ® empowerment and awareness, this season has been a success.” Awareness Series for the 2012-13 season in response to growing The ultimate learning machine. The quickest way to the top. Easy to adjust and organize—it’s a no brainer. interest in backcountry use, and the program continued with BeSt terrAiN PArk SAfety ProgrAm standing-room-only success in 2013-14. The objective is to edu- Copper mountain, Colorado cate the public about basic avalanche awareness and safety—and STARTING WITH THE LITTLE ONES Terrain park beginners have have them practice what they learn—long before they venture Now with the industry’s fi rst - smallest snowboard, enough to focus on without the into the backcountry. boots and bindings, the opportunity to get kids on added worry that they might get Offered from January to March, the three sessions focus snow is wide open. Burton kids’ product is designed to be light, fl exible, warm and very, very rider-friendly. hurt (or look foolish). To help on the basics of avalanche safety while also offering information Riding is fun, learning to ride should be even more so. alleviate the fear and awkwardness of being a first-timer, Copper about more formal levels of education and certification. Patrollers has dedicated an entire section of its terrain-based learning area share stories, dispel myths, talk about current snow conditions to beginners only, designed to make these special guests feel safe, and snowpack, and discuss the importance of knowing how to if not less self conscious. use avalanche gear, including beacons, and practicing with it. “Green Acres” is a place where learners can be at ease while The series targets a broad audience, including seasoned getting a handle on how to use Copper’s terrain park features. backcountry enthusiasts, newcomers, and visiting guests. The With one senior manager overseeing both the resort’s terrain patrol discusses the influences of peer pressure and group men- park program and the Woodward at Copper facility, there’s a tality, and emphasizes that everyone needs to recognize danger consistent focus on linking all ability levels through correspond- signs and make smart decisions. Also sharing their perspectives ing features and sizes. The terrain parks mirror the indoor pro- are guest speakers from partnering agencies and organizations— gression of the Woodward Barn, with professionally crafted including the U.S. Forest Service, Open Snow, Flight for Life, jumps, rails, and boxes ranging from small beginner boxes all the and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Topics build N NEW NEW NEW NEWEW way to large freestyle jumps—and everything in between. over the course of the season and are relevant to conditions, For beginners ages 16 and older, the half-day learn-to ses- incentivizing attendance at all three sessions. sions at Green Acres are conveniently offered every day in the “The depth of knowledge and experience from present- morning and afternoon. There are no other trails filtering into ers who volunteer their time for the sessions is unmatched,” the area, so guests can learn in a safe, out-of-the-way place using said Julie Rust, director of Vail’s ski patrol, mountain safety, and THE NEW RIGLET REEL II PROGRESSION 7C & 8C PROGRESSION 70CM KIDS’ BOARD only two lifts: a surface lift and chairlift. There are three different community guest services. “With an abundance of backcountry As if this little device could get any better, GROM BINDINGS XS BOOTS The advancements in teaching toddlers to features—a mini-pipe, banked turns, and rollers—designed to access in the area, from a responder and host perspective, there is right? Well, it did. We’ve improved the By adding the adjustable heel hoop to They’re warm, they’re easy, and they’re ride have been wild to witness, and Burton cable and retraction while providing an Learn To Ride answers the call with the now offered as small as a 7C. Packed with our widely popular Grom Binding, the teach terrain park basics. Guests then develop the skills to move a mutual benefit in working together to help inform the public ergonomic handle that allows you to Progression Grom is as versatile as it is 3M™ Thinsulate Insulation, the smaller shortest board in the industry—the 70cm. from Copper’s small playground parks to its multiple progression about the risks, proper training, and best practices in advance of shorten the lead length. Available to attach the perfect fi t for the new 7C and 8C size continues to keep those feet toasty Using an ultra-thin core profi le, Super Flex to Burton Kids’ 70, 80, 90, 100, and 110cm and our own children as lab rats, the ability and the EVA midsole and rubber tread is boots. The Onestrap ® and its easy-to-fold parks, building up their ability and self confidence along the way. anyone traveling into these areas.” boards, the reel can be used as a simple opening and mitten-friendly buckles are designed to fl ex incredibly well. The grip to feel what it means to turn has never been “The hope is that they’ll have such successful experiences The community and resorts have embraced the program tow to the Magic Carpet or as an incredibly a kid’s best friend on snow and everyone of the Velcro ® straps is as strong as it is offered to kids this young. And it’s working. Together with the Riglet Reel II, you too can effective terrain-based teaching tool for the else’s dream at the top of the lift when they easy to use and the support is ideal for at each stage of their learning that they’ll progress to subsequent (continued on p. 64) youngest guests. strap in by themselves. binding and board response. The Room- pull kids in the right direction. to-Grow footbed also makes a quick sizing adjustment simple and fast. 24 | NSAA Journal | SUMMER 2014 w w w. n s a a . o rg NSAA Summer 2014 prepressed v6a.indd 24 7/3/14 4:19 PM