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Growing the Sport
LEVERAGING YOUTH PROGRAMS

Easy and Free Ways to Help Secure the Future of Snowsports
STOP SUFFERING WITH LOUSY LIGHTS!

BY ANDREW CHOLINSKI, COORDINATOR, BRING CHILDREN TO THE SNOW
With conventional metal halide and high pressure sodium lamps you’re replacing bulbs
and ballasts all the time. Maintenance can cost more than electricity! Snow-Bright™
“WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF SNOWSPORTS?” An ever-present
question in the snowsports industry, it is one that has driven fixtures have a 100,000 hour lifecycle … more than half a century for most ski areas!
stakeholders to develop some of the most creative and inno-
vative ways to keep people engaged in snowsports. As ski
industries in all countries recognize, the answer to this Exceptional clarity for slope
question is simple: the future lies with the next generation. lighting with 85% reduction in
But what steps are we taking independently (i.e., area operating electricity and 95%
by area) to nurture the demographic growth of young skiers Courtesy of Copper Mountain drop in “in-rush” current. The
and snowboarders? The International Ski Federation, or FIS, only lighting with the Snow-
while headquartered far from the mountain slopes of North Bright™ spectrum that refracts
America, has developed programs to help ski areas throughout World Snow Day at Copper Mountain, Colo. through the snow surface so
the world in that endeavor. 2018 FIS winners (and inspiration for new events), visit you use less light and get better
On the back of independent research that showed a www.fis-ski.com/news. The Bring Children to the Snow cam- visual acuity!
decline in snowsports participation, FIS unanimously passed paign welcomes such events and does not seek to take over or
a decision at its 2007 FIS Congress that took the issue head control pre-existing programs. Instead, the campaign looks to
on, starting a campaign known as “Bring Children to the support the programs only in the areas an organizer needs. Great for tubing parks and
Snow.” With the start of the program, FIS embarked on a Bringing the next generation to snowsports has never X-Country tracks where
lighting requirements are less
series of test actions and events that revealed the following: been easier. With Bring Children to the Snow, resorts can UPGRADE substantial, but safety and
• The target group is children who are 4 to 14 years of age. develop their own program or use what they currently have, enjoyment are essential. With
• Actions such as free/discounted lift passes, free/discounted access a multitude of best practices for other ideas, and TO THE a color rendition index (CRI)
lessons, free/discounted equipment rental, and themed obtain free-of-charge support from the sports international exceeding .95, colors are sharp
days yield the best results. governing body. This past year, the FIS posted all US Learn ONLY and clear. Designed for the
• A platform needs to be created where all best practices to Ski and Snowboard January offers that were part of the harshest winter conditions from
are displayed. “Special Programs” section of learntoskiandsnowboard.org. LIGHTING -40°F and 150mph winds!
• The task of bringing children to the snow can be This provided extra visibility for LSSM partners. Each listing
performed by snowsports stakeholder ski resorts, included a link to the participating resort’s website. EXCLUSIVELY
tourism organizations, ski and snowboard clubs, etc. LSSM organizers also encourage US resorts to consider Won’t freeze over with snow
and ice like LEDs which can
being part of the World Snow Day and SnowKidz. SnowKidz DESIGNED
With this data, FIS launched the first “SnowKidz” program events can take place at any time during the year. For example, shut down night operations.
LEDs don’t generate heat on
in 2009, following by the second phase lift-off of “World in 2018, Snowmass Resort, Colo., held an event focused FOR SNOW the surface to shed snow and
Snow Day” in 2012. Now, both programs work in parallel on sustainability and provided tours of the on-mountain ice. Some towns and cities have
and offer similar areas of support, including international micro-hydroelectric plant. Typically, World Snow Day takes VENUES. been forced to replace new LEDs
communications on the FIS channels, onsite materials to place on Sunday during Martin Luther King weekend, but with old type incandescent bulbs
help execute events or actions, best practices, and an awards that can also provide opportunities. because of this serious issue!
program that carries financial reward. The best part? All this The 2018–19 season is approaching. Coordinating with
support is free of charge. World Snow Day and Bring Children to the Snow can add
To date, the campaign has included 6,387 events in 53 value to an area’s existing efforts. LSSM organizers and
countries, including the NSAA Learn to Ski and Snowboard FIS officials plan to continue working together toward the
Month programs, the Colorado 5th and 6th Grade Passport ultimate goal of generating new skiers and snowboarders. SOLVE THE
program, and the Minn-Loppet cross-country ski programs For more information, visit www.snowkidz.com or
for North Minneapolis elementary schools, which placed third www.world-snow-day.com, or email FIS worldsnowday@fisski.com PROBLEM WITH VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT
in the 2018 FIS SnowKidz Awards. For a complete list of or snowkidz@fisski.com.
WWW.ULTRATECHLIGHTING.COM
(201) 784-1233 | PO Box 566, Closter, NJ 07624-0566
62 | NSAA JOURNAL | FALL 2018