Like every industry, snow trade is mix of very experienced snow dawgs doing their thing for decades or generations mixed with newbies and in-betweeners, ex-athletes and passionate creatives. It’s a melting pot of product innovators, traditionalists, modernists and everyone in between.
The general vibe feels positive, after a very good to great snow season, with an agreed sentiment we all can do more to focus on late season (spring) skiing right till the chairlifts stop turning, as we say in my family “we can all try a little bit harder”.
If we can stretch the season a few weeks longer, this will be of benefit to:
- Accommodation providers
- Retailers – clothing and gear
- Dining (and hospo in general)
- Instructors, local employment
- Our regional towns. Even though they like to complain about people from the Big Smoke, they secretly love it (Editor’s opinion, in contrast to every single Facebook group).
Better Together
We heard the stories of SIA past, secret new season launches, shuttle buses between opposing outdoor brands and SIA events and sub-snow culture clashes – yep- every industry is the same. However, one of the great initiatives is the combination of the SIA (Snow Industry of Australia) and SOTA trading as ORA (Outdoor Retailers Association) and it meant the great mix of camping, outdoor clothing and accessory providers this year.
An awesome initiative and next year will be EVEN BIGGER AND BETTER. Shout out to Lloyd Green, the tireless organiser, calm and very organised in the face of such a big job to pull the event together. Well done to Llyod and council members.
SIA Awards
The following are recognised as standouts in the snow industry:
Best Snowboard Store
Melbourne Snowboard Centre with Rhythm and Balmoral Boards as runner up.
Best Ski Shop
Auski, with Bumps and Rhythm runners up
Best Boot Fitter
Joey (aka the foot doctor),with Andy Filer and Burf as runner up
Best Tuning Store
On The Tune Thredbo with Basin Edge as runner up
Best Rental
Rhythm winner with runner up Kiwi Valley and Georges, Buller
Best Park
Perisher winner, Thredbo and Mt Hotham runner up
Best Alpine Resort
Thredbo winner with Hotham and Buller as runner up
Best Rep
Sophie from Blacklight, the runner up is Tailah from Rush and Will Cheshire and Hilly
Silent Achiever Award
Jan from Auski
Hall of Fame
Dave from Snow Biz
Small stand
Pit Viper
Best medium stand
Blacklight
Large stand
Rojo
