Archives: Press Releases

SALT LAKE CITY (Dec. 11, 2024) — DPS Skis, the U.S.-based ski manufacturer known for pioneering aerospace-grade carbon technology, announces Pisteworks®, a dramatic redefinition of the alpine carving ski. Pisteworks® represents the first, full carbon fiber on-piste ski from the carbon ski experts, DPS. The characteristics of carbon—lively recovery, efficient energy transfer and tremendous durability—are ideal for a high-performance carving ski. Pisteworks® utilizes premium proprietary carbon fibers and when combined with state-of-the-art lab and on-snow testing, these skis push the boundaries of high-performance carving ski design, manufacturing, and performance.

“For decades, frontside carving skis have relied on metal and fiberglass in the construction for stability and comfort. Our goal was to challenge this norm by delivering the same stability with carbon while also utilizing carbon’s inherent agility,” says Thomas Laakso, Senior Vice President at DPS Skis. “Carbon represents the pinnacle of performance material in every other high-performance application and carving skis are no different.”

An extremely limited release of the first Pisteworks® model, the Pisteworks® 79, is available today for pre-order in 160, 167, 174 and 181cm lengths at https://www.dpsskis.com/products/pisteworks-79, shipping in February 2025. The Pisteworks® 79 comes standard with the revolutionary base treatment, PHANTOM Glide, that provides a permanent snow-glide solution without wax. Pre-ordering the 13.5 meter turn radius Pisteworks® 79 is the only way to guarantee early delivery for this ski season. Additional Pisteworks® models will be available ahead of the 2025/2026 ski season.

The new Pisteworks® carving skis were developed utilizing both static lab testing and dynamic, on-snow data acquisition to fine-tune ski performance throughout every turn. Four-time Olympian and World Cup ski champion, Ted Ligety, spearheaded design and testing for the Pisteworks® skis. DPS also engaged the world’s preeminent carbon fiber lab to enhance its already-proven carbon fiber technologies used in its all-mountain, powder and touring skis.

“Skis that can handle high G-Force turns while maintaining maximum traction and responsive feel have always been the goal of high-performance carving skis,” says Ted Ligety, DPS Ski’s Head of Product Performance. “By analyzing real-time data during turns and optimizing the feedback loop, we’ve developed a ski that delivers a planted yet thrilling ride throughout the entire turn.” To learn more about Pisteworks®, please visit https://www.dpsskis.com/products/pisteworks-79. For more information on DPS, contact account manager Ryan Silven at ryan.silven@rygr.us

About DPS Skis:

Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah, DPS designs the world’s most advanced ski products by fusing space-age carbon technology with groundbreaking shapes. DPS is responsible for the world’s first and only pure pre-impregnated carbon fiber sandwich ski, the first 120mm-waisted powder pintail, the first rockered ski with sidecut, and PHANTOM, a paradigm-shifting permanent, one-time application base-coating that forever eliminates the need for waxing skis and snowboards. DPS products are sold on five continents and are the trusted brand of choice for serious skiers worldwide. www.dpsskis.com

Media Contact:

Ryan Silven Ryan.silven@rygr.us

970-924-0704 ext. 2114

Morrisville, Vt. (Dec. 11, 2024) – In support of its new brand platform, “Step Outside Your Shell”, outdoor headwear and accessories brand Turtle Fur has launched an interactive campaign to demonstrate how personal growth is tied to stepping out of your comfort zone. The campaign will elevate the voices of those who have gained new life perspectives by stepping into the unknown, and support others in challenging their limitations.

“To step outside your shell requires courage and moxie: to work through the fear, the doubt, the apprehension, and get to the joy and transformative benefit on the other side,” explains Erika Canfield, Vice President of Marketing at Turtle Fur. “That human journey is the same for everyone whether you’re a seasoned skier hucking your first cliff, or a city-dweller hiking for the first time. Our Step Outside Your Shell platform and campaign celebrates this, and we hope it inspires more people to step outside their shells.”

Turtle Fur partnered with Seattle-based creative agency OkayBro to shape the campaign’s bold vision. With the creative talents of Producer Kesshann Cortez and Director Giovanni Reda, the campaign developed into a powerful visual story celebrating the transformative power of embracing new experiences.

As part of the campaign, Turtle Fur will also collaborate with longtime partners Vermont Adaptive and Share Winter Foundation, which embody the mentality of Step Outside Your Shell by making outdoor adventure more widely accessible. Turtle Fur will highlight the programming, participants, volunteers, and staff behind each organization throughout the campaign.

The campaign also includes a Winter Adventure Kit Giveaway to equip one lucky winner with the tools they need to feel comfortable enough in their body and environment to try something new in pursuit of personal growth. Turtle Fur is also hosting a scholarship, awarding $5,000 to one lucky winner. The winner will be selected based on their essay submission detailing how they would use the award to step outside their shell and overcome personal obstacles.

The Winter Adventure Kit Giveaway runs from December 11 through December 22 on Turtle Fur’s website, www.turtlefur.com, with a winner selected on December 23. Applications for the Step Outside Your Shell Scholarship will open in early 2025.

About Turtle Fur:
Since 1982 Turtle Fur has been a leading headwear and accessories brand in the outdoor, snow sports, and lifestyle markets. Their mission is to create sustainable solutions for every body that feel great, in every element, built for a life lived outside. As a Certified B Corp™, Turtle Fur is committed to using business as a force for positive change. For more information, visit www.turtlefur.com and follow them on social media @turtlefur.

SALT LAKE CITY – December 11, 2024 – Black Diamond Equipment®, a global leader in climbing, skiing, and mountain sports apparel and equipment, establishes the first-ever benchmarks for recycled aluminum content in climbing hardware and trekking poles via verification from UL Solutions. This initiative demonstrates that Black Diamond’s sustainability claims meet the highest industry standards and are independently validated.

As part of Black Diamond’s ambitious sustainability goals for 2030, the company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 50% and ensuring that 50% of its products are made from preferred materials, including recycled and regenerative fibers. By working with UL Solutions, Black Diamond takes its first step toward reducing the environmental impact of aluminum, the company’s most used material in their hardgoods manufacturing. Black Diamond’s aluminum-based hardgoods, including carabiners and trekking poles, currently make up approximately 10% of its total carbon footprint from raw materials.

“We’ve been pursuing a palpable reduction in our carbon footprint as a part of our overarching sustainability initiative,” said Neil Fiske, President of Black Diamond Equipment. “Replacing raw material with recycled material wherever possible plays a large role in shrinking that footprint. The verification from UL Solutions substantiates our efforts.”

Leading the Outdoor Industry with Recycled Content Verification

Black Diamond’s verification from UL Solutions sets a new standard for sustainability in the outdoor industry. Using the UL Environmental Claim Validation Procedure for Recycled Content (ECVP 2809-2), UL Solutions has verified that 25% of our proprietary BD7075 aluminum alloy billet contains pre-consumer recycled aluminum. Black Diamond uses this aluminum in all carabiners.

Additionally, UL Solutions has validated the amount of recycled aluminum content in our trekking poles, one of the company’s largest hardgoods categories:

• Trail, Trail Cork, and Trail Back Trekking Poles: Certified by UL Solutions to contain 30% pre-consumer recycled aluminum, with a minimum of 14% recycled content by total finished weight.
• Pursuit FLZ, Distance FLZ, and Distance Z Trekking Poles: Certified by UL Solutions to contain 30% pre-consumer recycled aluminum, with a minimum of 16% recycled content by finished weight.

By integrating recycled aluminum into these products, Black Diamond reduces its annual consumption of virgin aluminum by approximately 88 tons. Despite using recycled materials, the company continues to maintain its high standards for product quality, strength, and durability.

A Path Toward Circularity and Sustainability

This milestone is just one part of Black Diamond’s broader sustainability efforts. The company recognizes the challenges of achieving true circularity in hardgoods but remains committed to taking incremental steps in that direction. Products featuring the

UL Solutions Environmental Claim Validation Mark will begin reaching consumers by Q1 2025.

To further support its sustainability efforts, Black Diamond is also extending product lifespans by designing its trekking poles to be more easily repairable. A new spare parts program will also launch in early 2025, making it easier for customers to maintain their gear and reduce waste. Additionally, the company plans to launch an end-of-life recycling program for trekking poles and metallic climbing equipment, with the goal of creating new aluminum products from directly recycled materials—another industry first.

Fiske continued, “This is just the beginning. Our work with UL Solutions is a critical step in reducing our reliance on virgin materials and lowering our carbon footprint. We’re committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainability in the outdoor industry, and we hope our efforts inspire others to do the same.”

About Black Diamond Equipment

Black Diamond Equipment is a global leader in designing innovative outdoor-engineered equipment and apparel for climbing, skiing, and a wide range of other year-round outdoor activities. Headquartered in Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Black Diamond is synonymous with performance, innovation, and durability in the outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond Equipment, visit www.blackdiamondequipment.com.

 

 

(December 10, 2024) — The Outdoor Diversity Alliance is happy to announce our first Catalyst Member, KEEN – a 21-year-old family-owned and values-led shoemaker with purpose. As a Catalyst member, KEEN is committing $25,000 to ODA in 2025. With their support along with our other members, we will be able to move forward in our efforts to further engage the outdoor industry and underrepresented communities in collaborative diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

The Outdoor Diversity Alliance (ODA), which launched late last year, sits in a unique position to carry on the work of diversity within outdoor brands, organizations, and foundations. ODA is a group of outdoor industry businesses and organizations working together to build the outdoor industry of the future. We hope to catalyze the outdoor industry by addressing systemic issues related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through collective action and centering historically underrepresented communities across gender, race & ethnicity, physical ability, and sexual orientation.

This work can only be done with financial backing, and with the recent political pushback on diversity, equity, and inclusion, we’re afraid that funding will be increasingly difficult to come by. We welcome other industry companies to join ODA as a Catalyst member. As a Catalyst member, your $25,000 tax deductible yearly membership dues will help continue funding for community advisors, co-directors and a part-time program manager.

We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines and expect the work of diversity to remain relevant on its own. We must work diligently to ensure that it does.

 

DENVER, Colo. – December 10, 2024 – Following the overwhelming success of last year’s event, the Outside Festival with presenting sponsors Capital One and REI Co-op will return to downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park, May 31-June 1, 2025. Bigger and better, this year’s event will feature a top shelf music lineup, films, speakers, outdoor sports, and much more. Tickets officially go on sale starting this Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. Mountain Standard Time.

Khruangbin, Lord Huron, Sylvan Esso, Trampled by Turtles, Neal Francis, Waxahatchee, Husbands, Hazlett, and other artists to be announced will perform on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1. In addition to live music, the Outside Festival has two full days of events with adventure film screenings, athlete panels and signings, climbing experiences, yoga classes, workshops, gear demos, a kids’ zone, exciting food options, and a variety of immersive brand engagements. The Outside Summit, a precursor to the Festival and the outdoor industry’s premier networking event attended by over 500 influential leaders, will return on Thursday, May 29, with a full day of programming on Friday, May 30, plus exclusive gatherings and Festival access over the weekend.

“We’re beyond excited to bring the Outside Festival and Summit back to Denver in 2025,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. “Last year’s festival was a resounding success and we’re thrilled to once again spotlight Denver’s vibrant community and culture as one of the nation’s best cities to work, play, live, and visit.”

Last year’s inaugural Outside Festival attracted over 18,000 people and generated an estimated $16 million for Denver’s local economy. With a larger footprint in 2025, organizers this year are expecting more than 25,000 attendees. In addition to Civic Center Park, the event will expand to include Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park, as well as spaces inside the Denver Art Museum and the newly renovated Denver Public Library.

“Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy accounts for $66 billion annually, and is a core part of what makes our city and state so successful and vibrant,” said Conor Hall, Director of the Outdoor Industry for the State of Colorado. “Bringing this event back to Colorado cements our place as a leader in this industry, and we’re thrilled to see everyone this spring.”

The event is managed by Boulder-based Outside Interactive Inc. with support from The State of Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and Visit Denver, and executive production by Groundswell Experiential, an industry-leading event and festival agency, and Superfly.

“Outside’s mission has always been to encourage more people to get outdoors, discover, learn, and engage fully with all that nature provides,” said Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside Interactive Inc. “The Outside Festival and Summit will continue to embody that same ethos, offering a space where people can engage and deepen their appreciation for the outdoors alongside others who share the same passion. We hope you’ll join us in 2025 for a weekend of adventure, growth, and community.”

Outside Festival presenting sponsor Capital One is running an exclusive Capital One cardholder presale, giving eligible cardholders –including REI Co-op^® MasterCard^® customers– 48-hour early access to tickets beginning Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. MST, and ending at 10 a.m. MST on Friday, Dec. 13.

Capital One and REI Co-op MasterCard^® cardholders will enjoy benefits leading up to and during the festival, such as early-bird pricing throughout the entire Outside Festival ticket sales window, 15% merchandise and concessions discounts, express entry lines, and exclusive access to the Capital One cardholder lounge on-site during the festival for a premium experience. Festival attendees will also have access to the REI Village, featuring emerging brands, product demos, and more!

Immediately following the Capital One cardholder presale, all tickets will be released to the general public at 10 a.m. MST on Friday, Dec. 13, starting at $99 for the full weekend. VIP packages will start at $150 for a single day and $275 for the full weekend, with access to a premium VIP viewing area, exclusive food vendors, private bar access, expedited entry, and more. Outside+ members have access to early-bird pricing throughout the entire sales window on single-day general admission tickets and all VIP ticket types, plus members have the opportunity to purchase GA+ tier tickets at general admission pricing. Two-day GA+ tickets start at $175 and include perks like express entry, private bathrooms, additional food and beverage options, and access to the Outside+ Lounge. Children ages 12 and under enter free. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theoutsidefestival.com.

Sponsors for the Outside Festival include Capital One, REI Co-op, the State of Colorado, Visit Denver, UCHealth, and the Denver Art Museum.

For more information, please visit theoutsidefestival.com

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Media Contact:

Rachel Weiss rachel.weiss@backbone.media

2024 Festival: ICYMI

Photo and Video Assets (Credit Outside)

About the Outside Festival and Summit

The second annual Outside Festival and Summit will take place in downtown Denver from May 29-June 1, 2025. The Outside Festival presented by Capital One and REI, May 31-June 1, is a celebration of everything outdoors, featuring music, films, speakers, gear, and more. The event is driven by a partnership between Outside Interactive Inc., The State of Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Office, and Visit Denver—all with a shared vision to make the outdoors more accessible and more inclusive. The Outside Summit, May 29-30, is the outdoor industry’s premier networking conference. For more information, including tickets, please visit theoutsidefestival.com.

About Outside Interactive Inc.

Outside Interactive, Inc. is the premier destination for outdoor inspiration, activation, and celebration. Each year, Outside reaches over 300 million unique users and has over 100 million registered users across its network of 25 media, service, and utility brands, including Outside Magazine, Velo, Yoga Journal, Pinkbike, GaiaGPS, Trailforks, MapMyFitness, athleteReg, and more. Outside’s mission is to get everyone outdoors, experiencing healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives by creating an experience for both longtime adventurers and those just getting started. Outside’s membership offering, Outside+, bundles best-in-class storytelling, videos, gear reviews, mapping apps, online courses, discounted event access, magazines, and more. Learn more at www.OutsideOnline.com.

About Capital One

At Capital One we’re on a mission for our customers – bringing them best-in-class products, rewards, service, and experiences. Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. We use technology, innovation, and interaction to provide consumers with products and services to meet their needs. Through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment, we provide our rewards cardholders with access to unforgettable experiences in the areas they’re passionate about, including dining, music, and sports and the arts. Learn more at capitalone.com/dining and capitalone.com/entertainment.

About REI

REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 24 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. In addition to the co-op’s many stores across the country, outdoor enthusiasts can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. Everyone is welcome to shop REI, but members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits. More than a retailer, REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.