Archives: Press Releases

SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 17, 2023) — DPS Skis, the U.S.-based ski manufacturer pairing aerospace carbon technology with groundbreaking shapes, announces a partnership with KOHLA, the Austrian brand specializing in mountain sports equipment. DPS will be the exclusive North American distributor for KOHLA and will be offering the brand’s climbing skins, backpacks, and climbing skin accessories starting November of 2023.

“KOHLA has been a dominant global climbing skin brand but has had very limited distribution in the US and Canada. With the brand’s premium technology and unwavering quality reputation, we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to grow KOHLA’s distribution and broaden the value that we offer to our dealers and customers,” says Thomas Laakso, senior vice president at DPS Skis and PHANTOM Glide. “KOHLA’s climbing skins are best-in-class and align with our brand ethos and will be a perfect companion to the DPS lineup of touring skis.”

KOHLA was founded in 1932 in Innsbruck, Austria by Max Kohla and is still a family run business. KOHLA has always specialized in gear for mountain sports, with an emphasis on backcountry skiing and snowboarding, and is currently the world’s largest manufacturer of climbing skins. All of KOHLA’s products are field tested near the brand’s headquarters in Austria’s Stubai Alps.

“Kohla has been a family-run Austrian mountaineering company since its start in 1932,” says Thomas Span, CEO of Ibex Sportartikel which runs Kohla. “Our heart and soul are in the mountains and we share with DPS a respect for those mountains as well as a passion for snow sports. It’s obvious to us that we have found in DPS Skis the best partner with which to expand our presence in the US and Canada.”

For sales inquiries, interested dealers please contact dealer@dpsskis.com to schedule an appointment to learn more about KOHLA.

For more information on DPS and its partnership with KOHLA, please 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

About KOHLA: Since 1932, Kohla has been a family-run Austrian mountaineering company dedicated to crafting exceptional outdoor equipment. As a leading manufacturer of climbing skins, backpacks, and telescopic poles, we are driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to meeting the highest demands of mountain sports enthusiasts. At Kohla, we are constantly striving to adapt our creations to the evolving needs of our customers, ensuring that every piece of Kohla gear empowers your mountain adventures. When you choose Kohla, you are not just selecting a product; you are embracing a legacy of innovation, quality, and unwavering dedication to the mountains we all love. https://kohla.at/en/

 

 

 

November 17, 2023; The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released economic data today affirming the rise of outdoor recreation to a trillion-dollar industry. Further, New Hampshire experienced significant industry growth ranking 9th in the country for outdoor recreation as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). The 6th annual release provides data on the economic importance of national and state outdoor recreation economies to inform strategic industry development and policy investments, all of which is timely as the U.S. Congress will review America’s Outdoor Recreation Act before the end of the year.

Nationally, the 2022 data shows outdoor recreation generated $1.1 trillion in economic output, comprising 2.2 percent of U.S. GDP, and supporting 5 million jobs — 3.2 percent of all employees in the country – which contributes more to the U.S. economy by percentage than mining (1.8 percent), computer and electronics products (1.2 percent) and agriculture (1.1 percent). In the Granite State, New Hampshire regained its top 10 position among states for outdoor recreation as a share of state GDP, ranking 9th with 3.2 percent of GDP and 10th for overall industry growth (18.1 percent).

Additionally, outdoor recreation in New Hampshire provided 31,000 jobs and $1.5 billion in wages, ranking 6th for percentage growth nationwide (10.3 percent). “Outdoor recreation is a powerful and growing sector of our economy as reflected in today’s data. Now that we have several years of these reports, we have consistent data that underscores the value of our natural treasures and our need to preserve them,” said Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Chair Jeanne Shaheen. “A healthy environment is the foundation of outdoor recreation. In New Hampshire, our clean air, clean water and snowy winters ensure our outdoor recreation small businesses thrive, especially those in rural areas. It is critical that we continue to provide adequate funding to maintain our public lands and support our outdoor economy.”

“Today’s data release shows that the outdoor economy is thriving in New Hampshire and should be on the radar of every policymaker across the State,” said Tyler Ray, Director of Granite Outdoor Alliance. “Through job creation, increased wages, and contributions to the economy, outdoor recreation stands as a bona fide industry rather than merely a weekend pursuit. It’s imperative that we actively embrace this data, and direct policy investments towards sustaining and nurturing this burgeoning economic sector.”

Highlights of the 2022 outdoor recreation industry numbers include:
● Workforce: Outdoor recreation compensation increased 9.1 percent and employment increased 7.4 percent nationally
● Industry: Within the outdoor industry, Retail Trade is the largest segment ($153.6 billion) followed by Arts & Entertainment ($144.5 billion) and Manufacturing ($77.6 billion)
● Activity: RVing was the largest contributor for conventional activities ($35.5 billion) followed by boating/fishing ($32.4 billion), motorcycling/ATVing ($11.5 billion), and snow activities ($7 billion)

For more information and to access the full report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, visit https://www.bea.gov/data/special-topics/outdoor-recreation.

ABOUT GRANITE OUTDOOR ALLIANCE
Granite Outdoor Alliance is a membership-based business alliance comprised of over 120 companies supporting New Hampshire’s outdoor industry, including manufacturers, retailers, hospitality, non-profits, and individuals and families. The goal is to develop a sustainable and inclusive outdoor economy that improves recreation infrastructure, responsible stewardship, healthy communities, workforce development, and economic opportunity. For more information, visit https://www.graniteoutdooralliance.org/.
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CHICAGO, Ill. – November 16, 2023 – Opinel USA is pleased to announce the launch of its latest Artist Series Collection, No.08 Artist IV Nature, a thematic, limited-edition folding knife collection released in collaboration with three artists showcasing aspects of nature through differing origins and inspirations.

For this newest Artist Series Collection, Opinel collaborated with artists Rommy González, MioSHe, and Perrine Honoré to design three classic No.08 Opinel folding knives embodying each artist’s unique and intricate design on the knives’ sustainably-harvested Hornbeam handles. Whether in their artistic practices and processes, or in the use of natural elements in their compositions, nature is the primary inspiration of the collection.

Rommy Gonzalez
Originally from Santiago de Chile, Rommy González is a Berlin-based visual artist and illustrator whose work is focused on the interpretation of nature and finding an intersection between art and science. Her visual language is inspired by botanical and scientific illustration, creating her own imaginary landscapes.

With her design, González presents an inspired expression of nature, showcasing the complex forms of fungi. A combination of astonishing beauty and exquisite flavors that delight our senses, the colorful artwork invites us to open our perception and connect with nature. The knife showcases a numbered stainless steel blade.

MioSHe
French artist Antoine Martinet dit MioSHe is a muralist whose work has appeared in public spaces around the world for over a decade. His work explores the relationship between human, urban, and natural elements and the space in which they are inscribed.

Honoring nature in his design, MioSHe created a silhouette inspired by “Vrikshasana,” the yogic tree pose. Based loosely on Selene, Goddess of the Full Moon, the knife’s design represents the strength of her posture and its ability to transform. The knife showcases a numbered stainless steel blade with matte black PVD finish.

Perrine Honoré
Perrine is a French illustrator and muralist based in Barcelona. With a creative practice spanning fields such as urban art, textile patterns, artistic direction, branding, and jewelry creations, Honoré favors Illustration for the greater freedom of expression it provides.

Exploring a global and colorful visual style that sits between abstract and figurative, her design reveals a variety of natural elements that highlights Honoré‘s festive and colorful aesthetic, building a critical universe where madness and spontaneity prevail, much like in nature. The knife showcases a numbered stainless steel blade.

Collection Details
● Made in France
● Sustainably-harvested Hornbeam handles
● Each knife comes with a customized gift box designed to match the knife
● Rommy González design: 700 units available in the U.S.
● MioSHe design: 600 units available in the U.S.
● Perrine Honoré design: 700 units available in the U.S.
● MSRP: $49 – $55

The No.08 Artist IV Nature Collection is available for pre-order at Opinel-usa.com. Pre-ordered knives will ship the week of November 27.

ABOUT OPINEL USA
Based in the French Alps, Opinel has been making pocket knives and kitchen tools in France since 1890. The brand launched its US subsidiary in 2016. To view the collection, visit
www.opinel-usa.com or follow @opinelusa.

SEATTLE – Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op will open in Albany, New York in fall 2024. The store will offer a wide assortment of apparel, gear and expertise for camping, cycling, running, fitness, hiking, paddling, climbing, snow sports and more. In addition, certified mechanics will tune and repair equipment through a full-service bike, ski and snowboard shop. REI Albany will be the co-op’s sixth store in the state, following a new location in Ithaca that will open next summer.

“We’ve long recognized the opportunity to serve REI members and the broader outdoor community in the Capital Region,” said Sonny Russell, REI regional director. “We’re grateful for the loyalty of our members in Upstate New York who shop online or travel to one of our northeast stores. We look forward to serving them locally and building partnerships with nonprofits doing incredible work to create belonging in the outdoors.”

Store Facts

• Address: Crossgates Mall, One Crossgates Mall Road, Albany, NY 12203
• Store size: Approximately 25,000 square feet
• Features: Full-service bike shop and ski and snowboard shop, buy online-pick up in store, and curbside pickup
• REI membership: 42,700 REI members in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy (New York) DMA and nearly 716,000 in New York state
• REI Albany will be the sixth store in New York
• Closest location to REI Albany: REI West Hartford, Connecticut (122 miles, opened 2007)
• REI stores in New York: Carle Place (174 miles away, opened 2011); Huntington Station (182 miles away, opened Nov. 3, 2023), Manhattan/SoHo (155 miles away, opened 2011), and Rochester (222 miles away, opened 2017). The co-op will open next summer in Ithaca (161 miles away)

As the country’s largest consumer co-op, anyone is welcome to tap into the expertise of REI’s store staff and online resources such as its Expert Advice library to learn or advance skills, plan adventures, and more. Members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits, including a used gear program called Re/Supply to find great deals on lightly used gear and trade-in products for gift cards, discounts on shop services and experiences, an annual Co-op Member Reward of 10% back on eligible purchases, and more.

Building on decades of supporting local and national nonprofits across the country, the REI Cooperative Action Fund launched in 2021 as a 501(c)(3) organization to bring together the collective strength of the co-op community. As a community-supported nonprofit, the REI Fund is fueled by donations from REI members, customers, employees, foundations and corporate partners – including REI Co-op. Each spring and fall, the REI Fund announces new investments to provide unrestricted funding to nonprofit partners that are strengthening the health and well-being of communities through time outside. REI staff across the country can identify regional local organizations whose missions focus on improving access to outdoor recreation places, as well as those connecting nearby underrepresented communities to time outdoors.

The REI Fund recently made a record investment, contributing $6.1 million to more than 260 organizations creating a more equitable outdoors, including $150,000 in total to six nonprofits in New York. In 2023, the REI Fund has granted $10.1 million across the country. To learn more about investments made in New York state, visit https://www.reifund.org/grantees.

Join the REI team
REI expects to hire 50 employees in Albany. Candidates interested in joining the team can learn more and apply online at REI.jobs. Candidates can set a job alert on the co-op’s career site to be notified when positions post. All employees receive a wide variety of benefits, including generous product and service discounts, competitive pay and retirement contributions. REI employees also enjoy unique perks, such as two paid annual “Co-op Way Days” that allow them to enjoy their favorite outdoor activity and an additional paid day off on Black Friday to #OptOutside. REI is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that enables a life outdoors for everyone. The co-op seeks candidates who demonstrate shared values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.

About the REI Co-op
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 23 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 188 locations in 42 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. and CARRBORO, N.C. (Nov. 16, 2023) — Fleet Feet announced today the opening of its second location in Louisville, Ky. Expected to open in November, the new store will be in Fern Creek’s highly-anticipated Cedar Creek Crossing Shopping Center, located at 7706 Bardstown Road.

Louisville native Erin Getz will operate the new store. Getz has been an avid member of Fleet Feet’s running community since it first opened its doors in St. Matthews Station in 1999. An active member of the Louisville community, Getz supports several local nonprofits, including Girls on the Run Kentuckiana, the Kids Cancer Alliance, Waterstep, the Wayside Christian Mission, the St. Matthews and Jeffersontown Chambers of Commerce, and the Louisville Sports Commission.

In 2015, the University of Louisville graduate joined Fleet Feet as the marketing director, and has been operating Fleet Feet Louisville for six years.

“Fleet Feet is more than a job – it’s a way of life,” said Getz. “I love this community, my team and everything we’ve been able to accomplish together to positively impact people’s lives through the power of running. I’m excited to introduce run specialty and all that Fleet Feet has to offer to the Fern Creek community.”

A grand opening will take place in early 2024 with exciting activities and giveaways. In the meantime, customers can find the latest Brooks, Hoka, New Balance and On footwear, as well as a curated collection of Lululemon and Vuori apparel at the new store. It’s also the only place customers can find Karhu running shoes, the brand’s in-house footwear. Fleet Feet Fern Creek will offer a number of run training programs that expand on the existing programs offered at Fleet Feet Louisville, which currently serves more than 300 runners and walkers.

“Erin and her team have done an amazing job in Louisville, as evidenced by The Running Event recognizing their store as one of The Best Running Stores of 2022 and 2023,”  said John Moloznik, vice president of business development at Fleet Feet. “Expanding into the Fern Creek neighborhood will allow them to share their expertise and support even more people who may be thinking about taking their first step into running, are on their fifth marathon, or are simply looking for a comfortable pair of shoes. We couldn’t be more excited to support this growing community.”

Fleet Feet Fern Creek will operate with the brand’s exclusive outfitting experience, fit id®, which includes pressure plates and 3D foot scanning technology that allows the brand to accurately assess the size and shape of customers’ feet and how each foot moves through the gait cycle. This personalized, expert-led approach allows outfitters to offer the right fitting footwear and accessories for each customer.

For more than 47 years, Fleet Feet owners, operating partners and employees have created welcoming environments that allow runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts of all abilities to conquer their goals at every level, on every surface, at every distance with personalized solutions, knowledge and empowerment.  Fleet Feet’s nationwide network of community-based retail stores are a place of inspiration, showing people how Running Changes Everything®.

Visit the Fleet Feet Louisville website to learn more about the store and grand opening activities.

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About Fleet Feet  

Founded in 1976, Fleet Feet is the largest franchisor of locally owned and operated run specialty stores. With more than 260 locations in 40 states and a national headquarters in Carrboro, N.C., Fleet Feet is committed to providing runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts with outfitting expertise, robust training programs, community support and rewards. Fleet Feet believes that RUNNING CHANGES EVERYTHING® and has been recognized on Fast Company’s Brands That Matter List, Inc.’s Best in Business List and PRWeek’s Purpose Awards. Stay inspired, motivated and connected at Fleet Feet.

 

 

 

BEND, OR and BOULDER, CO  (Nov 14, 2023) — La Sportiva, makers of the world’s finest mountain gear, welcomes Seymour Sales Group as their new sales representatives in the Pacific Northwest. This partnership is championed by the dynamic team of Thomas Seymour, Abby Seymour, and Carleigh Garrett, who collectively bring decades of experience and a profound enthusiasm for outdoor sports to La Sportiva’s legacy in the region.

“We feel fortunate to join the La Sportiva family,” said Abby Seymour. “It’s not just about the company’s fantastic gear; it’s about aligning ourselves with a company that mirrors our passions, values, and commitment to pushing the boundaries within the climbing, trail, and alpine communities. The brand’s involvement in conservation efforts and their championing of climbing access rights speaks volumes about their ethos, and we’re here for it.”

With dual headquarters in Bend, OR, and Bellingham, WA, SSG is ideally situated to engage with over 170 key accounts across the Pacific Northwest. Abby and Thomas have more than twenty years of combined sales experience and a deep connection to the climbing, trail, and skiing communities. Carleigh, the team’s newest member, brings a versatile skill set gained over seven years in the outdoor and ski industries, with expertise in apparel, footwear, and hardgoods.

“Our expertise is rooted in authentic experience with the gear we represent,” explains Thomas. “We don’t just know the gear because we sell it — we understand its ins and outs because we use it.”

“Bringing SSG on board aligns perfectly with our vision for growth and community engagement in the Pacific Northwest,” said Jonathan Lantz, President of La Sportiva North America. “Their team’s expertise and active participation in outdoor sports are exactly what La Sportiva needs to help bring our products to a wider audience in the region.”

About La Sportiva

With over 90 years of heritage, La Sportiva has unrivaled experience in building the world’s finest performance mountain footwear. Creating innovation through passion, La Sportiva now offers the most versatile technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking shoes on the market as well as ski mountaineering hardware and apparel. For more information on La Sportiva visit www.sportiva.com.

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) today announced that it has awarded $348,000 in grants that support programs working to develop and activate local and regional trail networks. The projects and programs funded are helping to create equitable access to safe spaces where people can walk, bike and be active outside in the communities where they live.

“At RTC, we believe having space to be active outside is a fundamental right. These grants are critical to supporting organizations that are bringing RTC’s vision of trails connecting everyone, everywhere, to life,” said Mary Ellen Koontz, the lead of RTC’s TrailNation™ Collaborative initiative. “Trail networks are emerging in hundreds of communities across the country, and they are what’s needed to make it safer and more convenient for millions of people to access the outdoors where they live—whether that’s to be active, get around town or have fun in nature.”

As more trail networks are emerging nationwide, RTC’s Trail Grants program invests in the infrastructure and programming that’s necessary to create more access to trails for more people across the country. These grants help organizations and government agencies accelerate their trail network plans, while supporting community-based organizations working to connect more people to these spaces in neighborhoods across the country.

“The work to create, connect, maintain and activate these spaces is critical, yet the funding needed to move these projects forward far exceeds what’s available,” said Koontz. “We are grateful to be able to support 30 grants this year; however, we actually received funding requests from 135 organizations totaling nearly $2.9 million. It’s clear we need significantly more public and private investment to meet the burgeoning demand for safe spaces for people to be active outside.”

The Trail Grants program supports, develops and activates local and regional trail networks nationwide. The entire list of grantees is available at railstotrails.org/grants.

• National awardees include: Latino Outdoors’ Vamos Outdoors program, which provides members of the Latinx and other underrepresented communities with transformative outdoor experiences; HBCUs Outside, which is working with six Historically Black Colleges and Universities to develop outdoor experiences and engage with the outdoor industry; and Black People Who Hike, which is focusing on growing engagement and participation along the Great Rivers Greenways, a trail network in the Greater St. Louis region.

A collection of grantees are advancing trail development and community engagement in RTC’s flagship initiatives—including TrailNation, a portfolio of projects that are redefining how trail networks are built across the country; and the Great American Rail-Trail^®, the nation’s first multiuse cross-country trail, which will link Washington, D.C., and Washington State. Those grantees are:

• Circuit Trails (Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey): Camden Greenways Inc. received a grant to build organizational capacity in support of trail development in Camden City.
• Bay Area Trails Network (California): Rich City Rides received a grant to host Fix-it Friday and Everybody Rides programs to get more people on bikes in Richmond, California.
• Capital Trails Network (Greater Washington, D.C., region): Black Women Bike DC received a grant to support their “Breakfast, Maintenance, and Ride” and Learn to Ride clinics to engage more people to get outdoors.
• Baltimore Greenway Trails Network: Black People Ride Bikes received a grant for their Fostering Unity on Wheels program and the City of Baltimore to install trail counters and lead trail event programming throughout the city.
• Great American Rail-Trail: Grants were awarded for trail maintenance, surface improvements and match funding to the Nickel Plate Trail and Prairie Trails Club in Indiana; Powell County, Montana; and the City of Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners in West Virginia.

Other grant recipients serve a range of rural, urban and suburban areas. They include: Freshwater Land Trust (Birmingham, Alabama); Anchorage Parks Foundation (Anchorage, Alaska); City of Hot Springs Parks and Trails (Hot Springs, Arkansas); Bronzeville Trail Task Force (Chicago); Special Olympics Kansas (Mission, Kansas); West Michigan Trails (Grand Rapids, Michigan); Montana Trails Coalition (Clancy, Montana); Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail (Littleton, New Hampshire); NC Great Trails State (Morganton, North Carolina); City of Trotwood (Ohio); Borinquen Trail Inc. (Dorado, Puerto Rico); Metropolitan Richmond Sports Backers (Virginia); ForeverGreen Trails (Tacoma, Washington); and Wenatchee Valley TREAD (Wenatchee, Washington).

The 2023 Trail Grants are part of RTC’s longstanding program, which has distributed nearly $3 million across more than 380 grants to over 225 organizations since 2008. Learn more about RTC’s Trail Grants program at railstotrails.org/grants.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is the nation’s largest trails organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong—dedicated to building a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.