A SIA Virgin heads to Vegas

Our West Coast Correspondent, Tali, took a road trip from Tahoe to Vegas for her first visit to SIA. She's got a first-timers perspective on the products and the show.

Setting out, I knew the drive from Tahoe to Vegas would be less exciting than other drives I had done for my love of snow, but I had no idea how bad it would be. After passing through no less than 3 towns with gas stations that looked like a set for Texas Chain Saw Massacre, I was running on empty and had no cell signal. It didn’t help that daylight was fading and I began imagining myself stranded on the side of the road and leather face stopping to “help” me.

Just as I was accepting my fate, I spotted bright lights in the distance. A town. A big town. I practically squealed with excitement, as I knew they would offer me a safe place to pump away. I would be saved! I’d actually make it to Vegas in one piece after all!

After some drinks with some friends, grabbing Lo from the airport, getting upgraded to TheHotel, and a comfy nights sleep I was feeling good for my first day at SIA. Now, I’d been to trade shows before, but I had always been on the buying side.  So I was intrigued to see how media would be involved. The immediate difference I noticed from my past experiences was everyone was wearing beanies and hoodies as opposed to “business casual” attire. BEANIES IN VEGAS!?!?

I should have been more prepared for all these snow lovers in a desert oasis. In our first appointment I quickly realized that they’re very similar to those I had on the buying side, but MUCH more enjoyable. There was no one trying to sell you on anything, no contracts to sign, no pressure to beat last years sales numbers. But there was a lot of explanation and excitement about products, tech, and innovative design features.

After a few meetings (Giro, Bulla, Eesa, Grenade, Vans, Dragon, and Skullcandy) Lorene and I decided to split up so that we could hit twice the vendors and make the most out of our time.  I checked to see which brands we didn't have scheduled yet and set out to make appointments happen. I first headed out to Nikita, who scheduled me for something the next day.  Then I hit up Capita, Union Bindings, and Celtek before meeting back up with Lo.

Kristin from 686 showed us some awesome pieces from their new line including a rad Levi’s denim jacket and a very interesting collaboration with New Balance to create a boot line.

 Afterwards we took a moment to breathe and set off to look for something interesting. We came upon a booth for the line Suga Point. They were very intrigued by Powderroom and insisted on looking us up online.

In the meantime Lo realized we had to head out for our appointment at Bonfire. I decided to stay behind and get the goods on Suga Point as Lo scooted off.  James, their US General Manager, informed me that they are numero uno in Korea and looking to get into the US market for the first time after being in Asia for 5 seasons. Their stuff was very bright and after mentioning this to James, he told me that one of Suga Point’s main objectives was “brightness.”

With about 20 minutes left of the Bonfire/Salomon appointment I hurried out to catch the presentation of their outerwear line. I have to say I was very impressed and all the pieces seemed to have additional length to them. YAY!

The day was winding down and Lo and I headed out to the last scheduled appointment of the day: Holden. Mike LeBlanc himself took us through the line and both of us were excited about the details in the pieces. Holden is also bringing back of some of their classics under a new line and offering them at a lower price point.

With the first day of appointments done, Lo and I started heading for the door.  Then we passed by Nomis. For the past few weeks I had been falling in love with this company after I had found a hoodie that fit me perfectly. Perfectly. I told Lo that I’d meet up with her in the room and that I had to check Nomis out.

Matt Chamberlain, brother of pro rider Simon, took me though the ladies line and showed me some of their new and exciting features for the upcoming season. This will be Nomis’s first season doing outerwear for the ladies and just like me they are very excited about it. I found their heated hoodie to be my favorite item and they are putting it out with 3 heat settings.  After chatting for a bit the long day was getting to me and I chartered off to find Lo and compare notes on the day.

Day 2 held a little rougher start up than the prior one. After a night with an open bar at the Transworld Riders Awards, Snoop Dog, and a special appearance by Beat Boxing master Rahzel, I needed more sleep than Vegas could ever allow. Lorene sympathized with me and let me marinate a few moments longer. After a quick shower and an even quicker blowdry I left the coziness of the hotel room and marched into the craziness of the SIA show.

I quickly looked at my list and started off towards the Sessions booth. There I was informed that they are expanding their collaboration with B4BC and are doing jackets, hoodies, and t-shirts. They are also putting a hidden mitt in most of their hoodies and jackets for those days you forget or don’t want to wear gloves.

Next on the list was Arbor who completely re-educated me as to what “eco” really means...and man, they are eco! I especially liked their wood from old skate and snowboards inlayed onto zippers, and bamboo in everything. It’s so soft, practically stink-proof, and wicks moisture away! They are also doing tons of artist collaborations and it shows in the designs of their boards and clothes.

Hopping on over to Airblaster I had the pleasure of meeting with Melissa, the lovely lady who designed their women’s line. Rest assured that their Mild, Medium, and Wild colorways live on. This year they expanded their women’s line to 3 tops and 3 bottoms and included lots of knit ribbing right where us ladies like it - hips and wrists. They also improved their Ninja Suits to include a “slash zip” in the rear for easy bathroom access. Realizing the time I thanked Melissa for her time and jogged over to the Burton booth to meet Lo.

Burton, surprise surprise, had the largest set up of all the vendors at SIA. Here, Lo and I continued to see the theme of extended length on jackets (THANK YOU DESIGNERS!) and a Betsy Johnson-like flavor in the B by Burton line. The Stria is being cut in 2010 and has replaced by the uber popular Lipstick. The Feelgood will also be offered in a rocker this year as well as the time tested non-rocker version.

The biggest change in their bindings is the new offering of the Molotov binding: a park specific model that gives extra support when locking into presses and butters. With Burton having so much to look at, our time with them was over before we knew it and Lo and I separated again.

From the Burton booth I jotted off to meet with Nikita who, even though I had an appointment, ended up being super busy so I just grabbed a catalogue and exchanged business cards my fellow Icelanders.

After grabbing a quick bite I decided to run over to the YES Snowboards booth, as they had been getting a lot of buzz.  The founders had all recently been cut from the Burton team and  they are having Nidecker is produce their boards.

The booth was decorated with plain paper and witty/bitter sayings on the wall. One of my favorites: “how to win at the X games- open voting to the US only.” Earlier in the day I had noticed 2 photos of topless women and YES Snowboard stickers over their nips on the walls, and after getting mildly harassed for about a minute to pose as well, I quickly bolted.

Next on the list was a meet up with Lo at the Cilla booth. THIS I was excited for. I had looked for some pieces earlier this season and they were very hard to find and when I did my size wasn’t available. I was stoked to hear that Cilla is expanding their line offerings, distribution, and adding some very cute skull prints and funky owls that are drawn by Priscilla herself.

Scurrying off again we arrived late to our Rome appointment with Anna, who honestly looked thankful for a few moments of rest in between appointments. Rome’s outerwear is looking MUCH better than last year. I’m especially thrilled for their 2am print Vest that is a throwback to the 80’s in every which way that is awesome. Rome, after their success of their men’s rockered board, is developing one for the ladies this season, the LoFi 1985. And I have to say I am a little bit jealous of their artist series board graphic with “my little ponies” all over it. Too bad it’s for the gents.

Lo took off to meet with Ride while I walked over to LibTech and Gnu, who were next on my list. There I got the supreme honor of being shown around by the ever-popular Pete. After asking him about the rumors of Lib making a Skate Banana for us females I was informed that Lib believes that the snow doesn’t know the difference between boys and girls. Hence, they are make a smaller persons board and nothing women specific. This “smaller persons” skate banana is narrower than the traditional banana and comes in a 148 and 151.

Over at Gnu we checked out their women’s boards which all have BTX (Banana Tech and Magnatraction).  This year they introduced C2BTX where there are actually two areas of banana tech: one in between the bindings and the second in between the bindings and the nose and tail. Pete went off to do an interview for RSN and I went to the next booth.

After hanging out with some of the Nitro kids at the bars the night before, I headed over there to check out their boards and the much hyped L1TA line. I found the “scratch and rip” material on some of their bases to be very interesting. Basically when you get a scrape, it’ll change color leaving you with bright battle scars on your base. The L1TA line to me is a mix of indie girl and rockstar, and it works. I was especially stoked on the Let Me Go jacket which has a detachable belt, is insulated but not puffy, and can go from mountain to street easily.

The night was coming to an end. After some drinks at the Ride and Nitro booths, dinner at a burger joint, shopping at Lush, and hitting the bars for some fun it was bedtime. I was the very definition of tired, and that cozy bed back at the hotel was calling my name.

In the morning it was time for the all hailed Vegas breakfast buffet. Lo and I loaded up on eggs, pastries, blintzes, and other yummy items before packing up the room and loading up the car. I have to say the drive the 2^nd time around was much better, I owe that to Lo agreeing with me on the oddities and sketchiness of it all.

SIA was mega fun and mega tiring, but I can’t wait to see some of this stuff in the stores. Bring on 2010!