Bacteria-fighting silver underwear, softer, cushier ski boots and inflatable insulation are among the 2002-03 wintersports trends on display at the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) SnowSports trade show, Jan. 29 - Feb. 2, 2002. The SIA Show previews futuristic equipment, technical apparel, and a wide range of accessories that will impact wintersports for next season.

"Warmth, comfort and ease of use - that's really the big news in skiing and snowboarding equipment and apparel this season," said 20-year industry veteran Bill Grout, editor of Snow Trade News (STN). "It's even easier to transport your skis, because the new high-performance shapes are so much shorter than skis of just a few years ago."

Snowboards for Women

Burton's newest board, Witchcraft, delivers a freestyle feel with stability and quick response at high speeds on trails, in trees, and through chutes. Salomon extends its women's board line to include the Radiant, an all-new series for the "newly addicted" rider. K2 offers the all-new, responsive and lightweight V-10 Magma high-performance binding. Head introduces the Jade, an all-mountain freeride board in two widths and three sizes. It features Head's freeflex insert rails and silicone fiber construction with a sintered base.

Off the Beaten Track

Snowboarders are gaining access to "off-piste" backcountry areas with split-board systems, the innovative technology that allows a board to be split into a pair of "skis" for free-heel touring, but snapped back into a single unit for downhill riding. Better connection points, new crampons and other accessories are helping snowboarders reach backcountry terrain more easily.

Snowshoeing, which has seen the biggest leaps in women's participation, is now at a point where women comprise 51 percent of snowshoers. Manufacturers are offering more performance with less weight. StarGazer and DayTripper snowshoes from Yakima, for example, feature hybrid nylon-aluminum frames that cut weight, an asymmetrical design that allows users to walk more naturally, and pivoting binding systems that can be adjusted as snow conditions change.

***SIA***
SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is the national, not-for-profit, member-owned trade association that represents snow and winter sports outdoor companies. SIA produces the SIA SnowSports Show, the largest trade show and gathering place for the snow sports industry. Proceeds from the SnowSports Show fund market development programs for all snow sport disciplines. SIA also annually produces more than a dozen industry research studies. For more information, check out www.snowlink.com. SnowSports Industries America, 8377-B Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102-3587. Phone: (703) 556-9020, Fax: (703) 821-8276, Email: siamail@snowsports.org.

— Posted by Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Staff