January 29, 2005 – Good weather, strong visitor attendance and more than 50 exhibitors created an enthusiastic atmosphere in preparation
for OR Winter market at the second annual Backcountry Base
Camp. The event is quickly becoming a ‘must attend’ event for
everyone in the industry. Not only was the foot traffic much
more active, but the quality of attendees was much better as
well. Just about every vendor we spoke with in the aisles said
that the vast majority of attendees were buyers or owners.
OR management clearly made some changes and cracked
down on non-vital attendance.

Hundreds of retailers and industry visitors took to the hills with
skis, snowboards, snowshoes and sleds at Brighton Backcountry
in Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT for a lead-up day of product
tests and previews one day before the official opening of OR
Winter Market.

Sunny weather and an abundance of new skis and snowshoes
brought a heavier crowd than was experienced last year those
who came had a good deal to see. Ten ski companies offered
equipment to those looking to test skis on the slopes and nordic
trails, along with four snowshoe companies were also on hand
with gear to test drive. Of particular note was the large number
of apparel and footwear companies who participated in the
demo day, usually considered a time dedicated to hard goods.
Packs, sunglasses, hats, sleds, accessories and safety gear
were also part of the mix.

The Backcountry Base Camp schedule included sessions on
avalanche awareness, guided tours on skis, snowboards and
snowshoes, beginner lessons in telemarking, and even sledding
and Airboarding. Tubbs sponsored a Romp to Stomp Out Breast
Cancer event, donating $5 to the cause for every person who
participated. The day was rounded out with a Base Camp
Bash, including live music, snacks and drinks.

The Shoeboard tent at the Backcountry Base Camp drew a
great deal of interest during the day. The company, based
in Salt Lake City, has created a collapsing snowshoe that
can be transformed into a ski. Built to accommodate winter
hiking boots and snowboarding boots, the Shoeboard works
as a snowshoe with fold-out sides and a detachable crampon.
Tucked away, the ski mode of the product slims down to a
short, wide ski with metal edges. Skeptics had a chance to
put some prototypes to the test, and a few were quite impressed.

The hardgoods companies were not the only ones getting
the attention. Many of the booths set up by apparel, tent,
and footwear manufacturers were seeing as much or more
traffic than some of the ski companies. Most retailers were
very pleased with the event, and the only complaints voiced
concerned the length of the lift-line.