Reminders for Snowshoeing Beginners Issued

Industry experts recently posted new reminders for beginners and those considering purchasing snowshoes for the first time. The cautionary list includes bothing fitment and physiological advice.

- A proper snow shoe fit is essential. Prior to purchasing a pair, borrow or rent snowshoes that can be thoroughly tested before buying to own.

- Snowshoeing has been rated by exercise physiologists as a difficult activity that requires a 175-pound individual to burn 675 calories per hour during each session.

- It is very important to remain hydrated by drinking lots of fluids including water and keeping body energy levels elevated by eating high-energy foods, enabling beginner snowshoers to acclimatize their bodies to the increased demands of the sport.

Industry Experts Release Snowshoe Facts, Past and Present

Industry experts from snowshoeracing.com and rei.com recently released several historical and recent facts regarding the progression and advancement of snowshoeing throughout history. Featured facts include:

- It is commonly thought that a type of winter walking aid similar to snowshoes was used in the central Asian region around 4000 B.C.

- The earliest forms of snowshoes were essentially wood snowshoes made of branches tied together using rawhide.

- Originally used for hunting and other forms of survival, snow shoes eventually became more of a recreational activity by the late 1880s.

- Beginning in the 1900s, snowshoe design was altered by the use of wooden frames with a waved deck constructed of caribou gut or cow skin combined with rawhide bindings.

- A major innovation, the invention of neoprene style lacing in the 1960s significantly eliminated the problem of stretched out bindings.

- Features that include aerospace-grade aluminum frames, spring-loaded bindings, toe and heel crampons and urethane deckings are now standard on most snowshoes manufactured in modern times.

Tubbs' Romp To Stomp Out Breast Cancer Event At Stratton Mountain Resort Raises Over $17,000

Stratton Mountain Resort has released a report on the Tubbs Snowshoes Romp To Stomp Out Breast Cancer Event to support the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation that took place at the ski area earlier this winter. A spokesman stated that over 200 attended the 2005 event, helping to raise over $17,000 for local affiliates of the Susan G. Koman foundation. Along with Tubbs Snowshoes, sponsors included Columbia Sportswear, EMS and Green Mountain Coffee.

Kathy Murphy, general manager of Tubbs Snowshoes, said “We’re thrilled with the turnout, especially when you consider that the high temperature for the day was -3 degrees. I'm proud of the contribution that the snowshoeing community is making to help find a cure for this disease that is so near and dear to all of us."

Event coordinator for Tubbs Snowshoes, Paul Adams, added "Snowshoeing's health and fitness message is a perfect match for this sort of fundraiser. It's always fun to see the familiar faces that participate as well as the newcomers who are learning about the health, social, and spiritual benefits of snowshoeing for the first time."

Tubbs Snow Shoes also has a program that contributes a percentage of sales from its women’s products to the foundation. Winners of the Fun Run snowshoe race, which is included at all 'Romp to Stomp' events, was Tubbs sponsored athlete Stephen Judice with a time of 8:27, and is from Keene, NH and Sara Dorsey, clocking a time of 12:45, and is from Manchester, VT.

United States Snowshoe Association Offers Tips for Introducing Snowshoeing to Kids

The United States Snowshoe Association recently provided a list of tips for introducing snowshoeing to children. They explained that kids love being with their friends, so put together a group of parents and children and head to a mountain, park or trail network. Families with older children may be able to join a local outdoor organization in their area for upcoming snow shoe trips.

Other advice includes making some advance planning. When going out with younger children, have a destination in mind. The kids are going to want to play once you get there, so be sure the adults have enough clothing to keep warm. Keep it fun and interesting. You want your children to like snowshoeing enough to do it again. Keep it real. Set appropriate expectations based on your children's ages and outdoor experience. For young children, just getting them out for an hour may be enough. With your older children, plan an adventure.

Innovative and high-tech materials have made modern snowshoes less cumbersome than their traditional wooden snowshoes predecessors. Get snowshoes that fit. Whether you rent, borrow or buy snowshoes, have someone experienced explain them to you. Show your children how to put them on and take them off before you go. There is no other gear necessary, although snow shoe trekking poles can be useful for balance and when climbing up slopes. Children are almost always into gear so take advantage of this by playing it up. Whether you borrow or rent snowshoes for your first excursion, let the kids participate in the process. They will surprise you with their enthusiasm and interest.

Attendance Up At 2005 Taste the Passion Snowshoe Tour

Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association reported attendence was up once again for their annual Taste the Passion Snowshoe Tour, an annual weekend event organized by the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association. For several years, the 11-member wineries have held the February celebration of “wine, chocolate and love”. Participants use snowshoes to hike from one wine cellar to the next, sampling a selection of wine, chocolate desserts, and socializing along the way. The association stated that most of the wineries are perched on high ridges along the peninsula and offer panoramic views of the surrounding winter Michigan countryside and Lake Michigan.

Snowshoe Clinic Hosted by Natick Eastern Mountain Sports and Massachusetts Regional Trustees

Sudbury Valley Massachusetts Trustees reports a successful attendence at the snowshoe clinic at Memorial Forest Reservation in Sudbury on Saturday, February 26, 2005. Natick Eastern Mountain Sports representative Larry Bliss was on hand for instruction, guidance and tips for snowshoers of all ages and abilities. Several pairs of snowshoes from various manufacturers were available for participants to try out.

Tubbs & Atlas Snow Shoes Parent Company, K2 Inc., Files Fourth Quarter Earnings Report

Parent company of Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snow Shoes, K2 Inc., recently reported net sales for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2004 of $338.9 million, an increase of 75% from $193.8 million in the prior year, and diluted earnings per share of $0.18, a 157% increase over the fourth quarter of 2003. Operating income in the fourth quarter of 2004 was $21.5 million, a 294% increase from the 2003 comparable period, and net income was $8.8 million, a 310% increase from the fourth quarter of 2003.

Net sales for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2004 were $1.2 billion, an increase of 67% over the 2003 comparable period, and diluted earnings per share of $0.86, an increase of 95% over the 2003 comparable period. Operating income for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2004 was $81.0 million, a 153% increase over the 2003 comparable period, and net income was $38.9 million, a 241% increase over the 2003 comparable period.

Chairman and CEO, Richard Heckmann, stated, "2004 was an excellent year for K2 as evidenced by organic sales growth of approximately 9%, excluding the previously forecast decline in in-line skate sales, and dramatic growth in margins and profitability. Our acquisitions of Volkl and Marker have significantly strengthened our global winter products business, and Marmot and Ex Officio are the cornerstones of our technical apparel platform. For our 2005 guidance, comparability with the first and second quarters of 2004 is complicated by two key factors. The first is the timing of the acquisitions of Volkl, Marker and Marmot at mid-year. They are highly seasonal businesses and normally generate losses in the first six months of the year, which are not reflected in our full year 2004 GAAP financial figures. Secondly, we are incurring non-cash amortization charges related to recent acquisitions, non-cash stock compensation expense, and significant expenses associated with compliance under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. While we believe we have just begun to realize the revenue and operational synergies available as a result of our recent transactions, we remain cautious about the timing of their impact. We have seen our EBITDA grow from $41.2 million in 2002 to $50.6 million in 2003 and $114.1 million in 2004, and we project over $120 million in 2005. Given the complexity of the industry's seasonal business, we operate with particular attention to EBITDA and free cash flow. In 2004, K2 generated approximately $53 million in free cash flow, defined as net income plus non-cash taxes before acquisitions and growth in working capital."

K2's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of the Company's common stock as a means to enhance shareholder value. Depending on market conditions, K2 may repurchase up to $50 million of the Company's common stock periodically in open market or privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable laws. The Company will use its available cash resources to fund the stock repurchase program.

K2's net sales in the fourth quarter of 2004 were $210.9 million, excluding the net sales from businesses acquired by K2 during 2004 and the incremental net sales from the Brass Eagle acquisition which closed at the end of the 2003 fourth quarter. K2's net sales in the fourth quarter of 2003 were $193.8 million, which reflects a sales increase of 8.8% excluding the impact of acquisitions, for the 2004 fourth quarter.

Due to the acquisitions of Ex Officio and Marmot in the 2004 second and third quarters, respectively, K2 formed an Apparel and Footwear segment in the 2004 third quarter that also includes Earth Products. Earth Products was formerly included in the Action Sports segment.

Sales of skis, snowboards, in-line skates, bikes, snowshoes and paintball products totaled $178.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2004, an increase of 130.1% over the 2003 fourth quarter. Growth was driven by double digit increases in sales of K2 skis and Tubbs & Atlas snowshoes, improved sales of snowboards, and the acquisitions of Volkl and Marker at the beginning of the third quarter of 2004.

MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes Earn Design Distinction Award

Seattle-based manufacturer of snow shoes and backcountry gear, Mountain Safety Research, has been awarded a Design Distinction award in the consumer products category in I.D. Magazine’s 2005 Annual Design Review for its MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes. The award will be featured in the magazine’s July/August 2005 issue.

The I.D. Magazine Annual Design review is one of the largest and most prestigious juried design-recognition programs in the United States. The Design Review showcases the best American and international designs in Consumer Product sectors including Equipment, Furniture, Environments, Graphics, Packaging, Concepts and Student Projects.

Cascade Designs (parent company of MSR) winter sports product specialist, Bill Forrest, stated “Innovation is what makes us come to work every day. We’re honored to receive this award, which validates the years of dedicated work that went into designing the next generation of snowshoes.”

The MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoe took an innovative approach to frame design. The patent-pending design features an unparalleled 360-degree traction that is able to reduce over a half pound of weight off the average adventure and backcountry snowshoe. Available in both men's and women's versions, the MSR Lightning Ascent enables men and women to make snowshoeing more comfortable and natural.

Besides snow shoes, the MSR product line includes camping stoves, water filters and purifiers, cookware, tents, climbing gear, camping towels, fuel and related accessories.

2005 Nike/ACG U.S. Snowshoe National Championships Results

Results of the top finishers at the 2005 Nike/ACG U.S. Snowshoe National Championships held March 5 at Kincaid Park in Anchorage Alaska have been released.

Seniors, 10 km
Men
1) Aaron Robertson, New York, 42 minutes, 19 seconds; 2) Charlie Wertheim, Colorado, 43:12; 3) Jesse Haynes, California, 43:40; 4) Mike McManus, Oregon, 43:55; 5) Mike Decker, Michigan, 44:11.

Women
1) Nikki Kimball, Montana, 49:33; 2) Karen Mellar-Smith, Colorado, time not available; 3) Lyann Lorenz, New York, 54:44; 4) Laurie Lambert, Texas, 54:47; 5) Cindy Brochman, Minnesota, 55:53.

Juniors, 5 km
Boys
1) Jason Ayr, Massachusetts, 23:15; 2) Zachary Rivers, New York, 23:46; 3) Nicholas Wujciak, New York, 27:08.

Girls
1) Anna Lieb, Colorado, 27:53; 2) Lindsay Dick, Colorado, 33:58; 3) Heidi Lovett, Alaska, 36:23.

The top five finishers among senior men and women, and the top two juniors, were named to the U.S. National Snowshoe Team.

Tuques Bleues Celebration & Snowshoe Event Held on Montreal's Mount Royal Snowshoe Trails

Event organisers of the 2005 Tuques Bleues celebration and snowshoe event, one of the more unusual winter events held, reported over 850 snowshoers turned out. Held on Mount Royal in Montreal, revelers wear blue tuques and officially celebrate the beginning of the Montreal High Lights Festival. The blue tuque tradition has a history as far back as 1840.

The event took place in three parts. First was the 2.5 km snowshoe race on Mount Royal's hiking paths, lit by torches only. More than 40 corporate teams competed to win gold, silver and bronze in men's and women's categories. The race started at the Smith House and ended at the Mount Royal Chalet. Olympic cross-country skier, Chris Blanchard, was official starter of the event. Next, 650 participants snowshoe walked in the evening on the Mount Royal trails. Lyne Bessette, world champion, Olympic cyclist, Jean- Luc Brassard, double world champion, Olympic gold medal winner in freestyle skiing and Nathalie Lambert, three-time world champion, Olympic gold medal winner all particated as well. And finally, the Celebration and Snowshoe Event concluded at the Montreal Mount Royal Chalet with a BBQ and awards ceremony.

Nike U.S. National Snowshoe Championships March 5-6, 2005

Saturday, March 5 the 2005 Nike ACG U.S. National Snowshoe Championships will be taking place in Anchorage, Alaska at Kincaid Park. Event organizers stated that registration will begin on Friday from 2pm to 6pm at the Kincaid Park - East Room. A pre-championship dinner is also scheduled to take place at the Sourdough Mining Company Restaurant. At 1pm on Saturday will be the start of the 5th Annual Nike ACG United States National Snowshoe Junior 5km & Senior 10km Championships. Immediately following, at 1:15pm, will be the start of the Atlas Snowshoe Citizen's 5km and 10km Snowshoe Run and Walk events. The awards presentation will be held at 3 pm.

Event planners also explained that events will also be held on Sunday March 6. From 11am-noon, the local Anchorage REI will conduct a snow shoe clinic to the public. And at 1 pm will be the start of the inaugural Tubbs Snowshoes 4 x 2.5km Snowshoe Team Relay Race. The awards ceremony for this event will be held at 3 pm.