Company Websights

[Hawkshot99]

Why do the companies wait so long to update their websites? As of now, only about half of the companies I am interested in have updated their sites with 09/10 gear. Last year Giro Helmets did not update their site till beginning of October.

It annoys me, I want to check out the new gear.

 

[RootDKJ]

Why do the companies wait so long to update their websites? As of now, only about half of the companies I am interested in have updated their sites with 09/10 gear. Last year Giro Helmets did not update their site till beginning of October.

It annoys me, I want to check out the new gear.

Yeah, I was trying to ballpark some pricing for VT trips and two resorts don't have lift ticket availbility built into their packages yet.

I realize it's August, but still, does it take that much effort?

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

Why do the companies wait so long to update their websites? As of now, only about half of the companies I am interested in have updated their sites with 09/10 gear. Last year Giro Helmets did not update their site till beginning of October.

It annoys me, I want to check out the new gear.

most of the european ski companies (all the majors except K2) have websites that are controlled by the parent company so its not usually in US hands. All those euros have 6 weeks of vacation a year...and some of them are off for a couple weeks in august...the website seems to be one of the things they get to when they get back from "holiday". Not to mention all of them have been cutting lots of staff the past couple of years as the global demand for skis has taken a pretty big hit.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

are there any new advances in technology for 09-10? Hasn't the 09-10 gear been out since late winter?

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

are there any new advances in technology for 09-10? Hasn't the 09-10 gear been out since late winter?

the gear you see in the shops in the fall typically hits the hill in January for all the industry trade events...SIA snow, on snow demos, etc...so yeah, its been "out" since last year, but not in mainstream circulation...limited quantities, limited size runs...and sometimes there are changes made before the manufacturers go into full production.
As for new advances, its mainly further refinements of existiing technologies...mostly evolutionary changes not revolutionary changes. More and more rocker/early rise skis and a wider variety of the amount of rise/rocker...from very slight rise which is hardly noticable until you put the pair together all the way to skis that look like bananas. Blending of rise/rocker and tapered tip/tail with camber and sidecut under the foot...Armada JJ is a great example. Marker schizo binding system...mounts into screw inserts (like a snowboard binding) on select K2 and Volkls and then can be adjusted 3cm to dial in your position on the ski or switch from park to all mountain mounting.
Another push was for an increased value & performance at the middle of the market...$599 and $699 systems with constructions that were $899 a couple years ago.
Every year it just gets better and better...

 

[Philpug]

the gear you see in the shops in the fall typically hits the hill in January for all the industry trade events...SIA snow, on snow demos, etc...so yeah, its been "out" since last year, but not in mainstream circulation...limited quantities, limited size runs...and sometimes there are changes made before the manufacturers go into full production.
As for new advances, its mainly further refinements of existiing technologies...mostly evolutionary changes not revolutionary changes. More and more rocker/early rise skis and a wider variety of the amount of rise/rocker...from very slight rise which is hardly noticable until you put the pair together all the way to skis that look like bananas. Blending of rise/rocker and tapered tip/tail with camber and sidecut under the foot...Armada JJ is a great example. Marker schizo binding system...mounts into screw inserts (like a snowboard binding) on select K2 and Volkls and then can be adjusted 3cm to dial in your position on the ski or switch from park to all mountain mounting.
Another push was for an increased value & performance at the middle of the market...$599 and $699 systems with constructions that were $899 a couple years ago.
Every year it just gets better and better...

Very well put. :beer:

 

[riverc0il]

most of the european ski companies (all the majors except K2) have websites that are controlled by the parent company so its not usually in US hands. All those euros have 6 weeks of vacation a year...and some of them are off for a couple weeks in august...the website seems to be one of the things they get to when they get back from "holiday". Not to mention all of them have been cutting lots of staff the past couple of years as the global demand for skis has taken a pretty big hit.

That makes complete sense. We deal with the Euro holiday in my business quite a bit (I wish we did not have to but such is life). It is really hard being in prime time buying mode when Euros are in prime time relaxing mode. The web site issues speak to that problem. No American corporation would be caught dead with out dated web pages when it is peak marketing season, what with the new gear guides and all. Ski companies with dated information once the gear guides are released are missing free marketing.

the gear you see in the shops in the fall typically hits the hill in January for all the industry trade events...SIA snow, on snow demos, etc...so yeah, its been "out" since last year, but not in mainstream circulation...limited quantities, limited size runs...and sometimes there are changes made before the manufacturers go into full production.
As for new advances, its mainly further refinements of existiing technologies...mostly evolutionary changes not revolutionary changes. More and more rocker/early rise skis and a wider variety of the amount of rise/rocker...from very slight rise which is hardly noticable until you put the pair together all the way to skis that look like bananas. Blending of rise/rocker and tapered tip/tail with camber and sidecut under the foot...Armada JJ is a great example. Marker schizo binding system...mounts into screw inserts (like a snowboard binding) on select K2 and Volkls and then can be adjusted 3cm to dial in your position on the ski or switch from park to all mountain mounting.
Another push was for an increased value & performance at the middle of the market...$599 and $699 systems with constructions that were $899 a couple years ago.
Every year it just gets better and better...

Interesting observation regarding the trickle down on the gear. That is good to see that the tech is getting into value markets. Also, I just noticed the new K2 Coomback had a rocker tip but not a rocker tail. I had no idea this was a new trend. I'll have to give this type of ski a demo this season, seems like it might be a good option for a powder board but without the complete draw backs of the reverse camber stuff.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

QUOTE=Philpug;450432]Very well put. :beer:[/QUOTE]

aw shucks. :razz:

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

Also, I just noticed the new K2 Coomback had a rocker tip but not a rocker tail. I had no idea this was a new trend. I'll have to give this type of ski a demo this season, seems like it might be a good option for a powder board but without the complete draw backs of the reverse camber stuff.

the options available for powder skis can be downright baffling...but they seem to be settling down into some categories that help make it easier to narrow your search so you can demo or just shoot from the hip with some general aim.

 

[Philpug]

Blizzard is up... http://www.blizzardsportusa.com/

 

[RootDKJ]

Stratton and Mount Snow still don't have their web sites updated for 09/10 ski and stay packages....ugh

 

[bigbog]

web-work done...

Why do the companies wait so long to update their websites? As of now, only about half of the companies I am interested in have updated their sites with 09/10 gear. Last year Giro Helmets did not update their site till beginning of October.

It annoys me, I want to check out the new gear.

I have no factual idea, but my guessing is that with the vastness of employment-loyalty(facicious(sp?) humor) of retail management more web work is now done by fewer contract web people than used to be done by more permanent company people....you've got some backlogged work to be done for the retail-world....just a guess...could be 180deg off.
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