Live from the SIA Snow Show

I'm spending this week covering the SIA Snow Show—THE ski industry trade show in Denver, Colo., and as day one winds to a close, I've already learned a lot.

• The snowsports industry hit a record $1 billion in sales for December and is forecasting $3.3 billion for the year. Inventories have sold through so heavily at retail that Rossi, Atomic and other brands are actually selling shops next season's skis now.
• Manufacturers dealt with headache-inducing shipping delays last year because factories in Asia had severe labor shortages. Consequently all the manufacturers delivered at least some products late to retailers. Retailers were mad.
• This has been an incredible snow year so far for Colorado. Granted that's not news to you if you've been hitting any of the amazing href="http://www.snow.com/?intcmp=BZ000003" target="_blank">Vail Resorts. But in his kickoff remarks this morning, Colorado governor John Hickenlooper lauded mother nature for bringing on the dumps. Hear, hear!
• Fashion trends for next year are going to use more muted colors, a lot of full-body white, and animal prints. Nature, meet body.

It's cool to be here for the sake of realizing how much of a business skiing is to our fair state. I love skiing for the adrenaline, fresh air, and weightlessness it affords me. A few days here at the show, though, and I'm grateful to the sport for the employment it provides. Yes, that makes me sound old, but it's true. You read too many prognoses of the stagnation of skiing. If this show's any indication, the future is looking bright.

-- Rachel Walker