Issue No. 3: SNOW BIG DEAL - no it is a big deal
Hey Outsiders! Thanks for subscribing to Outsider Insider and for opening up Issue No. 3 of 2023. We have a jammed-packed newsletter below and to improve the ease of reading, you’ll find content and links organized with some nifty new headers. You are welcome! 👊
In this week’s edition:
sNOw Industry ❄️
Strava trips 🏃♀️
And so much more…
— Scott Crowder
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⛷Snow Industry vs No Industry🏂
It seems to be the case each winter within the ski industry where two distinct groups are formed, the haves and the have-nots. This season is no different and for those in the have-not category, it may seem like the worst one yet. Some resorts in the eastern United States and Canada as well as across the pond in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand are facing one of the warmest winters on record. In Switzerland, some alpine villages are facing what some call an identity crisis. The ski industry has come a long way in the snow-making department to combat being 100% reliant on mother nature to provide the white stuff. Outfitting their mountains with pipes and snow guns to cover their trails whenever temperatures allow. Snowmaking is helping but even this is dependent on cold temps and resorts are becoming increasingly more aware of the snow-eating capabilities of rain.
Feast or Famine - while some are struggling, others are flying high. Resorts in California and Utah top the list of the nine mountains with the most snowfall totals to date in North America. The top 3 on the list have the most recorded snowfall in the world. 🤯
For those who have it, we say go enjoy it. For those who don’t, here is a list of the top ski movies of 2022/23.
Strava Stumbles
For the outdoor industry, Strava might be the go-to activity tracker. Riding the pandemic push, Strava doubled its platform size to over 100M+ global users in two years, reaching a recent valuation of over $1B+. Strava tripped on a tree root this week with its first price hike in over ten years. Many users were confused or unaware of the price hikes but discovered them in the app store or on their monthly statements. The pricing model appears to be convoluted but once explained makes sense (sort of). Strava pricing depends on region, monthly or annual subscriptions, and how long a member has been a premium customer.
Some users saw their prices double. The price hikes coincide with other cost savings strategies at the company. Just last month, Strava reduced its staff by roughly 15%. One might question the communication and optics of the price rollout but as purse strings tightened due to recession fears the timing of the rollout may also prove to be unfortunate for Strava. Time will tell if the strength of the platform and its loyal following will allow it to ride through this unscathed.
Business:
🌏 1% for the Planet adds 27 new members during December
Startup Climeworks successfully removes carbon from the air and stores it in the ground.
🏃🏽♂️ Trail running and outdoor specialty road running experienced double-digit growth and has fueled a boom for retailers
Workers at REI in Cleveland have filed to Unionize following a trend seen at REI, Amazon, Starbucks, Trader Joe’s, and other retailers.
🔒Time to dust off the lock - Vail Resorts is encouraging visitors to register their equipment as part of a theft prevention campaign.
🏔Mountain Capital Partners adds mountain in Chile to its portfolio
👕 battling microplastics in clothes - Patagonia and Samsung team up on a washing machine to collect microplastics
🌳 Living Carbon raises $21 million to accelerate efforts to remove global emissions.
Startup Mill launches a new take on the kitchen trash can to collect food waste and properly compost it.
Pro athletes Joe Burrow and Blake Griffin head up a group of 25 athletes and Patricof Co to purchase the first farm in a series of investments in the agricultural space.
Need a side hustle? - here are 8 sustainable side hustles to put some extra green in your pockets.
🔫 Remington Ammo has been resurrected as a separate entity from the firearm brand.
Aspen Skiing company sets ambitious carbon targets, and plans to invest an incremental $5 million to reach a 77% reduction by 2030
Health and fitness:
Are you as fit as a pro skier and rider? Check out these five drills 💪
Study reveals the impact of heat on outdoor activity in China - temps over 95 F reduce activity by 13% - in a warming world this is a scary trend.
🍂 Nature may replace medications - a new study shows the benefit of outdoor activity in reducing the need for prescriptions for mental health, asthma, and blood pressure.
Well + Good layout wellness trends for 2023
🧠 Mountain Mental Health Tips include finding mentors and forming a board of directors - check out all 5 suggestions.
Different Rooute in Nova Scotia and Nelson Holland in CO are working to get more people of color outside
Sustainability & Environment:
Oil boss tapped to lead Climate Summit - COP28
Ball Corporation might have just replaced the plastic cup at sporting events and in doing so recognized for sustainability efforts.
https://www.environmentalleader.com/2023/01/ceo-study-rethinking-esg-sustainability-initiatives-to-achieve-net-zero-emissions-by-2050/
🥕 Sustainability messaging on Menus? Yes, it is a successful way to get more diners to eat plant-based.
Planet Tracker gives you the tools to spot Greenwashing.
Conservation:
Netflix show supports conservation projects in Montana.
Your conservation and environment reading list just got an upgrade - check out the 10 top books from 2022.
About DAM TIME - after a 50-year effort four dams are set to be removed.
Sports:
🗻 POWDR announces return to Killington for 2023 World Cup stop.
Stifel, a Missouri-based wealth management and investment banking company extended sponsorship deal with US Ski and Snowboard
Tourism/Hospitality:
🛳 Disney Adventure Cruises announce its cruise schedule which includes Adriatic Sea, Antarctica, Patagonia, Galapagos, and more!
😥 Outside Online author suggests more compassion from the outdoor community when tragedy strikes.
Heartland Forward lists the top 25 Micropolitan Areas and four mountain towns in CO make the list.
🎿 The ski state you wouldn’t expect - Michigan
🌞 Sundance Film Festival returns after two years of being virtual
Gear:
🦈 Outdoor skincare company Kinfield swims with the Sharks and lands investment for their clean bug spray and sunblock lines.
Safeback Avalanche Gear releases a product that pulls O2 out of snow to give those trapped in an avalanche potentially an additional 90 minutes of oxygen.
Patagonia vs The North Face - who wins in a sustainability battle?
Swiss Sportswear brand ON produces running shoes that leave almost no footprint - an environmental footprint that is.
🏄♂️ Everything you ever wanted to know about the history of the boardshorts!
🎒 Did Yeti just kill the backpack?
VF Corp - Jansport releases adaptive collection.
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