Issue No. 66: The Race to Host the Winter Olympics Heats Up 🔥

Hey, Outsiders! The Olympic Games at one point in time at many suitors but currently the games only have two countries bidding for the 2030 Winter Games and Salt Lake is sitting solo with its bid for the 2034 games. Time will tell how it all shakes out but with the Summer Games returning to the US in the Summer 2028, looks like we are bound for a winter version in 2034 unless someone else tosses their hat in the ring. 🎩

Also in today’s issue:

Jackson Hole wants you to ski…in jeans 👖
The future of the Moosejaw Accelerator in Gunnison, CO is up in the air 🌬
With 7-weeks to go - Climate Agencies are already calling it, the hottest year on record 🌡
A new study finds running boasts inflammation fighting cells 🏃🏾
The three amigos - the US, Mexico and Canada team up environmental and conversation efforts 3️⃣
Just in time for Winter - Outside Online Winter Gear Guide is here 🙏

…and a whole lot more.

— Scott Crowder

📢 If you are enjoying how Outsider Insider expands your 🧠 with each issue, we would love it if you would share it with someone. Join us on LinkedIn.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

Bidding for Gold: Switzerland, France, and Salt Lake City in the 2030, 2034 Winter Olympics Race 🏅

The Winter Olympics are a celebration of athletic prowess, international camaraderie, and sporting excellence. As the world anticipates the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, the competition for the hosting rights for the 2030 and 2034 Winter Olympics is heating up, with three formidable contenders vying for the opportunity to showcase their regions on the world stage.

🇨🇭Switzerland's Ambitious Bid: Switzerland, a nation synonymous with pristine Alpine landscapes and winter sports heritage, is stepping up to the plate with an ambitious bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics. The bid, supported by Swiss Olympic and the Swiss government, envisions a grand spectacle that could generate an estimated 1.6 billion Swiss francs (approximately $1.7 billion) in revenue. A significant portion of this income would be reinvested in Swiss sports infrastructure, bolstering the country's position as a winter sports powerhouse.

🇫🇷 France's Charming Approach: The French Alps, renowned for their breathtaking vistas and world-class ski resorts, are at the heart of France's bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics. This bid focuses on the picturesque city of Nice, which would provide a unique blend of coastal charm and mountain grandeur. French officials are emphasizing sustainability and affordability as key pillars of their proposal, aiming to create a Winter Games experience that leaves a lasting legacy and reduces the financial burden often associated with hosting such events.

🇺🇸 Salt Lake City's Return to the Spotlight: Salt Lake City, Utah, is no stranger to the Winter Olympics. The city successfully hosted the Games in 2002 and is eager to return to the international stage in 2034. With existing infrastructure and facilities, Salt Lake City's bid offers a cost-effective and sustainable option for the Games. The bid is supported by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and boasts a legacy of excellence in winter sports, making it a strong contender.

The IOC plans to make the announcement for both the 2030 and 2034 host locations next summer. Bids are due by the end of the month so it is quite likely the competition might just be heating up. 🔥

Business, Industry, & Economy:

🎿 Lindsey Vonn's Brand Partnerships: Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn discusses her brand partnerships and the importance of equity in her business ventures. Vonn's insights shed light on the evolving landscape of athlete-driven brands and their impact on the sports industry.

🚴 Micromobility on the Rise: Shared micromobility services like bike-sharing and scooters are making a recovery after pandemic setbacks. While ridership is rebounding, challenges in infrastructure, safety, and competition remain for these convenient urban transportation options.

🏂 Ski Jeans Discount in Jackson Hole: Jackson Hole Resort introduces a unique "Ski Jeans Day" promotion, encouraging skiers to hit the slopes in jeans and offering discounts for their quirky choice. This innovative marketing approach adds a fun twist to the winter sports experience.

🌄 Cotopaxi's Mission-Driven Branding: Adweek showcases how Cotopaxi's unique mission-centered approach informs its branding strategy. This outdoor gear and apparel company blends business success with social and environmental impact, creating a compelling brand story that resonates with conscious consumers.

🏡 Best Places to Retire: U.S. News & World Report releases its annual ranking of the best places to retire and guess what…it isn’t Florida. This guide provides valuable insights for retirees seeking their ideal location to enjoy their golden years and Pennsylvania has a good showing.

🏘️ Airbnb Ban's Housing Impact: A study reveals that banning Airbnb in Irvine, California, has led to a drop in rents and housing prices. This development sheds light on the complex relationship between short-term rentals and the housing market in various communities.

🏞️ Gunnison Valley's Outdoor Business Accelerator Uncertainty: The future of the Moosejaw Outdoor Accelerator, a nationally recognized business incubator supporting the outdoor industry in Gunnison Valley, is uncertain. The accelerator program, hosted by the ICELab and sponsored by Moosejaw, has boosted the local business community's visibility but faces potential changes after Moosejaw's ownership shift and store closures. While the program's return in 2024 remains uncertain, Gunnison Valley explores other opportunities, including collaborations with the state's Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and funding summits to support outdoor startups.

🏞️ Yeti's Trail Mapping: Yeti is teaming up with Google Street View to map hiking trails. This innovative initiative aims to provide outdoor enthusiasts with an immersive online trail experience, enhancing their outdoor adventures.

📚 UNE's Outdoor Business Major: The University of New England (UNE) is launching an undergraduate major in Outdoor Business and Innovation. This program prepares students for careers in the outdoor industry, offering a unique blend of business and outdoor education.

🌟 Rhone's Entrepreneurial Journey: The founders of Rhone, a men's activewear brand, share their story of buying out investors and regaining control of their company. This move allowed them to steer the brand in a new direction, highlighting the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.

SPONSORED BY LIFTOPIA

🏂🌨️ Hit the Slopes with Liftopia! 🏔️❄️

Winter enthusiasts, rejoice! Ski season is here, and Liftopia has your pass to adventure. With slopes opening across the country, now is the time to gear up and hit the mountains.

🎿 🚡 Liftopia is your go-to source for ski passes, tickets, and mountain experiences. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a snow bunny just starting, Liftopia offers exclusive deals and discounts on lift tickets and rentals at top resorts nationwide.

🏔️ Why Choose Liftopia? ⛷️

Savings Galore: Say goodbye to full-price lift tickets! Liftopia brings you discounted rates, ensuring your ski days don't break the bank.
Easy Booking: Planning your mountain getaway is a breeze with Liftopia's user-friendly platform. Browse, book, and hit the slopes in no time.
Epic Destinations: Explore a diverse range of ski resorts, from iconic mountains to hidden gems. With Liftopia, your winter playground knows no bounds.
No Hidden Fees: Liftopia's transparent pricing means no surprises at checkout. What you see is what you get – honest and straightforward.
Flexible Options: Whether you're planning a solo adventure or a family ski trip, Liftopia offers options to suit every style and budget.

🌨️ Don't Miss Out on the Powder! Ski season waits for no one, and Liftopia ensures you make the most of it. Grab your gear, embrace the chill, and carve your way through fresh powder. Your winter wonderland adventure starts here.

Visit Liftopia today and get ready to shred the slopes with unbeatable deals and unforgettable experiences.

Sustainability, Conservation, & Environment:

🚗 Electric Car Era Requires Large Trees: The Wall Street Journal reports that the electric car era demands the cultivation of large trees. These trees can sequester carbon emissions and provide essential raw materials for electric vehicles, emphasizing the interconnectedness of sustainable transportation and forestry.

🏝️ Cleaning Up Texas' Coastal Junk: Fast Company explores the potential of removing 76 million tons of debris off the coast of Texas to benefit the environment. This initiative aims to address pollution issues while fostering environmental sustainability.

🌍 Uniting for a Nature-Positive World: The "It's Now for Nature" campaign is a global initiative urging businesses to take action in support of a nature-positive world by 2030. This includes achieving net-zero emissions, promoting nature-positive practices, and ensuring equity in environmental efforts.

🌱 Empowering Change in Circular Fashion: One Percent for the Planet highlights nine environmental organizations making a difference in the circular fashion economy. These organizations are working towards sustainable and eco-friendly fashion practices, promoting long-term change for a greener future.

🌳 Farmers Restoring Forests in Mississippi Valley: Farmers in the Mississippi Valley are being compensated for restoring 3,000 acres of forest. This initiative, featured in Fast Company, showcases the value of sustainable land use practices in combating deforestation and climate change.

🌡️ 2023: Warmest Year Ever Recorded: CBS News highlights that 2023 has become the warmest year ever recorded, according to climate agencies. This alarming report underscores the urgent need for global climate action to address the escalating impacts of climate change.

Health, Wellness, & Fitness:

💪 CEO Dean Kelly of Gainful Shares Insights: Dean Kelly, the CEO of Gainful, provides an exclusive interview in Athletech News. Gainful is a company specializing in personalized nutrition, and Dean discusses the brand's mission, the importance of personalization in nutrition, and the role of technology in their approach.

🏃‍♀️ Running Boosts Inflammation-Fighting Cells: A study featured in Running Magazine reveals that running can enhance inflammation-fighting cells, potentially improving athletic performance. This research sheds light on the positive impact of running on the body's immune response.

🪑 The Health Risks of Prolonged Sitting: An opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times highlights the health risks associated with prolonged sitting and excessive screen time. The article discusses the links between sedentary behavior, chronic health conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and the importance of regular exercise for overall well-being.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:

There Is Snow On The Ground which is the Arapaho translation of the word heniiniini' 📸 winterparkresort.com

❄️ Winter Park Resort Partners with Native Skiers and Artists: Winter Park Resort in Colorado collaborates with Native skiers and artists to honor the deep connection between people and the natural world, particularly snow, water, and land. This partnership with Indigenous artists and NativesOutdoors highlights the significance of respecting and preserving the environment while honoring the land and its native inhabitants.

🌿 Meet Ken Lucero: Indigenous Lands Director: The Trust for Public Land (TPL) introduces Ken Lucero, who serves as the Indigenous Lands Director. Ken's work focuses on preserving and protecting indigenous lands, promoting environmental conservation, and fostering cultural connections with nature.

🏞️ REI Re-embraces Its Mission: REI reaffirms its mission to help people of all backgrounds spend more time in the great outdoors. This commitment reflects the company's dedication to making outdoor activities and experiences accessible to everyone.

📖 Conservation and Belonging in the Outdoors: The Writing for Change Journal unveils its new collection, exploring the themes of conservation and belonging in the outdoors. This initiative encourages individuals to share their thoughts and stories related to nature and environmental stewardship.

Government, Grants, & Policy:

💡 Gorp Secures $1.2 Million Federal Grant: Exciting news for the University of Arkansas’s Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP) as they receive a substantial federal grant of $1.2 million to scale their incubator program. This grant will enable GORP to further support and nurture startups and entrepreneurs in the outdoor industry, fostering innovation and growth within the sector.

🇨🇦 Land Acquisition Announcement in British Columbia! British Columbia has acquired additional land, expanding its commitment to conservation and outdoor recreation. This move highlights the province's dedication to preserving natural spaces and providing more opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to connect with nature.

🏞️ LWCF Statement on ORLP Announcement: The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has released a statement regarding the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) announcement. This program supports developing and enhancing outdoor recreational spaces in communities, promoting access to nature and fostering a love for the outdoors among the public.

🇺🇸🇲🇽🇨🇦 Trilateral Collaboration Agreement Signed: The US Department of the Interior has signed an agreement with Mexico and Canada to continue trilateral collaboration on various environmental and conservation efforts. This partnership aims to strengthen conservation efforts, protect biodiversity, and address shared challenges in North America, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in preserving our natural resources.

🏞️ Expanding the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument: The Biden administration is taking steps to expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, and top officials are seeking public input on this significant endeavor. This move underscores the commitment to conserving and enhancing the natural beauty and recreational opportunities in the region, engaging the community in shaping the future of this national treasure.

Travel, Tourism, & Hospitality:

❄️ Best Ski Towns in the US for Winter Adventures: If you're a winter enthusiast, TheTravel.com has a list of must-visit ski towns in the US. From iconic destinations to hidden gems, these towns offer everything from thrilling slopes to cozy apres-ski atmospheres. Get ready to embrace the winter wonderland and create unforgettable memories in these delightful ski towns.

Products, Gear, & Gadgets:

📽 The Blackcountry Journal: Mallory Duncan's unconventional ski film, "The Blackcountry Journal," combines backcountry freeskiing and jazz, exploring the complexities of race in the predominantly white ski industry through a monochrome lens and a unique storytelling structure.

🎿 Explore Winter Gear Trends: Get ready for the winter season with Outside Online's Winter Gear Guide for 2024, featuring the latest trends and essentials for an epic time on the slopes.

🥾 Trendy Glenclyffe Boots for Winter Adventures: Step into the great outdoors with confidence in The North Face x Undercover SOUKUU Glenclyffe Boots, a stylish collaboration designed to tackle any terrain. Inspired by nature's calm confidence and fashion's chaos, these boots feature Vibram XS trek outsoles for top-notch traction and a secure lacing system to keep you firmly grounded on your favorite trails.

If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here.