Vibram announced the opening of its new office in Portland, OR. In doing so, Vibram announced several new positions including a dedicated sales, design and development team to support existing clients based in the Northwest and to serve new business opportunities throughout the West.
Category: Outdoor

OBIT: Buff Founder Joan Rojas Mas
Joan Rojas Mas, the founder of the Buff died of cancer on January 7. He was 71 years old.
Colorado Ski Country USA Announces First-Period Skier Visits Down 13 Percent
Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) announced that skier visits at its 23-member resorts were down 13 percent compared to the first period of the 2016-17 season.
Big Rock Sports Announces Nashville Show
Big Rock Sports LLC announced that the outdoor distributor will consolidate its annual January shows into one industry-leading event next year in Nashville, TN.
Garmont Finds Equity Partner
Garmont International Srl, the maker of performance footwear brand for mountaineering, hiking and other outdoor pursuits, announced that Wayne Edy has become a partner in the share capital of the company.

DMOS Collective Raises Funding
DMOS Collective, the Jackson Hole, WY-based maker of snow shovels for ski and snowboard athletes, announced a Series A investment from Astia Angels, a global investment community investing exclusively in women-led ventures.
Mammut Signs Sierra Blair-Coyle
Mammut signed Sierra Blair-Coyle, an elite climber, to its ambassador team.
OARS To Premium Film Return from Desolation
The film, from award-winning director Justin Clifton, and supported by YETI, Chaco, NRS, and Sierra Club, will premiere at the 2018 Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City, California on January 13.
Icebreaker Renews Partnership With Whistler Blackcomb
The partnership with Whistler Blackcomb names Icebreaker as an Official Sponsor of the resort and exclusive provider for merino wool, base layers and ski socks.
CamelBak PURSUIT Series Announces New Locations And Dates For 2018
The Outbound’s CamelBak PURSUIT Series has three events planned for Reveille Peak Ranch, TX; Hunter Mountain, NY; and Bear Valley, NC.
Former Black Diamond Equipment Business Leaders Launch Reasonworx
Robert Fry and Jeff Roche, both former executives at Black Diamond Equipment, have launched Reasonworx, a new type of business development collective.

NRF: Holiday Sales Grew 5.5 Percent
Holiday sales during November and December increased 5.5 percent over the same period in 2016 to $691.9 billion as growing wages, stronger employment and higher confidence led consumers to spend more than had been expected, the National Retail Federation said.

Aisle Talk, Week Of January 8
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.
Sam’s Club To Close 63 Locations
The company will convert up to 12 of the impacted clubs to eCommerce fulfillment centers in a move that will speed delivery of online orders, with the balance of the facilities closing over the next few weeks.

Vail Resorts Sees Challenging Start To Ski Season
Vail Resorts Inc. reported season-to-date total skier visits for the company’s North American mountain resorts were down 10.8 percent compared to the prior year season-to-date period, impacted by low snow levels in the western regions.