(PARK CITY, UTAH - Sep. 28, 2023) – U.S. Ski & Snowboard has been selected as the recipient of the esteemed Jake Burton Award by Protect Our Winters (POW). The award, won previously by companies like Burton, Strava, New Belgium and more, was presented to U.S. Ski & Snowboard at POW's Leadership Summit in Reno, Nevada in September. 

Named in honor of snowboarding legend Jake Burton, the Jake Burton Award recognizes partners who have demonstrated leading the charge in creating cultural shifts needed to take on climate as a community. The criteria for the award include influencing the cultural shift through brand platforms, a willingness to challenge the status quo and integrating climate action into the DNA of the brand.

“Jake Burton’s passion and dedication built a movement in snow sports. He challenged the status quo every step of the way paving the path for a new sport, lowering barriers to entry and instilling the ethos that we should preserve the outdoors for all future generations,” said Torrey Udall, Executive Director of POW. “This year, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team honored Jake’s legacy by bringing the urgency of climate to the forefront and using its voice and influence to affect change. We are grateful to U.S. Ski & Snowboard for their partnership, collaboration and dedication.”

POW nominated U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Aspen Snowmass for their collaborative efforts at the Stifel America’s Downhill at Aspen, at which the organization and resort worked to champion sustainable practices and environmental responsibility, and the 2023 FIS World Alpine Ski Championships. U.S. Ski & Snowboard collaborated with POW and Kappa to create climate change-themed alpine race suits for the World Championships, designed to bring attention to the melting glaciers around the world. The suits were worn on the sport's biggest stage by the sport's biggest stars to show the organization’s commitment to furthering the fight against climate change. 

"We are deeply honored to receive the Jake Burton Award from POW," said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. "This recognition reaffirms our dedication to mitigating climate change's impact on our winter sports and we look forward to continuing our efforts, knowing there is still so much more we could do."

This recognition reiterates U.S. Ski & Snowboard's commitment to combating climate change and protecting our winter playgrounds. U.S. Ski & Snowboard and POW will continue to collaborate on initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and raise awareness about the urgent need for climate action within the winter sports community and beyond. 

For the seventh year, Ron Kruszewski, who serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Stifel Financial Corp. and a trustee of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, hosted his annual U.S. Ski & Snowboard fundraiser. The event broke records, raising over $1 million.

This year's theme was "Mikaela's Roadhouse," designed to celebrate Mikaela Shiffrin's record-setting 88 World Cup wins, complete with Route 88 signs throughout the venue.

It was a star-studded night with country sensation Dierks Bentley as the night’s primary entertainer alongside Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team athlete and two-time Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin and 2022 world champion Hanna Faulhaber and two-time Olympic medalist Alex Ferreira, both of the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team. Many key St. Louis sports figures were in attendance, including Blues, Cubs and Cardinals players.

“Thank you so much,” said Stifel U.S. Freeski Team athlete Hanna Faulhaber “The St. Louis event was a blast and I know the team is incredibly grateful for the support.”

Mikaela Shiffrin also thanking the St. Louis community for showing up to the event in her recent post, "Thank you to the St. Louis community for showing up once again," said Shiffrin "The event was just so much fun and I’m excited we were able to raise so much money for all sports and disciplines at U.S. Ski & Snowboard!"

One highlight of the evening included Shiffrin joining Bentley on stage for a surprise performance in front of U.S. Ski & Snowboard trustees and guests.

The event, hosted by Kruszewski and Amanda Perkins, along with support by U.S. Ski & Snowboard partner Textron Aviation, has quickly become one of the organization's largest fundraisers. Trustees, long-time supporters and guests were in attendance to break the all-time fundraising record at this event, with all proceeds directly benefiting the U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes as they begin their 2023-24 competition season. 

(PARK CITY, UTAH OR SAN DIEGO, CA – August 30, 2023) – U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Knockaround Sunglasses officially announce a partnership through 2026. As part of the partnership, Knockaround has exclusive selling rights of sunglasses and goggles at seven key events throughout the season for the next three years.

“We are immensely proud for Knockaround Sunglasses to launch into the snow spotlight as the official sunglasses and snow goggles partner of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team,” said Jeffrey R. Hennion, CEO of Knockaround. “Just as their athletes relentlessly pursue excellence on the slopes, Knockaround is dedicated to crafting eyewear that meets the highest standards of quality and style. Together, we’re setting our sights on a brighter, snow-capped future.”

As the official sunglasses and goggles sponsor of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Knockaround will be creating specially designed U.S. Ski & Snowboard eyewear and will be on site during the following 2023-24 events: Stifel Killington Cup, both Toyota Grand Prix events at Copper and Mammoth, the Visa Big Air presented by Toyota at Copper, the Intermountain Health Freestyle International at Deer Valley, Waterville Valley Freestyle World Cup, the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup and the Stifel Aspen Winternational presented by United. Aggregate Sports aided in brokering the partnership.

“We are very excited to have Knockaround on board for the next three years,” said Trisha Worthington, Chief Revenue & Philanthropy Officer of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “They are a brand that matches the personality of not only our teams, but our passionate fans too.”

The partnership will bring forward fashionable, high-quality UV protection and optimal vision products to a community of athletes and fans that seek out functional gear for all their activities, on and off the mountain.

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About Knockaround
Knockaround is the original, affordable sunglasses company from San Diego, founded by Adam "Ace" Moyer in 2005. Centered around durable shades that are both practical and stylish, Knockaround provides high-quality sunglasses that won't break the bank. Knockaround has grown to offer numerous different frame styles in a wide range of colors as well as ongoing Limited Edition special releases, collaborations, and an interactive "design your own" custom sunglasses shop. Knockaround Sunglasses have been featured in GQ, US Weekly, and The Today Show, and have been worn by countless celebrities including Matthew McConaughey, John Mayer, Natalie Portman, Snoop Dogg, and John Legend. For more information, visit https://knockaround.com/

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders in 2023, competing in ten teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, snowboard, nordic combined, Para snowboard, Para alpine, and ski jumping. In addition to the fully-funded elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers, and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success, and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

U.S. Ski & Snowboard
Leann Bentley
Communications Manager
leann.bentley@usskiandsnowboard.org 

Knockaround
Francisco Zambrano
Francisco@knockaround.com   
 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today the first snowboard title partnership in history with Hydro Flask, an award-winning leader in high-performance, insulated stainless steel flasks and soft goods innovations and a Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ: HELE) brand, officially naming the team the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team. 

The Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team includes athletes such as two-time Olympic champion Chloe Kim, the most decorated snowboard cross athlete of all time and two-time Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Jacobellis, and X Games champion and FIS Crystal Globe winner Dusty Henricksen. 

“I’m super excited about Hydro Flask coming on board as the title partner of the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team,” said Chloe Kim, two-time Olympic gold medalist and Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team member. “This type of support is so important for our sport. The future of snowboarding looks very bright!”

“We are delighted to have Hydro Flask on board as the new title partner of the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “This is the most significant partnership we’ve ever had for the snowboard team and also the perfect brand alignment. We are excited to work together and further support our incredible snowboard athletes.”

The partnership will bring additional financial and marketing support to the snowboard program over the next three years, extending through the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. This groundbreaking partnership unites two brands that hold mutual values, including a passion for the outdoors, a commitment to sustainability and a strong sense of community.  

“We are thrilled to be a part of the U.S. Snowboard Team. These athletes are creative and passionate, bringing an unrivaled level of energy to the outdoors, which we love to see,” said Larry Witt, President of Helen of Troy’s Home & Outdoor segment. ”With a shared dedication to style and performance, we are excited to help support and hydrate this talented group of individuals as they begin their journey toward the 2026 Winter Olympics."

“I’m stoked on this partnership with Hydro Flask,” said Dusty Henricksen, X Games champion and Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team athlete. “It’s a great brand and a great fit for our team. I’m hyped for all of the athletes, and for the sport in general.”

Hydro Flask’s title sponsorship broadens a pre-existing partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard. The brand has been a named supplier to the team since 2019 and produced co-branded bottles and gear throughout the last four years. 

Expanding beyond the title partnership, Hydro Flask will also take on the role of associate partner at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix events held at Copper Mountain, Colorado and Mammoth Mountain, California. Additionally, Hydro Flask will be involved in the Visa Big Air event taking place in Copper Mountain, Colorado.

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About Hydro Flask 

Hydro Flask® is the leader in high-performance insulated products that help people enjoy the things they love to do in the places they love to be. From the number one-selling water bottle* to soft goods innovations like the Day Escape™ Soft Coolers to the Outdoor Kitchen dining collection, Hydro Flask’s delightfully simple designs and go-anywhere durability delivers the perfect temperature when you need it. Founded in 2009 in Bend, Oregon, Hydro Flask inspires active outdoor lives with two simple words: Let’s Go! Its giving program, Parks For All, supports nonprofit organizations focused on building, maintaining, restoring, and investing in public green spaces so people everywhere can live healthier, happier, and more fulfilled lives. To learn more about Hydro Flask, Parks For All, and to see the full lineup of award-winning products, visit  www.hydroflask.com.

*According to third-party data

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders in 2023, competing in ten teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, snowboard, nordic combined, para snowboard, para alpine, and ski jumping. In addition to the fully-funded elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers, and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success, and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

U.S. Ski & Snowboard
Courtney Harkins
Director, Marketing & Communications
courtney.harkins@usskiandsnowboard.org

Hydro Flask
TURNER PR
hydroflask@turnerpr.com
212-889-1700