Takes One to Know One

Its true, especially in the world of outdoor industry PR. Here in Jackson we have at least five public relations firms, and that number is growing by the minute. Whether it be our love of press releases, our obsession with new media strategies or our generally goofy demeanor, we all tend to share a common bond and actually happen to spend quite a bit of time together outside of the office. Whether this is a good decision or not I am still not sure…

Yesterday I took the afternoon off to enjoy Jackson Hole’s famous Gaper Day, where we trade in all of the innovative and technical gear from our fantastic clients and instead we break out our wigs, one-pieces, jeans, rear-entry boots and skinny skis. Also, blowing around on the lift, in freezing temperatures, in a retro ski jacket lined with what seems to be cotton balls, is also a great reminder of how far ski apparel has come. Although, I have to say the fanny pack is actually so practical.. not sure what happened there.

I met up with a team of Jackson PR all stars at the top of Thunder Bumps to do some unnecessary jump turns, some aggressive pole planting, a few spread eagles and uh um, talk PR of course. Joining me are Kristan Clarke of Rendezvous Event Management, Don Watkins and Alli Noland of Terra PR and Lauren Parker of Verde.

Check out the apres scene at Jackson Hole’s Nick Wilsons post lift-closing. Whether it reminds you of the first Warren Miller films, the classic Hot Dog, or this season’s Hot Tub Time Machine, one thing is for certain…its glorious.

If you haven’t broken out the one-piece yet this season, good ole Warren Miller and I have one thing to say about that….”If you don’t do it this year, you’ll be another year older when you do.”

Hot Tub Time Machine

If you’ve been watching the Olympics coverage (if you can call it that) on NBC, you might have seen the previews for Hot Tub Time Machine. Almost two years ago we got a call from a production assistant at MGM asking permission to use vintage Kästle skis in the movie. At the time, we could hardly believe this was a real movie, but the paperwork looked legit and there were some big names associated with the film (John Cusack, Chevy Chase)…so what the hell, right?

Fast forward (or time travel in this case) to 2010 and the movie hits theaters on March 26.

Despite the premise, this actually looks pretty damn funny. “Twitagra?” Awesome.

A bulk of the movie apparently takes place in an 80’s ski resort and the trailer includes some gratuitous shots of neon one-piece suits. At the least we’re hoping for a few shots of some sweet retro Kästle skis. In a dream scenario, we’ll see a Lane Meyer-esque ski scene down the K12. “Go that way really fast. If something gets in your way…turn.”

In related movie news, we were also just contacted by a producer looking for gear to use on the set of 127 Hours, a movie about Aaron Ralston starring James Franco….not sure what to think of that one.