The point of the OR show, ostensibly, is for gear manufacturers to show off their goods, and for retailers to place their orders for upcoming seasons. For us bottom-feeder media/athlete/self-promoter types, the point is to wander around looking for schmooze targets, text each other about the night’s parties and how to score tickets, collect Grade-A swag (Grade B being breath mints, lip balm, T-shirts, and water bottles, strictly for amateurs), spray about the day’s “meetings,” the sick trips you’re going to take this year, and the super-promising meeting you just had with the TNF/Patagonia/Mountain Hardwear marketing folks who are totally down with paying for all the sick trips you’re going to take this year, and to wait for 5 o’clock.
That’s when all the booths pull out their kegs for the daily OR happy hour. That’s when the show gets fun, and according to longheld OR stereotypes, when deals really get done.
I’m happy to say that longtime Snaz supporter Cloudveil stepped it up this year, reviving the old Jackson Hole Air Force tradition of Gelande Quaffing (which is explained and demonstrated in the video above). It was a clever way to promote “Swift, Silent, Deep,” the Jackson Hole Air Force movie that Cloudveil is sponsoring, and that’s currently in production under the helm of John Klaczkiewicz. Judging from the crowds, the Quaffing contest was a huge success (with the team from Mountain Khakis taking home the prize). Here’s hoping Cloudveil’s rivals follow suit next year, with their own drinking games. I wouldn’t mind playing some drunken twister at the Prana booth.
Also, JK and Cloudveil are going to host the “World Championships” for Gelande Quaffing at this winter’s Powder Week at the Village. More details to come.
And Spyder just bought Cloudveil, was this a pre-party?