Recent storm drops 5 feet of snow!!!

You probably already know this - but Hunter Mtn has reported over 5 feet of snow in the last 3 days from the recent storms that have swept through the area. In fact, all of our local Ski Areas have been hammered with snow and this should set up for an amazing weekend to ski & ride. Go out and find some fresh pow! (Photo from Hunter Mtn)

Posted by Kyle Potter on February 26th @ 2:30pm (from PB-Kingston)

Conditions are great - so go Ski or Ride!

The weather finally delivered with some significant snowfall on Tuesday Feb 16th 2010. All local ski areas are reporting snowfall amounts between 7-10 inches of FRESH, NEW SNOW!! This is great news and will help keep the season alive as we head down the stretch run of the season.

Reminder: This Sunday (Feb 21st) is a Potter Brothers Triple-Play Flex Day to Belleayre Mountain, Jiminy Peak and Plattekill. Don't miss out on the great savings - and the great skiing & riding.

Posted by Kyle Potter on February 17th @ 2:30pm (from PB-Kingston)

Hundreds of new helmets arriving this week:

It's been a crazy season in the world of helmets. Fortunately, more and more people are realizing the importance of protecting their noggin when they're on their skis or snowboard. However, this demand has left a serious hole in our helmet selection. So, we've recently ordered over 900 helmets from brands such as Giro, Smith & RED to help reload our inventory.

If you're not currently wearing a helmet - or if you're looking for an upgrade, visit Potter Brothers during this coming weeks and check out the amazing selection of helmets we'll have for you!!!

Posted by Kyle Potter on January 10th @ 3:30pm (from PB-Kingston)

Lange is looking for local girls:

In its on-going effort to identify and celebrate some of the most dynamic, outgoing, inspiring women athletes on skis, Lange announces the launch of the 2009/2010 Local Lange Girl Contest with Freeskier Magazine!

Last year more than 80 women entered the contest, posting hundreds of photos that racked up nearly a million views. Lange chose four regional winners from both coasts and the mountains between, to represent the company at on-snow events. Each winner scored a Lange gear sponsorship, and Amanda Jean, the national winner, was featured in a pull-out poster in Freeskier Buyer’s Guide. "Lange Girls are a staple in the ski world and to be a part of it is amazing and empowering. This has been a ton of fun and I am psyched to being this amazing adventure!" says last years National and West Coast regional winner, Amanda Jean. Last year was just a warm-up. This year, the contest is back and bigger than ever.

Freeskier and Lange will select up to four women to become Local Lange Girls and represent Lange at regional events. All regional winners will make out with some Lange and Freeskier schwag. The national winner will also get print coverage in Freeskier magazine.

"The Local Lange Girl program was designed to find a few strong women who would inspire others to have more fun with their skiing and, hopefully, with life in general," explains Tait Wardlaw, Lange's VP, Brand and Sports Marketing.

Lange is looking for girls who are outgoing enough to represent the brand, ripping enough to get around any ski area, and sexy enough to keep the Lange Girl tradition going strong. We're not looking for models, we're looking for ripping ski town hotties who can talk the talk and walk the walk.

Entries will be accepted through January 15. Go to Freeskier.com for more information and to check out the entries so far!

Posted by Kyle Potter on December 6th @3:11am (from PB-Kingston)

Today is OPENING DAY at Belleayre:

They made the call at about 6:55am this morning - Belleayre Mountain is OPEN TODAY December 6th 2009. According to their website, 5 inches of new snow fell last night and they are still making snow this morning. Lift Tickets are $25.00 at the Mountain ticket windows. Temps are chilly, so dress warm and get excited to ski and snowboard. Learn more at http://www.belleayre.com/

Posted by Kyle Potter on December 6th @7:11am (from my kitchen)

More K2 Skis are here:

Potter Brothers just made a nice purchase of K2 Skis to help beef-up our ski wall for the Holiday rush. Take a look at some of the awesome all-mountain skis we just added:

Men's All-Mountain:

• K2 RECON - one of our all-time favorites, the Recon is the ultimate 50-50 ski for expert skiers. It rips on groomers and floats in powder and crud. A 78mm waist makes it super versatile and fun.
  
  
• K2 INTERCEPTOR - at 84mm under foot, the Interceptor provides supreme balanace and power is all snow conditions. No metal - makes it more lively and playful than other skis at 84mm. A fun all-mountain ski for advanced skiers.
  
  
• K2 RANGER - the Ranger is a smooth ski for intermediate skiers who want value and performance. If you're an intermediate skier, you can't go wrong here.

Women's All-Mountain:

• K2 BURNIN LUV - considered by many to be the premier ladies ski on the market, the Burnin Luv is a sidewall ski with a metal laminate. Expert skiers will appreciate it's power and precision all over the mountain.
  
  
• K2 FREE LUV - the Free Luv is a new ski from K2 this year and it's could be one of the most versatile. At 76mm under foot it's a great ski for advanced skiers who want comfort on all terrain.
  
  
• K2 TRUE LUV - for recreational to intermediate skiers, the True Luv is very forgiving and easy to ski. It loves to make smoot turns at moderate speeds.

Twin-Tip Skis:

• K2 SILENCER - The Silencer is an all-terrain ski that can handle the whole mountain as well as it does the park. At 80mm under foot it's nice and snappy for pop off jumps or riding pipe.
  
  
• K2 JUVY - the Juvy is a true twin engineered with the proper flex, dimensions, size and swingweight to welcome hard charging groms to take their skiing to the next level.

Check out these K2 Skis available now at Potter Brothers City Stores.

Posted by Kyle Potter on November 30th @8:30am (while waiting for it to snow)

Top 10 Snow Day Superstitions:

So, while we wait for Mother Nature to help us out with some SNOW in the Northeast, it got me thinking - what are some of the weirdest Snow Day Superstitions out there. We did some research and here are the results. Some interesting stuff out there.

Top 10 Snow-Day Superstitions

1. Wear your PJ's inside out and backwards
2. Put a Wooden Spoon under your pllow
3. Put a Spoon in the Fridge
4. Penny under your pillow
5. Flush ice cubes down the toilet / or leave them on your porch
6. Drink Root-Beer the night before a potential storm
7. White crayon in the freezer then under your pillow
8. Wear a colored sock on your left foot
9. Sleep on the opposite side of the bed
10. The Classic Snow Dance

I'm sure there are people out there who have tried at least one or two of these methods. Here at PB, we're doing our best to stay positive - winter is coming it's just a little bit delayed. Keep your fingers crossed (or try one of the methods above) and pray for peace, health and lots of snow.

Posted by Kyle Potter on November 27th @6:10pm (from the PB offices in Kingston, NY)

Information about The NY 4th Grade Ski & Ride Program:

For anyone out there who has a 4th grader, the NY 4th Grade Ski & Ride program is back for another season. Not only does this program offer free skiing for 4th grade kids with a paying adult, but it also offers a learn-to-ski or snowboard package if your child has never skied before. So, you really can't lose! If you have a 4th grader - give it a try. Here are the complete program details.

• Fill out an application (found at http://www.44free.com)
  
  
• Send it in with $19 and proof of being in 4th Grade, consisting of a last quarter 3rd grade report card or first quarter 4th Grade Report Card, progress report or even a copy of the birth certificate.
  
  
• Choose on the application if you want the Learn to Ski or Snowboard booklet OR the 4th Grade Ski & Ride For Free booklet.
  
  
• Fax or mail in the application and $19.00 fee (Visa/Mastercard/Discover, Checks or Money Order accepted).

In late November/early December you will receive your booklet and you're all set to Ski or Ride with your 4th grader. Here are the participating Ski Areas in our region:

Belleayre, Catamount, Hunter Mtn, Mt Peter, Plattekill, Thunder Ridge & Windham. Other participating ski areas can be found on the website.

Go to http://www.44free.com today and fill out the application. It's a win-win for you and your 4th Grader.

Posted by Kyle Potter on November 16th @12:10pm (from the new home office, my kitchen)

Helmet Talk: Giro Seam vs. Smith Variant Brim

Two of the coolest looking helmets on the planet have been the talk of the Potter Brothers Staff this season. The all-new Seam from Giro - and the sleek Variant Brim from Smith. Which helmet is cooler? We'll let you decide - we certainly can't.

The Seam from Giro	The Variant Brim from Smith

Tale of the Tape:

Giro Seam:

Retail $160

Impressive Features:

• All-new "Stack Vent" pretty-much assures that your goggles will not fog by allowing warm air to travel up through the helmet, also allowing for seamless helmet / goggle integration.
  
  
• "Thermostat control" allows you to custom tune airflow instantly with a simple, low profile control button on the outside of the helmet. It's fast, it's easy - and it works.
  
  
• "In Form Fit System" makes it easy to dial in a custom fit in seconds – even with gloves on. An ergo-friendly dial at the base of the helmet provides up to 6cm of adjustment for a custom fit, free of goggle gap.

Smith Variant Brim:

Retail $160

Impressive Features:

• "AirEvac 2" -maximizes goggle and helmet integration to alleviate goggle fogging and increased ventilation by allowing fog-causing moist air to evacuate from the goggle and helmet by channeling air across the user's head to exhaust it at the rear.
  
  
• Super low-profile "Regulator Adjustable Climate Control", easy to use and extremely effective, allows you to control the amount of airflow and heat exhaust even with a gloved hand.
  
  
• "X-Static Lining" - provides the most powerful antimicrobial and odor elimination system available. Plus, X-Static helps regulate temperatures so you stay warmer on cold days, and cooler on warm days. Yeah!!!

There you have it. Personally, I don't think you can go wrong either way. I've put both of these lids on my head recently and they each fit amazing. You could flip a coin and be thrilled. Maybe brand loyalty comes into play?

My Winner: After careful consideration, I will be wearing the Smith Variant Brim this season.

Check out the Giro Seam & Smith Variant Brim online or visit any Potter Brothers Shop for more information.

Posted by Kyle Potter on November 9th @10:00pm (from my kitchen, again!)

Tips for selling your gear at the Swap

If you're planning on selling your gear at an upcoming Potter Brothers Swap & Sell here are some simple tips to help you find success.

1) Take an inventory
Knowing what gear you have packed in your boot bag, or sitting in your garage or basement will help you decide which items are still important to you - and which are not. If you have kids, now is a great time to figure out if their boots still fit, if their skis are sized properly, etc. We also take clothing at the Swap - so consider upgrading your old ski jacket or pants. Check your helmet and goggles too! Taking an inventory will give you a clear picture of what items you’ll need to sell at the Swap.

2) Check your gear!
This should go without saying, but clean and well-cared-for gear will sell faster than dirty, abused gear. Clean and buckle your boots, have your skis or snowboard tuned, etc. We do not take damaged product - so make sure everything is working properly before you arrive. We are more selective with clothing and accessories - so please make sure your apparel has been washed and is in sellable condition.

3) Arrive Early!
It's a no-brainer. The longer your gear is available for sale, the better a chance it will have to sell. For the 4-day Kingston Swap, we’ll start taking equipment at 10:00 am on Thursday October 1st. We only accept Swap items during Sale hours. Please see Sale hours for other Swap Sales in your area.

4) Allow time to fill out Swap tickets
When you arrive at the Swap, you will be asked to fill out 1 (3-piece) ticket for EACH item you are leaving for sale. Although this may seem monotonous, it allows us to identify your gear and ultimately pay you properly when it sells. You will be printing your name, address and phone number - as well as the name, size and asking price of your item. Also, on the back of the ticket, you will be asked to initial your preferred method of payment - either a check for 75% of the selling value, or a Potter Brothers Gift Card for 100% of the value. Knowing this information up-front will make the process go very smoothly.

Note: When it comes to the selling price of your item - you can always put whatever price your wish to get for your item(s). If you are unsure the of the value, a Potter Brothers associate can help.

Cost is $2.00 per item you are leaving at the Swap. (Cash or local checks only please)

Also, Potter Brothers asks that you come back to the Swap on Sunday to pick up your check, gift card or unsold items. Potter Brothers is not responsible for items left after sale hours on Sunday. In most cases, we'll have checks and gift cards ready by noon on Sunday of each Swap.

So that’s it - Selling your old gear can be fun and easy. Follow the above plan and you’ll be prepared for success at the Potter Brothers Swap & Sell.

Posted by Kyle Potter on September 28th, 2009 @ 10:20pm (while watching Monday Night Football)

Setting up the Kingston Shop

We're getting close. New product is coming in daily so be sure to stop by our Kingston shop on Rt 28 to check out the latest ski & snowboard gear. More Bonfire and DC showed up today. I'd say we have about 85% of all our snowboard gear in stock and close to 100% of our ski gear. In clothing, we have The North Face, Orage, Bonfire, DC and Burton in stock. We also have a nice selection of Rossignol outerwear at 50% OFF - some great stuff at great prices.

Posted by Kyle Potter on September 18th, 2009 @ 9:34am (from the front counter)

Great Weekend in Rhinebeck

Potter Brothers first Tent Sale of the Year was a huge success as skiers and snowboarders came out to take advantage of amazing early-season deals. It felt great to get back to talking skis and boards with our customers. There's no doubt that skiers and riders are a passionate group, and coming off a great season last year, we're all hoping for another snowy winter this season.

One of the highlights of the weekend was our Cash-4-Carvers promotion. We traded in several straight skis, old boots, classic snowboards and more. It was trip down memory lane. Stay tuned to potterbrothers.com as we consider offering that deal again.

Thank you to our loyal customers who came out to see us this weekend. It was a lot of fun and we look forward to seeing you again.

GM, Paul Zajkowski was't sure if those straight skis were older than he is.	We love those new Rossignol skis. Cash-4-Carvers is the way to go!

Posted by Kyle Potter on September 13th, 2009 @ 9:05pm (from my couch)

Ready to go in Rhinebeck!

Despite the rain, setup went really well today for our First Tent Sale of the year - happening this weekend (Sept 12-13) at the Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck. The tent is HUGE!! It's 120 feet long and it's packed with tons of skis, boots, snowboards, ski jackets, pants, goggles, helmets - we have soooo much stuff and the deals are great. We actually had a few poachers today - so the action has already begun. Stop by this weekend and check it out. While you're here, you can hop over to the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival. It looks like it will be a great weekend.

Here are some pics from the tent:

Posted by Kyle Potter on September 11th, 2009 @ 2:36pm (from my car)

Rossignol's Angus Snowboard wins industry's highest honor!

We had a feeling this board was going to be special when we got our first look at it last spring - and when our guys actually had a chance to ride the board, it performed even better than expected. Apparently, the people at Snowboarder Magazine felt the same way as they just awarded it the 2009 "Best of Test"

Here is a quick look at the press release from France Lessard, the Communications and PR director at Rossignol:

Park City, August 28: Rossignol’s Angus snowboard wins 1 of only 3 Snowboarder Magazine’s Best of Test awards. The Best of Test award is a very high honor. Over a hundred riders from all over the country tested thousands of boards, in a multitude of snow conditions and terrain, throughout the winter at on snow demos. From thousands of boards the list is narrowed down and the top 3 boards, for the 09-10 season, are given the Best of Test award.

North American Product Manager Eric Hutchison says “The Angus debuts our new Amptek Camber technology which we consider to be the future of snowboard design. So to have immediate validation at the shop level for our latest and greatest design certainly bodes well for the future of Rossignol Snowboards. “

The Angus is an all mountain snowboard that delivers all around performance and ease of use. The unique shape, called Amptek, combines rocker (or reverse camber) at the tip and tail with traditional camber under foot. The Angus’ Amptek technology delivers the best on-trail performance and the best powder performance all in one board.

Visit Potter Brothers and check out the all-new Angus from Rossignol.

 

4 Good Reasons To Get Your Skis or Snowboard Tuned-up Now.


The Annual Tune-up Special is back at Potter Brothers - and that got us thinking of some the good reasons why now is the best time to get your skis or snowboard in prime shape for the new season. Here are our "Top 4" reasons to take advantage of our Tune-up Special.

• You're ready to go when the snow falls.

  There's nothing like the night before your first day of the season. If you're like me, you're shuffling through your boot bag, making sure you have everything you need, wondering if you ever washed those long undies, and so on. So, when it comes to your skis or snowboard, it will be nice to know those gauges you put in the base of your ride from last spring are all patched and ready to go.

• Tuned Skis/Boards just perform better.

  When you ski in the Northeast, especially early in the year, you have to anticipate that you'll be skiing on some hardpack (or ice in most cases). Having your edges sharpened along with a stone grind and wax for your base will ensure that your gear performs to the best of it's ability - giving you the confidence to tackle everything the mountain throws at you.

• It adds value.

  If you were thinking of selling your skis or snowboard at one of our Swap Sales this Fall, they'll have a much better chance of selling when they're all tuned up. It's much harder for your gear to sell with rusty, dull edges and/or core shots.

• It cost less right now.

  From now until the middle of September, Potter Brothers is offering it's Annual Tune-Up Special. A full tune-up "in-season" costs $39.95. For a limited time, you can get your skis or snowboard fully tuned for only $29.95 when you pre-pay. A savings of $10.

Visit Potter Brothers in Kingston or Fishkill and drop off your Skis or Snowboard for a Tune-up. Our Poughkeepsie and Middletown shop will open later in September so we will honor the special into early October for those locations.

Potter Brothers – where changing seasons happens a little early.

Summer is cool. Even though we live to ski & ride (heck it really is our livelihood), there’s something nice about our Summer Patio business. Having hundreds of chairs and chaise lounges at your discretion on the showroom floor isn’t really a bad thing.

However, that all of our summer relaxation took a dramatic change on a random Tuesday in July. The date was July 28th 2009. The day we took our first steps down the road of Winter 2009/2010 – and a new season!

First some statistics:

15 Pallets 301 Boxes 954 Total Units $1650 in freight charges (but who’s counting)

This was our Rossignol preseason delivery on 7/28/09 – the before, during & after pictures tell the story. The good news in all of this is that we’ll have some amazing deals to offer this season – and you’ve come to the right place to hear all about it.

This is our blog – we ask you to check back often as we will be entertaining you with the very best knowledge we have – everything pertaining to the hobbies we enjoy most – skiing and snowboarding. Have suggestions – leave a comment. Heck give us a call. That’s what we’re here for.

We look forward to the season ahead – we know – it’s early!