Scenic Backcountry skiing in Yosemite National Park interests you?
Yosemite Winter Club Cross Country Ski Section
Jane Raschuke-Goodman, a representative from the the Yosemite Winter Club Cross Country Ski section( is a non-profit organization founded in 1928 to bring winter sporting opportunities to outdoor enthusiasts in Yosemite), will be presenting information about YWC, as well as, sharing tips on all aspects of back country skiing. Attend one of the two information sessions that are scheduled at Sports Basement:
For further information, email: or call Jane Raschke-Goodman at (559) 392-1194
Learn about the Yosemite Winter Club Cross Country Ski Section ( YWCXC). This Club arranges hut supported ski trips into the backcountry of Yosemite. These trips are made possible by the XC Section members who volunteer their time for trip planning, meal planning, shopping and packing food caches and placing the caches in the cabins in the fall before the roads close. These are not guided trips, but a trip leader is assigned for the purpose of facilitating decision making and everyone pitches in to cook, clean up after meals and tidy up the cabins before the group leaves.
Looking to buy gear, skis, snowboard or snow sports clothing? REI is having their REI’s Winter Clearance Sale.
Save up to 50% on Cold Weather Clothing and Footwear. Plus Save 50% off or more at REI Garage! Shop early for the best selection. Free U.S. Standard Shipping on all Skis and Snowboards. Earn a $100 REI Gift Card when you apply for an REI Mastercard. Browse clearance sale items.
♥ Share this page with friends and family via , twitter, facebook.
The 2016-17 Lake Tahoe Six-Pack includes(the lift tickets are flexible, allowing you to choose one of two resorts with each ticket):
• 1 lift ticket valid at Heavenly, Kirkwood or Mt. Rose–Ski Tahoe
• 1 lift ticket valid at Heavenly or Sierra-at-Tahoe® Resort
• 1 lift ticket valid at Sierra-at-Tahoe® Resort or Kirkwood
• 1 lift ticket valid at Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows or Mt. Rose–Ski Tahoe
• 1 lift ticket valid at Squaw Valley or Northstar California
• 1 lift ticket valid at Alpine Meadows or Northstar California
Why is it the best all around Tahoe lift ticket package deal?
A combination of variety, flexibility and affordability gives the Tahoe Six-Pack lift ticket deal the best bargain you can buy; here’s why, you get..
1) a variety of mountains/terrains at seven Tahoe resorts so you won’t get bored
2) flexibility: the Six-Pack lift tickets are valid throughout the 2016-17 season (the following holiday blackout dates apply: February 18-19, 2017) and do not have to be used on consecutive days. Given Lake Tahoe’s typically long winter season, this means ticket holders can use one lift ticket as early as November and another as late as the month of April. The lift tickets are also fully transferable to family and friends.
3) affordability/savings: the Tahoe Six-Pack costs $488.95 per adult 6 pack lift tickets; your per lift ticket cost breaks down to $81.50. You save up to $68.50 off regular lift ticket pricing; for example buying a lift ticket at Squaw’s ticket window will cost you $150 while buying the Six-Pack gets you the same lift ticket for $81.50 as part of the promo package deal.
Six-Pack Tickets orders placed Monday through Thursday will be sent to the fulfillment center to ship on a daily basis, though expect 1-2 days for handling before they ship USPS Priority Mail, which takes 3 days, so assume a minimum of 7-10 business days to get your tickets. Orders placed Friday – Sunday will be sent the following Monday..
Only 1 voucher per Six-Pack redeemable per resort, per day.
Six-Pack Tickets orders placed Monday through Thursday will be sent to the fulfillment center to ship on a daily basis, though expect 1-2 days for handling before they ship USPS Priority Mail, which takes three days, so assume a minimum of 7-10 business days to get your tickets. Orders placed Friday – Sunday will be sent the following Monday. Emails will be sent out with tracking information at that time. We’re no longer offering pick up locations on the North Shore, only South Shore pick up locations, excluding weekends.
If you’re traveling from outside of California tickets can be mailed to your respective hotel.
Lake Tahoe boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year, and the region has some of the highest annual snowfall amounts in North America with 2016-17 season setting a new record for snowfall; January 2017 already recorded 400 inches of snow whereas the entire season of 2015-16 only recorded 450 inches of snow total. The nine Tahoe resorts, all offering unparalleled scenic vistas of panoramic mountain and lake views, are conveniently located near the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
Looking to buy gear, skis, snowboard or snow sports clothing? REI is having their REI’s Winter Clearance Sale.
Save up to 50% on Cold Weather Clothing and Footwear. Plus Save 50% off or more at REI Garage! Shop early for the best selection. Free U.S. Standard Shipping on all Skis and Snowboards. Earn a $100 REI Gift Card when you apply for an REI Mastercard. Browse clearance sale items.
♥ Share this page with friends and family via , twitter, facebook.
Snowpals’ Top Pick for Bay Area Ski Shop goes to California Ski Company
California Ski Company is a premier San Francisco Bay Area’s ski equipment shop specializing in:
alpine skiing(aka downhill skiing)
backcountry – the only SF Bay Area ski shop specializing in backountry
expert custom boot fitting
professional ski tuning
high-performance ski rentals
What is most important to you when you’re looking to buy or get your gear serviced? California Ski Company provides stellar customer service and has an experienced, knowledgeable and capable staff with insightful answers to your product and gear questions. Most importantly, they care about your snow riding experience and have the track record to prove it — thousands of loyal customers.
“For more than 16 years, California Ski Company has been the Bay Area leader in specialty alpine ski sales, offering knowledge, expertise and experience that few volume retailers can. Our staff is what makes our store unique. We are a group of ski enthusiasts drawn together by the desire to work in a SKI ONLY environment where skiers come to learn about the latest and best products from people who spend every available moment using those products.”
Exclusive promotional offer
Receive a free beanie or cap with any purchase of $50 or more; just mention that you saw this video on the Snowpals website to get in on this promo.
“Please click on the thumbs up ‘like’ button if you find our Youtube video informative. Thanks!”
California Ski Company | 843-A Gilman Street, Berkeley CA 94710 | 510-527-6411
Get in shape for the ski season to prevent injuries; boot camp starts Monday Oct 21st. Register now!
Reap the most benefits from a 60 min workout
Condition muscles for skiing/riding
Get outside of the gym & change up your routine
Enjoy a fun and challenging workout
when & prices:
Option 1: Monday & Wednesday, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM; 2x a week, for 5 weeks, from Monday Oct 21 to Wednesday Nov 20. Cost: $150 (a set of 10 classes)
Option 2: Saturdays only, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM; 1x a week on Saturdays, for 4 weeks, from Saturday Oct 26 to Saturday Nov 16. Cost: $60 (a set of 4 classes); supplement your gym workouts
Option 3: Sundays only, 10:00AM to 11:00AM; 1x a week on Sundays, for 4 weeks, from Saturday Oct 27 to Sunday Nov 17. Cost: $60 (a set of 4 classes); supplement your gym workouts
Option 4: Weekends Only (Saturday & Sunday), 10:00AM to11:00AM; 2x a week on Saturday & Sunday for 4 weeks from Saturday Oct 26 to Sunday Nov 17. Cost: $120 (a set of 8 classes)
where: The FIT Potato Studio, 6894 Village Parkway Dublin, CA 94568
Are you in shape for skiing/snowboarding?
When October arrives, there’s less than seven weeks left until the start of the 2013-14 ski season. Are you in shape? Skiing and snowboarding is one of the most demanding sports, both mentally and physically. Whether on a ski holiday or skiing 30 days per year, sign up for our preseason ski conditioning boot camp to increase your enjoyment, skiing performance and help prevent common skiing and snowboarding injuries.
Common ski injuries involve the knee, particularly, a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury(see diagram below: source wiki)
Other common ski injuries involve ligament sprains, soft tissue bruising and joint injuries. For snowboarders, common injuries typically involve fractures(broken bones), joint injuries such as dislocations (when the joint surfaces are completely torn apart) and subluxations (when the joint surfaces are moved out of position, but not completely). Most injuries are the result of poor or no conditioning.
Skiing and snowboarding are dynamic activities that recruit multiple muscle groups. These activities are carried out on even and uneven surfaces and place high levels of stress on muscles and joints which increases the likelihood of injuries. Incorporating functional exercises to strengthen muscle groups of the quadriceps, gluteals and hamstrings help to prevent injuries and get you in shape for the ski/ride season.
class description:
Each class will focus on snowsport-specific exercises integrating strengthening, balance/proprioceptive, agility, plyometrics, flexibility/yoga and core training.
learn & develop:
proper knee alignment through training
functional balance
plyometrics for power
interval training for stamina
abs/core strength
stretching/yoga for increased range of motion and relaxation
Each class is unique. You will get a great workout that will get you in shape for the ski/ride season. We maximize training effectiveness by combining circuits, interval courses, drills, calisthenics and functional ski/snowboard-specific exercises(incorporating typical athletic stances, and engaging all of your muscles in movement patterns typical of how you would move when skiing/snowboarding).
The exercise format is fun and easy to follow and can be modified to any level: beginner to advanced. You’ll get in great shape and meet other like-minded ski and ride enthusiasts.
pre and post assessments included:
Included in this class is a fitness performance assessment that will take place on the first day(to set a baseline) and last day of each class(to measure your improvements). Fitness Assessments include a body composition test (body fat testing) and taking your body circumference measurements.
coaches:
Francisco Gomez holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology; currently earning a Masters in Exercise Physiology; National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association(NESTA) Certified Trainer and award winning college coach. Francisco enjoys skiing and snowboarding at Squaw Valley.
Juan Gomez holds a B.S. in Business Marketing; currently earning a Masters in Exercise Physiology; top running athlete and cross-country running coach. Juan’s favorite Tahoe resort for snowboarding is Heavenly.
“No Time Like Now”
To quote a phrase, it’s never too late to get started. According to Linda Crockett, education director for the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors, “the six weeks before the season are the most important in strength training and anaerobic conditioning. Even if you haven’t been conscientious about training in the off-season, you should focus on a regime during these fleeting days before the snow flies. After all, you can’t get up to the slopes and expect your body to do something that it can’t even do on dry land,” she says.
Pre-season training is for everyone. Get fit and prevent injuries.
Our fitness assessments are included. Our workouts are different each day, our classes are never overcrowded, and our sessions are closed to the public once we’ve begun.
to register
1. Submit the registration form below. Pay $20 to reserve your spot; the remainder of the balance is due on the first day of class. You will receive an e-mail confirmation within 24 hours that you have been registered.
2. If you’d like to try out the bootcamp, we offer a $25 drop-in class option. Keep in mind that the more frequently you go, you’ll get better results, and you’ll save more when you select one of our bootcamp packages described above.
*Please note that classes are non-transferable. Classes do not roll over and credit will not be refunded for unused classes.
For questions or to order a gift certificate: drop us a line via or call (925) 487-6115.
*what to bring to class
Bring a water bottle, a towel, sunscreen(for our Saturday morning classes), gloves if you don’t like putting your hands in the grass, comfortable layers of clothes and athletic shoes. Most helpful is to bring your unworried mind, high energy and positive attitude!
Get 1/2 off Powder Pass & VIP wine and beer tasting tickets with promo discount code – snowpals
POWDER PASS: ($12.50 Discounted 50%), regular $25
POWDER PASS admission comes with FREE LIFT TICKETS. See below for details.
VIP PASS: ($25 Discounted 50%), regular $50
Festival hours 10-6 / VIP admission includes wine or beer tasting 1-5 / Also includes FREE LIFT TICKETS included w/ Powder Pass PLUS a BONUS Free Squaw Valley/Alpine lift ticket (buy one get one free)
FREE Friday Night Pre-Sale Entrance – 3 to 8 pm Fri Night
This ticket will get you into the sale on Friday night. It does not include free lift tickets. You must buy a POWDER PASS or VIP admission to get free lift tickets.
DATES & LOCATIONS
San Jose – Friday, November 7, 2014, 4:00 PM to Sunday, November 9, 2014, 7:00 PM at McEnery Convention Center 150 W San Carlos StSan Jose, CA95113
* Win 1 of 5 VIP wine/beer tasting entry tickets by retweeting (RT) the following to help us get the word out.. ” @SnowPalsDotOrg Get 1/2 off Snowbomb Ski & Board Fest VIP Wine/Beer Tasting tickets at http://www.snowpals.org/2014/free-half-off-2014-snowbomb-ski-board-festival/ “ .. winners will be announced via our twitter feed @SnowPalsDotOrg
Powder Pass & VIP Pass Include the Following Lift Tickets/ Perks
Bear Valley Lift Ticket
Valid Sun-Fri, non-holiday
Holiday sates defined as: December 26 – Jan 4th, January 17 – 19th, February 14 – 16th 2015
China Peak Lift Ticket
Valid Sunday – Friday, non-holiday.
Holiday dates defined as December 26-31, January 1-4, January 17-19, February 14-16.
Badger Pass Lift Ticket
Valid Sunday – Thursday, non-holiday.
Holiday dates defined as December 14 – January 3, January 17-18, February 14-15.
VIP Pass Includes the above plus
Unlimited Tasting
Saturday – Wine
Sunday – Beer
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows
Buy one get one free lift ticket.
Valid Sunday – Friday, non-holiday.
Holiday dates defined as December 20 – January 3, January 17-18, February 14-21.
♥ Share this page with friends and family via email, twitter, facebook.
Parting thoughts: Great all around ski. Can be a quiver of one ski.
What follows is a gear review of the Praxis MVP skis from your everyday working man who’s passionate about that sensation of floating on untracked powder:
I just finished three days on my new MVP’s and thought I’d tell you about them since there doesn’t seem to be much out there about them. I’ll start by telling you a bit about me so that you can determine if you want to take what I say with a grain of salt or decide that maybe this may be helpful to you. then I’ll describe my observations with this ski and you can do what you want with the info. My hope is that you will gain some sort of insight (good or bad) about this ski if you are in the process of pulling the trigger or not.
So, I am a early 40’s guy, 6’0, 205 lbs (athletic, gold medal at SF tri last year, scratch golfer that wins amateur tournaments), that is now able to ski again because my kids are now old enough to enjoy time on the mountain. I used to ski lots in high school and college and was considered an expert. Zipper lining was my favorite past-time. the bigger the bumps the better. I would also huck cliffs and anything else that would impress my friends and girls because I was fearless. They tried to get me to race in Nastar stuff, but I just wanted to rip around with my buds.
So, fast forward many years, three kids later and a great career. I’m back to skiing again and its like riding a bike. You never forget how to although it seems like “carving” is all the rage these days. When I learned, I was taught to ski as fast as you can in as strait a line as you can, keep your upper body pointed downhill and only pivot your skis to control your speed. I skidded my turns to control speed.
With this “carving” thing all the rage, my trusty 195 K2 5500’s weren’t going to cut it anymore so I bought some used Atomic Slalom skis and skied them all last season. They are pretty awesome skis and you can turn so quick in them. They are stiff as boards too.
Then all I kept hearing about last season is “rocker” and wide skis. So this year I bought a pair on a leap of faith without trying any. I orignally ordered Praxis Pist Jibs. Keith then recommended that I go with MVP’s and that’s what I did. Praxis MVP, 184’s, Medium/Stiff with Carbon/glass layup. Bindings mounted on boot center on dot indented on left side of ski. They are not nearly as stiff as my Atomics.
I skied them for the first time on Friday at Squaw. Basically all on groomers, the steepest terain being Siberia Bowl, but mostly on the runs off Shirley Express. I love moguls so was happy to see little bumps form. Anyhow, on Friday the skis felt very “spinny” or pivoty. They wanted to pivot at the slightest movement. I’m guessing my first experience with rocker?
The tails kept washing out on me and the tail tips would cross a lot. I also felt very forward on this setup and noticed that the bindings looked too centered on the skis. When the speed increased the tails seemed to behave a lot better and so I started seeing how fast I could go until I felt unsafe on them. At higher speeds, they would start twisting around on me. Its like there is some sort of speed sweet spot on these. Not enough speed and the tails misbehaved and too much speed and they start being thrown all over the place. I was not happy on Friday. I hated these skis. I wanted my Atomics back.
So after Friday I needed to do something about these skis since I dropped a boatload on them. I took the skis to the Squaw shop and asked them to remount them for me. The centeredness of the bindings bothered me so I eyeballed the binding position that looked right to me and asked the guys in the shop to remount them there. That ended up mounting the bindings with the boot center mark 4 cm behind the mark on the left side of the skis.
What a difference that made!! It is like a totally difference ski. Not sure of the technicalities of moving the mount position but it looks right now. Better for my old style of skiing? Don’t know.
By today, I’ve got them so dialed in and I feel I have total control over them. Not one crossed tip or tail, zip through bumps, great skidded turning and sometimes I would even get on the edges and carve some nice turns that felt locked into the snow and solid. I had lots of fun Saturday and today. I don’t feel a speed limit anymore and they are now stable at high speeds. I did plenty of beginner slopes too, teaching my kids skiing and these skis are much better when going faster.
Anyways, that’s what I have to say about these so far. Again only three days on these and all on piste. I feel like I have the control like my Atomic slalom skis with solid edges that I can lock into the snow, but also with the rocker for deeper snow that hopefully I’ll be able to experience soon.
I totally love them now and have confidence to do anything on them now. I have the feel of my Atomics in a modern form factor that will add to the terrain I can ski with them. I want to try the 187 to see if I can control them as well as I can mine at 184.
Those are my thoughts on these. Hope this review helps someone in the purchasing decision process . Take care!
Gear review by Joe Woo who mainly ski Squaw and Alpine; he’s based out of the North Bay.
Snowpals is looking for snowboard, related snow gear and apparel review contributors; if you have a unique writing style that engages the reader, to share a writing sample.
♥ Share this with friends and family via email, twitter, facebook.
POWder Parties, Ski Bus Deals, Ski & Ride Vacation Getaway
Help us celebrate our 14th Season as a ski and ride community: engage in some fun at our annual season kick-off POWDER parties happening around the SF Bay Area – view photos from previous events!
East Bay, Berkeley POWDER party – Wednesday DEC 5, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM; 20% of event funds collected will be donated to Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts managed by New Your Cares; $5 event fee,view details & RSVP
Hop on the Bay Area Ski Bus to Tahoe for a fun-filled day on the slopes of your favorite ski resort and sleep or watch a featured movie on the way back home; bus trips for family, teens, adults, and singles. Get $6 per person off one day trips and $10 off two day trips.
Treat yourself, family and/or friends to a ski/ride destination vacation to Revelstoke Mountain Resort in British Columbia, Sun Valley Idaho / Grand Targhee in WY and Brekenridge / Vail in Colorado; get $30-$40 off these trips.
SF Ski Season Kickoff Party in San Francisco – Thursday, Nov 1, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM: view event details & RSVP
Join us on Wednesday October 31, 2012, 2:30pm-5pm to celebrate: San Francisco Giants 2012 World Series Champion Post Parade Celebration. Meet local skiers and snowboarders who are fans of the SF Giants to celebrate with an after parade celebration meetup for drinks and conversations.
♥ Share this with friends and family via email, twitter, facebook.
Come celebrate the holidays and engage in winter outdoor recreation; connect with skiers and snowboarders for Tahoe trips. When was the last time you had some playful fun?
We are dedicating this mixer to those born under the sign of Sagittarius(Nov 22 to Dec 21 birthdays). And no, you don’t have to be a Sagittarius to participate. 😉
When: Dec 2, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Where: Noeteca Wine Bar Cafe located at 1551 Dolores St(between Valley St & 29th St) San Francisco, CA 94110. Neighborhood: Bernal Heights. (415) 824-5524
Pay at the door event fee: $5 – please complete the eventbrite registration to RSVP and to help us plan for this event. Due to space limitations, only 32 spots available for this event.
Included with every entry is a free Liftopia gift card. Also, light snacks will be provided.
Drink specials
For ladies, enjoy a “French Kiss”: a mixture of French Champagne, puree of white peach, and fresh raspberry, served in a champagne flute for $8.
For gentlemen: a glass of tasty Haraszthy Zinfandel for $9 (regularly $11). Tasting notes: “The nose of this vintage is full of berry aromas and in the mouth you will taste blackberry, spice, and a hint of vanilla.”
Please make a note to bring cash. For these special events, it’s cash only.
About Noeteca Cafe & Wine Bar
Noeteca Cafe & Wine Bar voted Best San Francisco Wine Bar from readers’ poll by SF Weekly, SF Bay Guardian & City Search. Noeteca Cafe & Wine Bar is a warm welcoming space with great wines, espresso, good eats, and most notably friendly professional service provided by Alex, Scott, and Shane. Noeteca Cafe & Wine Bar is located at 1551 Dolores St San Francisco, CA 94110 | 415-824-5524 | Menu | Go to their twitter page or Facebook page for happy hour specials & upcoming events.
Fun engagement
Once a month, for playful fun, at our mixer we celebrate birthdays that fall within an astrological sign..
This mixer is dedicated to people who were born between Nov 22 to Dec 21 which is the astrology sign of Sagittarius
Sagittarian’s Secret Desire: To make a difference in the world
Description: Ruled by the benefic planet Jupiter, Sagittarians possess a natural exuberance, sense of adventure and love of life that makes them one of the most optimistic zodiac signs of all. Like their astrological symbol – the Archer – Sagittarians are renowned for aiming their sights towards whatever it is they find alluring – a love partner, dream job, vacation – and making it their own. They believe that anything is possible – and because of this belief system, Sagittarians are adept at seeking out their very own pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
But sometimes trying to tie down these free-spirited individuals is frustrating for those around them. Sagittarians are happiest on the move – exploring new cultures and ideas and many are attracted to occupations related to travel, the media, outdoor work and philosophical pursuits. In love, their catch-cry is “don’t fence me in”. But once they find a partner who understands their need to retain their own sense of self and identity, Sagittarians can be the most big-hearted, generous and fun-loving companions of all.
Freedom loving, optimistic and honest, Sagittarians are ruled by Jupiter, the planet of abundance and higher learning. The wisdom of Jupiter imbibes Sagittarians with an inherent need to develop their own unique philosophy of life. The Centaur is their astrological symbol, and it gives many insights into the Sagittarian personality. The higher-evolved Sagittarian learns to integrate the two ends of the Centaur (half-human, half-beast) in order for their arrow (another Sagittarian symbol) of higher aspirations to be more on the mark. Although they are intellectually and spiritually advanced, Sagittarians are notorious for their lack of tact. In relationships they demand independence, but when in love, it can’t be denied that they are one of the most big-hearted signs of the zodiac.
If you were born on the first or last day of a Sun sign, in astrological terms you were born on a cusp. If that’s the case, you will probably benefit from reading your own Sun sign and the Sun sign that ends or begins right before or after your date of birth. For example, if your birth date is 22 December, your Sun sign is Capricorn, but you probably have some Sagittarian traits as well. ” – by Athena S.
The San Francicso Bay Area and Silicon Valley is at the heart of new technologies and innovations that benefit society and improve our lives.
At Snowpals, we love to support innovators and those who are passionate about making our world a tad better. Every week or so, we’ll feature a Kickstarter project that we feel merit visibility and funding support. If you have a Kickstarter project you feel passionate about and would like to have it affiliated with Snowpals, .
Introducing this week’s featured Kickstarter project:
Designer’s experience: “In our day jobs, we design components and systems and manage suppliers to deliver them. Our “portfolio” includes work on the Airbus A350XWB airliner, the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter, James Webb Space Telescope and others.”
What is this project about?
Waterproof case mounts your iPhone anywhere. Secure quick-release adapter, wide angle optics, free app for wireless control and share.
Click on the ‘play’ button to watch the prototype case in use:
Launched: Oct 29, 2012
Funding ends: Nov 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM PST/4:00 PM EST
122 backers
$13,924 raised as of 11:05 AM on Nov 19, 2012
$35,000 goal
time left to reach goal: 72 minutes to go as of 11:45 AM on 11/19 – project ends at 1:00 PM PST/4:00 PM EST on Monday Nov 19 2012
♥ Share this page with friends and family via email, twitter, facebook.
HELP THIS PROJECT REACH GOAL WITH A PLEDGE
PLEDGE LEVELS & REWARDS:
Pledge $5 or more gets you a
App Start Wristband – With this wristband and our free app you can start and stop recording on your iPhone without touching the screen.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
Add $5 to ship outside the US
PLEDGE $25 OR MORE GETS YOU A
Trucker Hat and Wristband – This highly functional trucker hat keeps the sun out of your eyes and shows your support in style.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
Add $20 to ship outside the US
PLEDGE $45 OR MORE
50 backers Sold out
Early backer – iPhone 4/4S case and adapter with two flat sticky bases.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
Add $20 to ship outside the US
PLEDGE $55 OR MORE
11 backers
iPhone 4/4S case and adapter with two flat sticky bases. ($70 estimated retail price.)
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
Add $20 to ship outside the US
PLEDGE $65 OR MORE
9 backers
iPhone 5 case and adapter with two flat sticky bases. ($80 estimated retail price.)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
Add $20 to ship outside the US
PLEDGE $110 OR MORE
2 backers
upgrade pack: 1 each iPhone 4/4s and iPhone 5 cases, 2x adapters and 4x sticky bases.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
Add $20 to ship outside the US
PLEDGE $130 OR MORE
18 backers Limited (32 of 50 left)
Kickstarter Edition iPhone 4/4S case and adapter with flat and curved sticky bases. Case is upgraded with anodized green latches, laser etched with backer number.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
Add $20 to ship outside the US
PLEDGE $130 OR MORE
2 backers Limited (48 of 50 left)
Kickstarter Edition iPhone 5 case and adapter with flat and curved sticky bases. Case is upgraded with anodized green latches, laser etched with backer number.
Waterproof and Shockproof: TPE bumpers absorb shock, oversized o-rings seal out water, aluminum latch locks it tight
Mountable: Sticky base is versatile and included in all case pledge levels
Other Mounts: We design custom mounts for you, available at our Shapeways.com shop (link)
Wide Angle Lens: Custom designed lens, optical grade glass, distortion free in and out of water
Full Phone Access: Access all buttons and full screen
iTunes App:
Wave our wristband by the phone to record or stop
Works with gloves and under water
Instantly preview your shots
Edit video and one touch share
iconic.am wireless control app and wristband (link to iTunes)
Who we are:
We met in LA while working as engineers designing aircraft and satellites. We started this product about a year ago coming back from a trip to the lake after realizing that we all cautiously stowed our iPhones in ziploc bags. We wanted to use our iPhones to record outdoor video, but found that nothing existed to address our need. We siezed the opportunity to design something our friends would be excited to use.
Paul: Paul is a surfer, skier and mountain biker who spent college winters in Tahoe and now builds telescopes. Paul is responsible for the optics and web development.
Tim: Tim is a snowboarder and volleyball player who has been controlling vibration on aircraft and spacecraft for the last 6 years. Tim is responsible for app development.
Zoltan: Zoltan is a mountain biker and snowboarder who was making flight control systems for 6 years before going to USC to get his MBA. In his spare time, he volunteers with FIRST (high school robotics) team 1197. Zoltan is responsible for mechanical design.
Alex:Alex is a surfer, snowboarder and volleyball player who worked as a materials engineer in semiconductor manufacturing before going back to school at UCLA. He is one of the founders and now serves as an advisor to the team.
Where we are now and how we will close with the Kickstarter pre-sales:
We’ve designed, prototyped, and then redesigned the case and mount over and over. We’ve performed a lot of analysis to ensure it works well and can stand up to abuse. We’ve been using the product and improved on all the things you only discover after testing something in the real world.
Yes, we did the analysis
We met with our manufacturing partners and inspected their factories. We collaborated with them on the design to ensure that it is producible and affordable. We developed the app, designed and manufactured samples of our custom lenses, and completed our 3D printed mounts. The time has come to build injection molding tooling for manufacturing the production run of the case.
Zoltan – Grinding
This is where you come in: The Kickstarter funds are dedicated entirely to tooling and material for the production run. We specified the highest grade of tooling for the best surface finish and part consistency. We’ve taken the project this far, now it is up to you to help us bring this project from prototype to production.
So if you are ready to start getting great video from some creative angles, lock in your pre-order now. You know Kickstarter isall or nothing so tell your friends about iconic.am and share it on Facebook, every contribution level helps.
Manufacturing Plan
schedule starts after funds are processed (typically 2 weeks)
Week 1: place orders for injection molding tooling, place order for die casting tooling, place lens order, place die cut material order
Week 2-3: set up assembly tooling with rapid prototyped parts, die cut components (screens, acoustic pass-throughs, sticky pads) arrive
Week 4-5: injection molding tooling finished, proved out, prove-out units assembled, prove-out units tested for IP rating (waterproofness)
-Optics Accuracy: We have a preferred vendor that we chose based on their technical capabilities rather than price. We bought and tested lenses to our final specification from them.
-Injection Molding Tooling Producibility: Our vendor has provided quotes based on final CAD models, but there will almost certainly be details that need to be worked out. We plan to mitigate risk by being co-located with our vendor during the detail design phase of the tooling and initial production.
-Case Waterproofness: We performed all of our testing with rapid prototyped parts. They are not as waterproof (because they’re porous) as the final injection molded parts will be. We dunked our iPhones with these prototypes plenty of times, but our waterproofness rating tests need to be performed on production parts. This presents a schedule risk that we will mitigate by testing design elements in mock-ups. For example: a tube machined to look like the optics portion of the housing assembled with real optics, o-ring, and retainer to test that seal. We are working with a vendor that produces IP rated sealed electronics and incorporated their recommendations into the design of the iconic.am case.
Our Risk Mitigation Qualifications: In our day jobs, we design components and systems and manage suppliers to deliver them. Our “portfolio” includes work on the Airbus A350XWB airliner, the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter, James Webb Space Telescope and others.
Francisco Gomez holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology; currently earning a Masters in Exercise Physiology; National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association(NESTA) Certified Trainer and award winning college coach. Francisco enjoys skiing and snowboarding at Squaw Valley.
Juan Gomez holds a B.S. in Business Marketing; currently earning a Masters in Exercise Physiology; top running athlete and cross-country running coach. Juan’s favorite Tahoe resort for snowboarding is Heavenly.
Loading ...
