The summer season is upon us. In Colorado, we had the wettest May on record; dropping plenty of needed water. After that, the temps have risen and the heat is on….we use these sun-filled months to re-charge our bodies like solar collectors. We soak up the vitamin D during these months, which we will store and use to power through the short winter days and heavy pow storms we are expecting this winter. Whether we attempt to get closer to the sun by climbing Denali or surfing near the equator, we soak up as much of the sun as we can during this precious charging time.
The river is running, so we run with it. Mountains and boulders are calling, so we answer by climbing them. Trails are open, so we run and bike them. The asphalt is smooth and dry so we skate it. Summertime is our recharge time and we test our gear in our everyday mountain town life as well as where our travels take us. The breathability and natural SPF qualities of wool allow us to use our gear all summer long, as we power up for the winter months. Follow our solar chasing adventures on our Instagram and Facebook page…you'll see us climbing, surfing, running, rafting, relaxin and enjoying Rocky Mountain High Country Merino Wool year round. Enjoy the sun; power up. This winter is gonna be a doozy!!
It's not always your house or car…sometimes spring cleaning can be most beneficial for your brain. In our small town, restaurants take turns shutting down to go play…free of worries or stress. Seasonal mountain employees find ways to escape from winter work to play before the summer jobs begin. One of our favorites aspects of living here in the mighty San Juans is that we can escape in an afternoon. We can take a day and clear the cobwebs at the top of Pagosa Peak or wandering in the Wemenuche Wilderness. Sometimes a cold one and smooth concrete is all it takes….this backyard playground is one of the many reasons why we live in Pagosa. So while we might be jetting off to far off places for some spring cleaning of our gray matter, we will also be sneaking out to our backyard at every chance we get. Spring is here, time to clean up the clutter and be free!!! Enjoy this time of year as it is as unique as you are! Have fun. .
Yup...we've reached the end of the Winter 2015 Trade Show Season. For us, SIA (The Snowsports Industries America show) is certainly our favorite. Walking into the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver is a bit like stepping back in time. Surrounded by the companies you grew up with washed in bright lights with music blasting….it's kind of like being 14 again. The booths are as creative as they are distinct; no two alike. Some handmade in garages, others the size of small villages. As you walk down crowded aisles housing a PB&J sandwich you got from a glove company, you can't help but take a second look at the best modeling talent Denver's local agencies had to offer. For us as a company, we felt honored to be considered peers to the aforementioned companies.
Winning a number of awards including "Gear of the Show Award" from Outside Magazine, "Show Stopper Award" from Ski Magazine and the Kokatat "American Made Outdoor Gear Award", it was truly an amazing feeling to see such an effort come to life!
From start to finish the Voormi booth was a hotspot of activity. We talked, we laughed, we shared our story and we gave high fives…it was a solid show. We left excited... walking a little taller, smiling a little wider and holding our heads high. Until next year SIA! Stay classy Denver.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is a resource we use regularly with appreciation. Utilizing your local Avalanche institute is a critical component to safe backcountry travel. Supporting this organization is a crucial part of their ability to provide knowledge and up to date snow information for all snow travelers. With that said and without hesitation we hopped in the bucket and happily took a road trip to Breckenridge Colorado to partake in the 2014 CAIC Annual Benefit Bash. Sharing our Voormi story with the local die-hard backcountry travelers was simply rad; supporting the CAIC was a pleasure. Solid people raised a grip of money for an excellent cause. We laughed, we danced, we got educated. Shoot, Kissle even took the opportunity to test out the Mammut Avalanche Bag...on stage...with the band performing. When in doubt, pull the cord and dance it out!
Just like that, it's winter again. We could feel it coming here at Voormi, that feeling of excitement met with a rush of finishing up the summertime/fall duties. We've been all over the Rocky Mountain Region meeting new friends that feel like family. As a certain firecracker shop owner stated….we found our "kindred spirits". We dropped off our custom, racks made from beetle kill wood into shops of all shapes and sizes. We shared our Voormi story with different folks in different towns.
We delivered beautiful garments while educating on what is sure to become household terms like Precision Blending and Surface Hardened Wool. We saw sunsets and sunrises on fresh landscapes and naturally we stopped to snap photos. The road was good to us and we look forward to visiting our new friends soon. Enjoy a road trip with friends this winter.
I would like nothing more than to start with the words "Voormi wins! Chili Untethered was the undisputed winner of the 2014 Durango Backcountry Experience Chili Cook-off!!" Instead, we tip our wool hats to Ben, the true champion of the event and proud owner of Backcountry Experience. Well done sir, well done indeed. The day got started with a brisk 5k run followed by some insanely delicious chili tasting.
Of course a few games of bags were played as well as some full on fencing, yea fencing…with swords and stuff...only in Colorado. Big thanks to all that came out as it was a beautiful blue bird day full of sweet vibes and awesome grub. At Voormi we enjoy tradition, and we thoroughly enjoyed the traditional fall chili cook off. We look forward to tweaking our recipe for a complete and dominate victory next year. Enjoy the top spot now Ben, cause we're coming for ya in 2016.
As the sheep were herded down from the heights of the epic San Juan mountains, the people cheered. The dogs kept check on the hundreds of sheep in their herd, and the people cheered. When the doors dropped on the VOORMI trailer, so too did the people cheer. Bayfield Heritage Days is an annual ritual that takes place in this sleepy southern Colorado town. It is inspiring to look back into the rich history of the fiber from which our entire collection is built upon. Against this backdrop stood our 2014 collection, consisting of ground-breaking base layers and tech thermals. Voormi gear is built upon the virtues of this historical process and thrust in to the 21st century via our own proprietary fabric construction techniques such as Precision Blending, DWR treatments, and technical knitting/weaving.
Our message was received loud and clear by all those in attendance; wool is inherently awesome, but has always needed something more. We have provided that something and the people cheered. Farmers, ranchers and herdsman alike tried on and purchased our gear. They recognized the potential for garments like our award winning High E and the all-new Drift Jacket to thrive in their daily work life within the rugged, southern San Juans. Sharing our story with the good people of Bayfield was refreshing. The entire day was a glimpse into the past, with a touch of what's to come in the future. Thank you Bayfield for the history lesson; we're looking forward to rhyming in the future. Stay wooly Bayfield.
Remaining loyal to our core values: domestic sourcing of Rocky Mountain Highcountry Merino Wool, innovative fabric construction, and superior craftsmanship has been a daunting task to say the least. Despite the challenges, here we stand; heading in to the coming fall with our first full collection of tech-tees, base-layers, and high performance Mid-Layers. Like Al Pacino said, "it's a game of inches," and the inches are adding up. While the reward may be sweet, it is the patience and understanding of our supporters that we are most grateful for.
It’s been a long time coming, but rest assured, the time is now. VOORMI Base-layers, Tech Tee’s, and the first of our Fall 2014 Mid-layer styles are available now at www.voormi.com. The next wave of product is on its way, and will include our award winning High E Hoodie as well as the new Drift jacket. It feels good to be here…but like all adventurers, the next ridge is beckoning! Thank you. Enjoy the day, get some.
The VOORMI Team
Pagosa Peak, elevation 12,646
Summer is still in full effect for the Voormi crew. We've been enjoying the long, warm days with grueling gear tests running up Pagosa Peak, mellow longboard cruiser runs, and various forms of wandering/exploring throughout nature. Camping has been epic, the rivers have been raging and with sunlight til 9 pm we can get a full day of work and some great hours of play in each day. These warm months provide quality work days and excellent apres work playtime. Travel is another essential aspect of the non snowy time for our crew. Alaska, Baja, Mogollon Rim, California as well as the Big Apple, have all been targets for surfing, hiking and exploring thus far.
For each adventure we pack our Voormi gear; mid layers and base layers all get tested in uniquely new environments during these warmer months. While we love traveling, we also enjoy exploring our own backyard. Laying in the bed of a pickup truck with the stars dancing and the moon shining, we are grateful for this wonderful San Juan Mountain backyard we call home. Enjoy the long days, relish the cool nights and give high fives often as the summer season continues. Have fun!
"Two hundred years of American Technology has unwittingly created a massive cement playground of unlimited potential. But it was the minds of 11 year olds that could see that potential." - Craig Stecyk 1975
Summer time. It means so many things to so many people. As Alice Cooper taught us there are no more teachers and no more books. Sublime told us that living is easy in the summertime. Even Fresh Prince reminds us of the aphrodisiac effects of summer. For those living in the mountains it can become a time to partake in the activities that simply can't happen in the winter. Hiking, biking, long boarding, all have a different feel in the summer; less clothes and more sun. The amount of time the sun is in the air is only matched by the amount of fun you can cram into these long days. Barbecues sizzle and cold refreshments pop. The energy of the season is palatable. The feel of grass between your toes reminds you of your connection to the earth. The asphalt blurs underneath your board. The alpine lakes sparkle. Summer is a magical time. As the traditions of summer unfold; we are excited to bring you along on our adventures as we frolic and play in the sun. The massive cement playground is open for the season….it's time to tap that potential.
"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!' -Robin Williams
Just as the first powder day solidifies the commitment to another winter season, spring slush days remind us of the unadulterated fun that can be had on snow regardless of the conditions. Springtime riding is as much about the turns you make as it is the company you keep. On deep pow days it can be said there are no friends, whereas as in the spring sessions, good friends are a requirement. Include some cold refreshments, side games like corn-hole and the ability to dork around with a goofy smile in the warm sunshine and spring will become a cherished time of year
Aside from bluebird skies and breathtaking sunsets/sunrises, spring is a time for choosing destinations to travel north and south chasing the white gold for more turns; choose yours. Goals and potential journeys for the summer are being declared; make yours. Sled rides and hikes are happening to get the remaining goods; join in. Stories and laughter are offered from goggle tanned faces as the days get longer and the turns get slushier; share a few. Spring is here; get some. It's party time; ENJOY!
Voormi Crew Member Kissle Missle enjoying the goods!
Once again the old adage "work hard, play hard" was implemented following our 10 day excursion to the Mile High City for the SIA show. We returned home to the San Juans and were greeted with 60+ inches from the latest storm cycle. We rode in bounds at Wolf from first chair to last call; it was an epic day.
The peak, the ridge, the waterfall area were all on FIRE with blower champagne snow! Terms like "head high" and "snorkel deep" were all applicable on this fine day. Wolf Creek you have once again outdone yourself. Thank you.
Buffalo Mountain. AKA Mushroom Mountain. Summit County Colorado.
After spending a week surrounded by buildings, we departed the Mile High City en route to the High Country, Copper Colorado. With the skyscrapers in the rear view mirror and fresh snow on our minds, it felt good to be transitioning from buildings to trees. Traditionally following the SIA is an on-snow demo to test next year's gear. This was the first year the demo was held at Copper Mountain. This new venue gave full mountain access to the demo riders. Our crew was psyched to ride some fresh snow with some of the rad people we met at SIA. Decked out in our Voormi prototype outerwear we shredded pow, bumps, trees and even some park laps for our token jib kid. We also took it back old school and rolled up on the vintage T-bar set-up to access some fun terrain.
The day was complete with hot dogs, free beer and plenty of Colorado sunshine; all in all, it was a pretty sweet demo day. As sweet as it was meeting some excellent people and awesome Colorado companies, we knew it was puking snow back home in the San Juans. As we retired to the condo for the night, we fell asleep knowing the work was almost done and that bottomless Wolf Creek powder was soon to be had. It's always nice going home. Thanks to Copper Mountain and all the companies who made the demo day smooth as butter on a warm english muffin. Cheers!
"Whoa…It's like the burning man of winter sports companies in here…" "Yup" I agreed as we walked onto the floor of the Colorado Convention Center several days prior to the start date of the 2014 SIA show. People wandered around, the carpet layouts of the booths were scattered everywhere. There was a futuristic feeling as people zoomed by in humming electric carts happily eating the waffles on a stick from their new found waffle friend. After scoping the area we returned to our large diesel truck pulling our even larger Voormi Trailer; our next mission involved driving this rig up a spiral drive way and through the large bay doors, followed by a wickedly tight u-turn. A couple quick and impressive moves of the wheel and our guy had placed the trailer exactly where it would remain for the next week. Nice skills driver.
We left the center for the day with not more than a handful of booths showing life. The next day the transformation had clearly begun. Booths began to rise all around our beautiful trailer. Within 2 days the entire convention center transformed into a little city of companies showing their latest gear. The next 4 days our crew took pleasure introducing our gear to people from all over the globe. With the help from some of our friends in Pagosa, we created a booth that received countless complimentary comments
The gear spoke for itself as we dragged our High E Hoodie sleeves across the rough stumps that surrounded our classic cauldron to the amazement of spectators. Despite our tight knit crew being outnumbered by the mannequins we had displaying our gear, we handled the masses quite gracefully. We look forward to next year's event as well as the inaugural Wool Company Cornhole Tournament that will certainly take place in 2015. Compliments to the cats over at Smart Wool for a well played game; we look forward to seeing you in the brackets next year. The Voormi crew enjoyed our first official visit to the SIA. Thank you to all of the staff and union workers who did what they do best. Tip of the hat to all our neighboring booths…it was swell. Most importantly, Thank you to those who enjoyed our show and tell. Stay classy Denver..
A new year is upon us. Maybe there is new snow on your local hill. Perhaps you have started a new venture in life. It's also possible that you have things lined up just the way you like 'em and you're slipping into the new year as if it was just another blissful day. However you choose to start the new year, we look forward to being there with you. The small batch mentality we take with our garments has allowed us to hear stories directly from the people wearing our wool. We are fascinated with the stories of travel and adventure that our signature High E hoodies have taken throughout the world.
2013 was our freshman year of retail, the tales of our extended Voormi family have amazed us. Our wool has traveled throughout the United States, north to Canada, south to Costa Rica and all over the European continent. People have discovered the value of wool and the phenomenon that is Voormi Precision Blending. Our product is providing comfort to those living and thriving in the elements. We are thankful for this response and we value the responsibility with a more comprehensive understanding of who wears our gear. As the calendar turns and we celebrate the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014 we would like to toast all of our extended Voormi Family as well as all the future family we will meet. Tell us where you take your Voormi. Live your life, Love your world and enjoy 2014….Year of the Wool.
Great location + fun times + awesome people = rad day. Whether it's work or play, this is a formula we use quite often here at Voormi. Last weekend we had all these elements working in full force. Meeting up in the Voormi parking lot high fives and smiles were shared by all despite the sub zero temperatures. After staring up at the morning sky enjoying the meteor shower, we loaded up the Voormi Trailer and headed off to Durango Mountain Resort Demo Day. Arriving early, we parked the beast and proceeded to stop, drop and open up shop right at the entrance to beautiful DMR. Amid a myriad of solid companies the Voormi Trailer looked right at home amongst the various tent set ups. Riders and skiers were privy to experiencing the latest gear from their favorite companies. We took turns making laps on the hill and thanks to a couple local shred heads named Sammy and Jackson we had a VIP tour. After a precarious day of showing off the latest in the Voormi line, we packed up the gear and made the trek home to Pagosa. Part of our belief system here at Voormi is to play at least as hard as you work.
The following day was a play day indeed. Drinking our coffee in the same parking lot as the day before, we plotted our tour. A line we hadn't ridden before was beckoning us to shred her first and that is exactly what we did. When your first turns are a little firm it's extremely relieving to sink your edge in and rip the soft stuff, spraying up white gold while dodging trees! Working our way to the next point we found a great little chute with super tight turns. Each turn had a surfy feel as we cruised along. Originally we had a few more lines planned but getting out proved more time consuming than predicted. We finished with a sweet little ride down a familiar bowl which leads into a crazy fast race course, chalked full of whoops, bumps, walls, and banked turns which dumps you out into the parking lot with a massive smile stretched across your face. Finishing the day with laughs recanting the top moments of the day over local brewed beer is the icing on the cake. Work hard, play hard and enjoy life with awesome people. Simple.
If this trailer is a rockin'....
COME on in!!!
Freshly upgraded, the Voormi Trailer 2.0 is ready for its inaugural retail season. This is no ordinary sled trailer; step inside and you'll notice the temperature is quite a bit warmer thanks to the bonus of a heater pumping warm air. The music will get you dancing as you stroll around exploring the exterior clothing racks. High E hoodies, Drift jackets and base layers line the walls of this mobile shopping unit. Top racks hold hats and the insanely popular Voormi pint glasses. The walls are adorned with larger than life photos of amazing places from around the world. Keep an eye out for this rugged beast in your neighborhood. We're like the ice cream man except we're offering the gear you need to handle your elements. Last week, we drove the trailer down to Durango to visit our friends at Backcountry Experience and celebrate the retail launch of Voormi within their store.
The BCE employees were smiling and dropping knowledge on customers who excitingly checked out the High-E hoodie and other Voormi gear for the first time. The response was overwhelmingly positive as people experienced Voormi and shopped inside our new rig. Once again, if this trailer is a rockin, it's most likely the result of "Calamity Jane" getting her balter on as she two steps to the beat blasting from the stereo. Enjoy the rockin, come on knocking and see what's goin on inside! We're psyched for the season and we can't wait to tour your neighborhood with our newest toy.
The company that plays together stays together. On Sunday, Nov 24th 2013 Voormi played from first chair to last call. Along with almost 3000 other anxious snow sliders the Voormi crew took a play day to enjoy the first official in-bounds pow session of the season at Wolf Creek. With storm totals approaching the four foot mark we had our Voormi base layers on and our expectations high as we arrived early to wait in line for our passes. When a place like Wolf is your home mountain; your backyard, you don't stress the crowds because you know all the spots. You know when to hit em throughout the day. You have a system...a plan to slash as much of the white fluff as possible. You know which lifts to start with and what lines to hike first. You know where to park and how early to get there so you're not waiting in the line that stretched down highway 160. You know which $4 homemade burrito to buy to start your day off. This is our home mountain and we love riding here. Getting some resort accessed powder instantly brings me back to some of my most early runs growing up. The energy is electric and you can't stop moving or smiling; this energy then converts to spontaneous dancing and an exorbitant amount of high fives as well as massive white wall sprays of snow. You charge lines and pop of pillows, smiling the whole time, completely engulfed in the moment; Zen and the art of powder if you will. However, with great powder comes great responsibility. Avalanches are serious. Our crew was rolling deep with transceivers and avy gear knowing full well the potential power this mountain has stored up. As always we are thankful to the efficient work of ski patrol before and during this storm to keep everyone safe. Next time you see a ski patroller, smile and thank them...they are the ones throwing bombs and making the area safe for you to get those bottomless turns. The snow is here, help yourself to a big 'ol bowl of clam powder! Have fun and be safe.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center main office is located in Boulder Colorado; however, the massive fiesta on November 9th took place up north in the heart of the River Walk in Breckenridge Colorado. The Voormi crew was in full force along with a sold out crowd of 1500+ backcountry enthusiasts to support the CAIC. Heavy hitters such as BCA and Osprey along with 131 companies were on hand to support the 6th annual CAIC Benefit Bash.
The CAIC is the oldest public avalanche program in the U.S., which began in 1973. The primary purpose of the CAIC is to " minimize the economic and human impact of snow avalanches on recreation, tourism, commerce, industry and the citizens of Colorado." Public education and forecasting are the primary tools used to achieve this purpose. With donations and contributions being the main funding source, this annual event is crucial to the CAIC. Colorado has on average 2300 plus avalanches and 6 deaths per year. The CAIC is a critical aspect to safety in the unforgiving backcountry. This event was a fundraiser to support the cause and we were proud to be a part of the night's activities.
Our host for the evening was dressed to impress in his 3-piece suit saved only for special events, such as this fundraiser and his wedding. Aaron was a gracious, articulate host who fed the crowd a solid amount of fresh gear and kept the energy high. With furious live bidding as one option, guests also had an amazing array of choices to place silent bids on as well. Full avalanche packs, season passes, several boards/skis/splitboards and a plethora of other items had been graciously donated by the sponsors of the event. A fierce bidding war ensued on the burly Voormi High E hoodie with Point 6 sock combo package that was available for silent auction. Happy as always to support a positive cause, we are grateful to the CAIC and the services they provide. We are also extremely grateful for those who attended in an effort to support the CAIC. The event went off without a hitch; great food from local restaurants and delicious Fat Tire beer made for happy people. Big props to the High Country Conservation Center who were able to keep the nights waste limited to (1) bag trash (3) bags recycle and the rest went to compost. Solid work.
As is the nature of our crew here at Voormi, we took this road trip from Pagosa to Breckenridge as an opportunity to do something outdoors and awesome. We decided to climb some ice at Hoosier Pass. After several ascents up the ice formations, we watched as the sun dropped below the snow-topped peaks, signifying our trip had come to an end. We loaded our gear into the truck and returned to our home in the San Jauns. A big thank you to the CAIC and all of the supporting companies. To those in attendance we also thank you. Stable lines for everyone as we excitingly enter the 2013/2014 winter season. Be safe.
982 miles. 1 dog. 3 states. 50 tons of snow. Welcome to Mesa, Arizona home of the 5th Annual 2013 Ski Pro "Pro Rider Rail Jam". Shredders from all over this land piled into planes, trains and automobiles to come experience a good 'ol fashioned jib session under the Southwest sky. Indeed this was a unique way to kick-off the "winter" season. While other resorts were opening, including our own beloved Wolf Creek, the decision to attend this unique contest in the Valley of the Sun was declared and the journey began. The set up process was in full swing on the afternoon of the event as we rolled into the massive parking lot. Ski Pro is located at 1924 W Rio Salado Pkwy; a generous size section of the parking lot was fenced off, providing a home for the contest. The fences were lined with bright colored vinyl banners touting the names of all those who sponsored the event. Inside the fence, we stepped into another world. Massive scaffolding provided ample drop in ramps. Ski Pro employees worked feverishly, securing the 3 features. A wooden quarterpipe would provide a bonus trick area as well as an excellent vantage point for the judges, which included guest judge and snowboarding legend Devun Walsh. The next process would involve a large tanker type truck with a beefy snowblowing hose attachment. The company providing the snow was Urban Rail Jam Project. As the crew braced themselves, the entire structure was blasted with gorgeous, cold, white gold. Quickly, the truck unloaded the promised 50 tons of snow and the crew shaped it into perfection. The stage was set. The riders appeared. Instructions were spoken. Using a common surfing format, the riders were split into multiple heats for all out jam sessions. When the names for heat #1 were called the competitors anxiously rushed the sketchy stairs of the scaffolding. Ascending the flights to the highest drop in option, the first rider of the night strapped in and waited for the green light
A talented MC from Ski Pro graciously handled the mic, keeping the rowdy AZ crowd entertained and informed. Connected to the contest area on an elevated platform was a perfectly simple set-up consisting of a DJ and a drum kit who provided the music for the night. Looking out you could see the stoke in the eyes of all those in attendance, after all, it was opening day in the desert! It was beautiful. With the crowd roaring and the music pumping, the MC threw down the universal arm drop signifying "let's do this"! and the first rider dropped into a smooth, timeless nosepress on the DC tube feature followed with a solid air to fakie on the QP and the contest was officially underway. Heat after heat the riders continued to shred into the night under the insanely bright stadium lights. Smiles and friendly encouragement raged as the contestants got busy on the Vitamin Water flat down bar, the DC tube box and the Skull Candy, flat-down-flat combo box, until a select few were chosen for the finals. This elite group of riders duked it out in front of the vivacious crowd and the watchful eyes of the judges. A smorgasbord of tricks were executed all night ranging from solid basics to switch combo everything. Multiple flips were thrown down and riders took various unique approaches to the features. After all the tricks were exhausted and each rider's style examined, the top rider was named. Curtis Hill took home first place and an oversized Happy Gilmore style check for the amount of 500 bones. A respectable 2nd place finish for Eric Eggleston and rounding out the top 3 was Drayden Gardner. Sam Hornett was awarded a first place finish for the skier division. The high ollie contest was dominated by Nick Howser, who finished with a height well over 40 inches and the reward of a new K2 shred stick. October 19th 2013, opening day in Mesa Arizona. Thank you Larry. Thank you for this concept and the extremely capable crew that executed a unique, scintillating start for the 2013/2014 season.
Quite a night at the Something Independent Wright Awards! Now in its third year, the award is all about celebrating Colorado companies "operating at the intersection of lifestyle and commerce". Pretty amazing actually when we finally had a chance to see the list of contenders… 14 brands pulled down from over 200 across the state.. challenged to "make the judges believe" in a 90 second video. Check out ours here:
The place was full of amazingly cool people up to some amazingly cool things. From the home grown Alamosa based Colorado Malting Company, to our new friends at Fishpond/Lilypond.. it was amazing to see craft and innovation sprouting from just about every obscure corner of the state.>
In the end, it came down to 3 finalists and a nerve racking "on-stage Q&A" in front of the over 250 people packed in to Session Kitchen (a soon to be "spot" in the Cherry Creek district of Denver)….Good thing the guys from Peach Street Distillers were there to give us some sweet brown confidence, as we did our best to tell the judges what we're all about.
Now for the drum roll…. VOORMI walked away with the vote of the judges and the $6000 purse! We couldn't be more proud to stand amongst all the amazing companies there, and be recognized what we've been up to over the last few years. Now… off to put that $$$ towards making some more High-e's!!!
"Parking lot 6 am. Be there" This is not an invitation to fight but rather a cherished phrase I have come to relish. To me, these words let me know I am going to be doing something awesome that day; inevitably the earlier the start time the more awesome the day proves to be. On this day Oct 5, 2013 it was no exception as the Voormi crew traveled to Durango, Colorado to participate in the 3rd annual Chili Chase 5K & Chili Cook Off event hosted by Backcountry Experience. With the sky dark and the air frigid cold, I was grateful for the warmth my High-E hoodie provided as we loaded up the trailer with the basicgear for a cook off....Voormi product, a tent and a rather beefy, large 500lb cast iron, hanging cauldron. Cooking chili in a crock pot will do the job but for our signature 4 Shooter Elk Chili, it seemed appropriate that we cook it up in this oversized cauldron in the same fashion we would under a starry night on the Voormi compound. The drive from Pagosa to Durango is always pleasant and this morning was no exception as we watched the sun gradually work it's way into position for its day shift. Arriving early we were greeted warmly by the faces of Backcountry Experience, a premiere outdoor shop in Durango. Ben the shop owner and event creator was in prime form with a childlike grin on his face from sun up to the time we left him as he wrapped up the final pieces of the event; he was in his element with the combination of home-cooked food and outdoor exercise. He explained this was his passion; to bring together the community with food and adventure. Once we tasted his chili creation we knew it must be true that he had been working and tweaking his formula for months! With Backcountry Experience being the backbone of his passion, he has blended a perfection of ingredients to provide a fantastic resource to the local outdoor enthusiasts. Another employee of the shop was Ken who seemed to be enjoying himself as much as Ben as he organized and conducted the set-up with the skill and precision of a seasoned maestro. Seeing him with his dad working the event reminded us of how important family and community is to Voormi and we joyfully looked forward to future events of the 2013/2014 season.
This year's event had more than double the previous year's total chili entries; no doubt rumors of the positive energy exemplified by Ben and his employees fueled the overwhelming success of this year's event. When all the votes were in and all the farts were released it was J-Bo's Pizza who took the first place title away from the reigning champions Team Osprey and Ben. In a classy move even Ron Burgundy would have been proud of, J-Bo's Crew immediately donated the prize money back to the cause of the event, the San Juans Mountain Association. I noticed as we broke down the event that smiles were on the faces of all those in attendance. We tipped our hats to Ben and his crew. The shop employees were friendly and we enjoyed seeing their excitement as they put on for the first time the Voormi High-E hoodie and experienced our perfected combination of wool and synthetics. Knowing that Backcountry Experience will be carrying a full Voormiline by the end of October seemed to bring as much stoke to the enthusiastic crowd as it did to us. Durango is a phenomenal town and Backcountry Experience is an exceptional shop. Good people, great food and a love for life made the day's event an unquestionable success. Thank you to everyone involved and for including us. Voormi is looking forward to the 2014 contest and taking a place on the chili podium. When you come to a Voormi event this season and we're cooking chili...give us some feedback...we're preparing for 2014!
With our long awaited Fall debut right around the corner, we couldn't be more proud to make Outside Magazine’s 2013 Winter Buyer’s Guide! The guide, a go-to resource for what's new in the world of gear, features Outside’s top picks out of countless new products from leading brands.
A feature like this is no easy feat. Editors and evaluators spent months torture-testing the latest and greatest the industry had to offer... from hard goods and outerwear to apparel and accessories, and everything in between. Needless to say, we're beyond stoked to have made the cut, and see VOORMI's new High-E Hoodie featured in the Backcountry section as the perfect companion for in-bounds touring and uphill travel.
And things are moving here at HQ. Over the next month and a half, plan on seeing some exciting things coming out of Pagosa Springs. From VOORMI's first ever collaborations project, featuring graphic tees from some amazing local artists, to the launch of our new e-commerce enabled website, we're planning to close out the month with plenty of momentum in to fall.
As for the much-anticipated delivery of our official Fall 2013 collection, we're looking at mid-November, so be sure to check back in here on a regular basis for the latest info. Until then, enjoy a "behind the curtain" peek in to production of our collaboration tee's.
Dustin English - VOORMI CXO and Alaska Mountaineering School (AMS) Guide, checks in from the 100 year anniversary of Denali's first ascent. Here is what he had to say about the trip: "This year on Denali was the 100 year anniversary for the first ascent of the mountain. I was fortunate enough to be one of the guides to go with a team of 6 climbers who were direct decedents of the original team.
We retraced the original route starting at Wonder Lake hiking across the tundra to McGonagall Pass, then up the Muldrow Glacier to Karsten's Ridge. We then climbed Karsten's Ridge to gain the Harper Glacier. From the Harper we went up to Denali Pass and joined the 'normal' (West Buttress route) to the summit. Once summiting we retraced our route back down all the way to Wonder Lake. The trip took a total of 27 days."
Winter 2013 was a great snow year here in the San Juans!
The Northern and Central Colorado Mountains are finally catching up after a slow start to winter, and a huge spring.
Loveland Ski Area Snow Stake Cam tops out over 15" as of 2pm on Wednesday, May 1st, amounting to over 2 feet in 48 hours.
While the Central and Northern Colorado mountains are enjoying a powder day, our team is migrating far north, closer to the Voormi's origins near the Arctic Circle.
Stay tuned for dispatches from Denali. Our managing director splits his time as a guide for Alaska Mountaineering School, and will be reporting live from the field.
Spring is here in Colorado. With the snowpack stabilizing and daytime temperatures whittling away at the base, it's the perfect time for getting in some end of season snow.
The dedicated team we are, and needing to squeeze a few more hours on our F13 protos, we decided to gather up some willing participants, loosen them up with a few brews from our friends at Ska, and go get some "serious work" done up on Molas.
Springtime in the Northern San Juan Range is the perfect testing ground. With a 40-degree daily temperature swing and plenty of gusty wind, our crew got a first-hand experience of the product as our friends at Silverton Powdercats provided some much appreciated transportation.
The morning was blustery and cold, but the sun managed to reach full force by noon, softening the snow and heating just about everything up. No problem for us, as the High-E Hoodie was born for these conditions. The Surface Hardened Rocky Mountain raised wool managed to take these extremes head on, making it the perfect action suit for this time of year.
As most good days end, ours finished off by digging out our hidden stash, kept perfectly cold all day buried in the snow under the shade of a tree by the parking lot. Good thing we brought those shovels….
As winter 2013 slowly winds down, it feels like things are just getting warmed up here at VOORMI.
Following on the heels of a successful trade show tour last month, we're hitting the road again.
This time we'll be meeting with specialty retailers across the region to finalize plans for the Fall 2013 retail season, as well as continue to spread the good word. For all of you out there wondering what this means in terms of you being able to find VOORMI gear at your local retail store, here's a little update.
At the moment, retailers are finalizing their buying plans for the upcoming fall season (Fall 2013). While these decisions are based primarily on what they've seen at the trade shows, there ARE some last minute decisions to be made in the next few weeks.
As we hit the road, we're interested in knowing where YOU like to shop. That is, what retailers in your area do you feel do an amazing job, and where would you like to see VOORMI next fall? While we're out, we'll try and do our best to drop in on those places!
To help us, please visit our Facebook page and give a shout out to your favorite specialty retailer, and be sure share some beta with them about VOORMI if you happen to know anybody in the shop!
The Winter trade show season has officially ended!
Although we skipped ISPO and decided to stay stateside, we did manage to hit both the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake, and the SIA 'Snow Show' in Denver. Prime opportunities to highlight our new line of backcountry-inspired, technical wool base and mid layers for Fall 2013!
Looking back on the past month, it's been a whirlwind to say the least. Between retail appointments, media pitches, and putting the finishing touches on the collection, it seems like we've been on the road more than we've been home…
Lucky for Megan, she got to hang back in the Southern San Juans. Huge thanks to her for toughing it out in the 8-FEET of fresh we received over the past month.
Shout out and extra special thanks to all the retailers and other key folks we met over the past few weeks.
The amazing response from both snow and outdoor specialty retailers, as well as a host of influential media-types has kept us fueled as we continue building to next fall.
Can't wait!!
The dust has settled and the band's all packed and gone. In fact, we're all packed and gone too… off to the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City. Never a dull moment!
MEANTIME WANTED TO PASS ALONG A HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE IT OUT TO OUR LAUNCH PARTY LAST FRIDAY NIGHT IN PAGOSA.
It was absolutely an amazing opportunity for the local community to rally around what we've been up to for the last three years.
Things kicked off full-on VIP style with a sneak peak into the Fall 2013 line up. From the Thermal I & II base layers to the High E Series, it was our long awaited opportunity to share the collection of we've worked so hard to build over the last three years.
As the night went on things just got better, as over 200 (!) guests descended on our parking lot to enjoy food, music, some great local beer from Pagosa Brewing Co, a warm fire, and general revelry.
Early…ish….the next morning, some folks hit Wolf Creek ski area (special thanks again to the Pitchers for helping out with media lift tickets), while another group went hunting for some fresh just over the pass (we'd tell you where…but then, well...). Bluebird skies and deep powder, the first warm temps in weeks, the finest domestically sourced and manufactured wool clothing, a few PBRs, and there you have it. The recipe for the perfect end to an epic weekend.
Extra special thanks to Degelman's Red Wagon Grill for the amazing food, Osprey Packs, Sheepshead Cabin and Point6 merino socks for the primo raffle prizes; our friends, family and team for pulling together and pulling it off, and to all those who traveled far and wide to make our 'coming out' party a raging success. Until next time... Cheers!