In this update:
1. Tips for snowboarding with the PL1
2. New rope bags have arrived and we're testing a handy new attachment for the rope bag frame
3. Making International Connections: Skinnovation Recap
We've had a busy Spring season and we're excited to be taking advantage of the longer days to ski laps of corn snow and test out some new accessories for the PL1. We've been trying to get out as much as we can lately and we've been eager to show the folks we meet in the backcountry our product so that they can try it for themselves. We had a great experience meeting skiers and splitboarders and getting their feedback after trying the PL1 for the first time. This sort of immediate user feedback is extremely important to us and led us to put together some tips for snowboarders/splitboarders who want to get the best experience possible with the PL1.
Tips for snowboarding with the PL1
- Use a harness. This goes for skiers too, and it saves you a lot of energy on the ride up.
- Aim the PL1 so that the slack rope that piles up at the start of your ascent doesn't pile up on your snowboard.
- If you're starting from a slope, wait until you feel the rope get taught and it starts to pull you before pointing your board uphill. It can be helpful to use your board to dig yourself a flat shelf to start from. You can also start from your knees and pop up when you start to feel the tug of the rope.
New Rope Bags and Frame Attachment
We have new rope bags and they're not just branded with our logo, they also include a handy loop on the inside for you to tie the rope to.
We're also addressing some issues with the rope bag frame with a new attachment that we have been testing recently. If you struggle to keep the rope bag frame hanging from your belt or pocket, we made a nifty little clip that can be easily attached to the rope bag frame.
Making International Connections: Skinnovation Recap
In our last update we were excited to announce that we were attending Skinnovation in Innsbruck, Austria. We had a great time in the Tyrolean Alps, and we met a lot of great people during our trip! It was important for us to show off the PL1 in Europe and make connections with European skiers and snowboarders in the business community. There are some very innovative products and services coming out of Europe right now and it was enlightening to meet with so many of the entrepreneurs, engineers and business leaders behind it all. We gained a lot of valuable insights into the European ski industry that will be helpful as we continue to try to bring our products to the European market.
If you missed us while we were in Austria, please don't hesitate to reach out and talk to us. We had a lot of productive conversations, but we're still seeking partnerships with businesses that are interested in distributing the Zoa PL1 to new customers in Europe or using the PL1 as part of their mountain operations.
Speaking of travel, the ski season is about to get started in the Southern Hemisphere and we'd love to hear from skiers and snowboarders in New Zealand, Australia and Chile! While we currently offer shipping to New Zealand, Australia and Chile, we would love to expand our business in your part of the world as well. We would love to hear from businesses in any part of the world who want to help skiers and snowboarders ski more laps using the PL1.
Thanks for keeping up with our progress.
Let it snow,
Zoa Engineering Team