SAM Magazine-Lakewood, Colo., Dec. 6, 2011-Several new product suppliers and a growing list of organizations are backing Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM) this January. The support broadens the program's outreach to newcomers and adds to the promotional possibilities. LSSM executive director Mary Jo Tarallo anticipates that this growing support, along with resorts' efforts, will lift LSSM trials to more than 150,000 this winter. More than 300 winter resorts are involved in the program.

Head Wintersports, for the second year a major LSSM sponsor, has launched an active promotion among its rep and dealer networks and its customer base. New product supplier/partners include Icelantic, Snow Dragon, Boulder Gear, Hotronic, Icebreaker, Polarmax and Seirus, with additional support from Giro, Killtec, Rossignol, K2, Marker, Volkl, Tecnica, 686, Scarpa, Scott Sports, and C3 Worldwide. Elan and Dalbello support the LSSM promotional activities of program ambassador Glen Plake.

The latest association to join the effort: the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA). It is promoting LSSM through a series of videos featuring team members. SnoCountry Ski Areas Association and Cross Country Ski Areas Association are using their media outreach to promote LSSM as well.

Other significant new support is coming from buying groups Snowsports Specialists, Ltd (SSL), Snowsports Merchandising Corporation (SMC), Nation's Best Sports (NBS), and Sports, Inc. Several rep associations are again backing the program, including Eastern Winter Sports Reps Association, New England Winter Reps Association, Western Winter Sports Reps Association and Southeaster Winter Reps Association.

Industry media support is growing, too. Outside and Peaks magazines join Powder, Mountain, SKI, Skiing, Transworld Snowboarding, Skier News, Ski Area Management, Ski Patrol magazine, 32 Degrees, SnoCountry, OnTheSnow.com, the Ski Channel,and many others who are supporting LSSM with advertising, promotions and editorial. LSSM is working with Liftopia to enhance outreach among current skiers and snowboarders. \