The week before the SIA (SnowSports Industries America) tradeshow, the biggest trade event of its kind in North America, I received a lot of advice. "Bring your liver," said one Toronto based editor, "stay away from the energy drinks," said another, "you'll be pulled around like a tug-o-war, and there'll be lots of high fives for sure," was written in an email I got last week. The words of wisdom were varied but all ended the same way "don't worry, it's fun your first time." Though the advice was unsolicited I took it seriously given that it was coming from people who have been to the show more times than they can count.

The expertise of the long time show goers proved to be on point. Days at SIA are extremely long, and go by faster than a bullet train in Tokyo. If there were an SIA bullet train the stops would be Dakine, Oakley and close to 1000 other snow brands rather than Shibuya and Shinjuku. With exhibitors, buyers, media and athletes on site plenty of high fives are slapped and product is proudly displayed. The days consist of a succession of meetings from 9 to 5 and there is no such thing as a break at SIA. While on your way from one meeting to the next, or sitting down to lunch you are bound to run into someone you know. Once you've made your way through the maze of booths and people you find the need to rub your blistered toes and do some good people-watching. My people-watching highlight was a glimpse of skier, Glenn Plake's mohawk of ridiculous proportions. In addition to all the bro-ing down there are also several clinics on various topics. Our Creative Director, Roberta Rodger, was asked to give one on the topic of women's snowboarding its exposure to a wider audience and the rise of female-specific equipment. Dean Seguin and I were also on hand but more for moral support than anything else.

Forget the Tokyo bullet train and the imaginary SIA train, the only real train to be on in Vegas is the party train. On top of the typical casino insanity which includes but is not limited to grannies playing the slots at 4 a.m., and hostesses dressed (not really dressed so much as undressed) in white leather minis and bra tops SIA brings a whole whack of parties to town. On Tuesday night the Snowboard Canada crew hit up the 686 party at Rum Jungle along with 600 hundred of our closest friends. In light of their recent collaboration with New Balance 686 was giving out free shoes. The female part of our crew was a little bummed because there were only men's sizes 9-11, but the guys were stoked, and lacing 'em up right there in the bar. From there it was "man sized" drinks for the guys, and bottles of Voss for Roberta and I. Other parties during the week included the Volcom crew with Tweak Bird, Snoop Dog, and Redman to mention just a few.

The party of all parties in Vegas is the Transworld Rider's Poll. It was awesome to see the cover girl of our current issue, Marie France Roy take home not 1 but 2 awards for Women's Video Part of the Year and Readers' Choice. After cleaning up last year MFR had few words for her acceptance speeches, but I was stoked to hear her give props to Female Rider of Year, Jamie Anderson. Another Canadian, Raewyn Reid took Rookie of the Year. Other Canadian lady pros in the house included Spencer O'Brien, Leanne Pelosi, Robin Van Gyn, Nat Gough and Annie Boulanger. After the award winning was over Jamie Lynn and his band hit the stage and everyone else hit their beverage of choice. 

Was SIA in Vegas fun the first time? Yes it was, and with the show moving to Denver next year I guess I'll never know how good the second time around will be.