Better Get Some: Tariff Refund Portal Opens

by The Editors on April 20, 2026

After a ridiculous tariff policy that he didn’t even understand, Felon 47 gets to watch as $166 billion of that money goes right back to the importers it was stolen from in the first place thanks to a new online portal from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to a story on Gizmodo.

Now, CBP said in court filings that importers paid roughly $166 billion in tariffs under Trump’s unconstitutional policy. . . The agency says it will process refunds in phases, according to its website. The first round will focus on tariffs that have been paid but not yet finalized because they’re still under federal review, as well as some that are within 80 days of finalization. Later phases will handle older, fully finalized tariffs.

There are so many business owners who voted for the clown. Hopefully, after this they’ll at least think about it before making more bad decisions in the future.

[Link: Gizmodo]

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What’s Nike SB Been Up To?

by The Editors on April 19, 2026

Seems Nike SB is Creased, by Johnny Wilson. “Twelve skaters. Five cities. Two photographers and a filmer. The Nike SB Air Force 1. Re-engineered for skateboarding.” Enjoy.

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Snowboard Documentary Discussions

by The Editors on April 19, 2026

OG snowboarding lensman Dano Pendygrasse and writer/editor Colin White joined a crew of snowboarding’s capture crew for a group discussion at the Whistler Museum on April 13, 2026 to talk shop, according to story in Pique Newsmagazine.

Snowboarding is cool. It’s radical, dynamic, and colourful. But we, the non-boarder population, only really know that because there are people there to capture it. . . That documentarian role was the focus of an April 13 panel Whistler Museum, where a multi-generational panel explored how snowboard culture in Whistler has been captured and shared.

It’s always nice to get together and talk story about the good ol’ days of shred. For more from all those involved, click the link.

[Link: Pique Newsmagazine]

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Pipeline: A Peter King (K.I.N.G.) Film

by The Editors on April 17, 2026

Got a spare hour on a Friday afternoon? Here’s a great way to burn it thanks to former MTV host Peter King.

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Vail Resorts Sued by 2,000 Instructors

by The Editors on April 17, 2026

It just couldn’t happen to a better company, but over 2,000 current and former ski and snowboard instructors have joined a “collective action Fair Labor Standards Act lawsuit” against Vail Resorts according to a story in Ski Area Management.

Quint et al. v. Vail Resorts, Inc., was first filed in 2020 by three Beaver Creek employees, two ski instructors and one lift ticket scanner, who allege Vail Resorts violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by not paying snowsports instructors for time spent traveling between work sites, putting on and taking off gear and equipment, and attending training, as well as not being reimbursed for costs of work-related equipment purchases and cell phone use.

Apparently, 24,000 employees were eligible to join the suit, but the deadline to join was April 15, 2026 so if you’re not in on it you’re out. Good luck to the employees. The days of ripping off seasonal workers need to end. Especially now that resort workers don’t really have many options when it comes to where they can work.

[Link: SAM]

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USA Surfing Back To USA Olympic Surfing

by The Editors on April 15, 2026

The OC’s favorite surf writer Layland Connelly has the scoop on the latest from the USA Surfing’s battle to administer surfing in the LA Olympics. Yes, USA Surfing is the official national governing body (or NGB as they say) for surfing now, according to the OC Register.

“Surfing is a sport that has deep roots in Southern California, and will no doubt be a highlight of the LA28 games,” Gene Sykes, USOPC chair, said Wednesday during the board meeting briefing. “The obligation of the NGB is significant, and the process by which we determine capabilities in the long and short term is one we take very seriously. USA Surfing’s new leadership and new approach has made this moment possible.”

It really shouldn’t be this difficult, but it’s the Olympics so it is. For all the details, click the link.

[Link: OC Register]

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RIP: Snowboard Ambassador Paul Alden

by The Editors on April 12, 2026

Snowboarding would not be the same today without the hard, caring work of Paul Alden (shown at the SIA Skullcandy booth in 2009). Mr. Alden died April 9, 2026 from injuries suffered after a slip in his home, according to a post from his son, Skullcandy founder Rick Alden. Mr. Alden was 89.

“My father, Paul Prince Alden, passed away yesterday morning,” Rick said on Instagram. “He slipped in his home, striking his C2 spinal cord on the edge of his desk, rendering him immediately quadriplegic. Our sister Carole began compressions immediately, keeping him alive until he could be stabilized on a respirator. . . About 36 hours after his fall, and in accordance with the directives outlined in his DNR order, his respirator was removed.”

In the mid 1980s, at a time when the wild, punk rock kids of snowboarding needed an adult in the room, Mr. Alden was there to communicate with ski resorts in a calm, consistent, persistent, business-minded style that helped open US resorts to snowboarding. While working at Burton Snowboards, Paul’s kind attention to snowboarding and snowboard competition, helped usher in the biggest boom winter sports has ever seen. In retirement Alden went on to be a Level 2 certified snowboard instructor at Targhee for 22 years, bought a ski resort, and consulted with many movers in Action Sports and business. We are forever grateful for his guidance, support, and true love for the sport and all the people involved.

Our thoughts are with the entire Alden family. Especially, his wife of 67 years, Sharon.

According to story on Eye on Sun Valley:

Alden is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Clarisse; and Scott, a son. He is survived by his wife Sharon; his children Mary (Jim) Moore, Carole (Doug) Andersen, David Alden, Rick Alden, and Clare Chadwick; 25 grandchildren; and 37 great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held Friday April 17 from 6-8 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse at 135 East 2000 South in Orem, Utah. Funeral services will follow Saturday April 18, with a viewing prior to the 11 a.m. services from 10-10:45 a.m. Interment will be in the Alpine (Utah) City Cemetery.

(Snowboarder Mag) Snowboarding Pioneer Paul Alden Has Died At The Age Of 89

(Idaho Stateman) Remembering Paul Alden: Man with Idaho ties helped get fringe sport into Olympics

(Deseret News) A pioneer in the rise of competitive snowboarding dies

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Burton CEO John Lacy Steps Off

by The Editors on April 8, 2026

John Lacy, the CEO of Burton Snowboards is reportedly leaving the company after 29 years, according to story on MSN.com.

A Burton spokesperson confirmed Lacy’s planned departure, saying: “John and Donna have come to a mutual decision that it is time for John to pursue his next chapter beyond his role as CEO. He will remain with Burton through the end of June to support a smooth transition.

Donna Carpenter will apparently step in as interim CEO, as she does. And hey, with AI here, who really needs an extra person on the payroll?

[Link: MSN.com]

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Zumiez Closing 25 More Stores in 2026

by The Editors on March 29, 2026

Core mall retailer Zumiez (aka “trendy clothing chain”) is responding to the failing health of malls by closing 25 stores in 2026, according to a story on KTLA5.

Last year, Zumiez shuttered 17 stores, and CEO Richard Brooks told investors the company plans to close another 25 locations in 2026, 20 of them in the United States. . . He said the closures aren’t a reflection of slowing demand, but rather a strategic shift away from underperforming shopping malls, many of which have struggled to recover foot traffic lost during the pandemic and amid the continued growth of online shopping.

With around 700 more stores to go Zumiez has room to contract for a while before anything gets too worrisome. After all, Tom Campion and Gary Haakenson started with only one store.

[Link: KTLA5]

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Super-Mega Passes Get Class Action Sued

by The Editors on March 25, 2026

The two corporations who own the global snow resort business with their Super-Mega Passes (Alterra Mountain Company and Vail Resorts Inc.) have been sued (again), this time in the U.S. District Court of the District of Colorado, according to a story in KDVR News.

The lawsuit was filed against Vail Resorts, Inc. and Alterra Mountain Company, alleging the companies unfairly increased prices and used bundling tactics with their multi-mountain season passes. . . “For years, skiers have been told that soaring lift‑ticket prices, reduced choice, and overcrowding are simply the new reality. Our complaint alleges that these outcomes are not the result of healthy competition, but of exclusionary conduct by two companies that dominate access to the most desirable destinations,” said Greg Asciolla, Chair of DiCello Levitt’s Antitrust and Competition Litigation Practice.

The suit basically alleges everything that we called out in our old post “The Sinister Plot Behind The Super Mega Pass,” and. . . no duh.

Vail Resorts, of course, disagrees saying in a statement that: “We believe these claims are without merit. We launched the Epic Pass in 2008 to make skiing and riding more accessible, reducing the price of a season pass by 60%. We’re proud that 18 years later, it’s still one of the best values in the industry, especially following our further 20% price reduction in 2021.”

Vail’s math on value, while arguable, is in reality quite wrong. The discounts only appear if you use both inflated daily lift tickets prices and inflated skier days into the equation. If you can’t tell, we hope DeCello Levitt wins this lawsuit, however unlikely that may be, because there should be a cost to ruining the resort experience for everyone worldwide.

For a deeper dive into the lawsuit check out Stuart Winchester’s breakdown on The Storm Ski Journal and Podcast substack.

[Link: KDVR.com]

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