TSL SNOWSHOES

TSL Snowshoes grows into new Headquarters

2009-09-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

(Williston, Vermont 10-1-09) – Here at TSL Snowshoes we have completed the move to a new state of the art production facility. The move more than doubles our previous office and production space.

“We are very excited about the growth of our business as well as moving to a new facility. The move allows us to continue to expand and improve our core products and explore new avenues to increase revenue,” said Ted McGuinness, President of TSL Snowshoes.

“Snowshoeing is a very economic friendly activity. The barriers to entry are minimal and once the initial snowshoe purchase is complete, it only takes a little snow and some ambition to get out and use the product,” continues McGuinness. “It gives us great pleasure to help our customers keep fit without breaking the bank.”

“Vermont has a long history in the snowshoe industry and we are proud to carry on the tradition,” comments McGuinness. “We are more than happy to share our success with the local community through employment opportunities and continued emphasis on regional sourcing of raw materials.”

After taking down some unneeded racking and quite a bit of set-up, everything is back in order and production is underway. We’re already filling this season’s orders, so keep an eye out for TSL Snowshoes at your local outdoor store. We’ll also keep you up to date on local events you can find us at throughout the winter months.

TSL Snowshoes eco-friendly production

2009-02-25T13:41:00.006-05:00

TSL in both the US and Europe have always taken the eco-friendly approach by keeping production close to their prospective markets. The US market is serviced from Vermont and the European market is serviced from France. TSL on both sides of the Atlantic source as much of their raw materials locally as technology will allow. This approach is 2 fold. One, it reduces transportation and secondly it stimulates the local economy.

70% of all the materials used in producing the Vermont made aluminum snowshoes is sourced in Vermont. All the decking material is made from 100% recycled material.

For the 2009-2010 season, TSL introduce the 325 Nature. 95% of the Nature's components are manufactured on site at the TSL snowshoes facility in Annecy, France. All the plastic components are made using production rejects and composite snowshoes that have reached the end of their product life. The strapping system is made from natural bamboo fibers and even the front badge is made from bio polypropylene (70% biodegradable potato starch).

TSL Snowshoes is committed to producing the highest quality products while using environmentally conscious production processes.

TSL Snowshoes - Success in Providence

2009-02-13T09:50:00.004-05:00

The infamous Shaw & Heald sales group had their official debut as TSL sales representatives this week at the New England Ski show in Providence, RI. The weakened economy was not apparent in Shaw & Heald's overflowing trade show booth.

TSL's Vermont made snowshoes were very popular among show guests. The domestically produced and local sourcing aspect of the business was very well received. As jobs in New England are being cut on a daily basis it is nice to support a growing business which is helping create new jobs as well as supporting local suppliers.

TSL Nordic race Snowshoe - The future of snowshoe racing

2009-02-03T13:28:00.003-05:00

TSL's patented Nordic Step-in snowshoe race systems is climbing to the top of the podium in races across the globe. The system eliminates the use of cumbersome binding straps by using spring loaded step-in pins on the snowshoes and recessed receptacles on the boot. The options for boots may appear to be slim, however, TSL technology allows us to convert your personal and preferred running footwear to be compatible with the snowshoes.

Snowshoeing - The Benefits

2008-12-02T13:48:00.005-05:00

Snowshoeing is not only a great way to enjoy the outdoors, it is a clinically proven activity to work the entire body. How much work depends on you!

You can burn as few as 420 cal/hr by leisurely walking on packed/flat trails to as many as 775 cal/hr by adding some fresh powder and hilly terrain. For those who want to push the limit, try going for a brisk run using the TSL step in running snowshoes and you could burn nearly 900 cal/hr! By comparison, X-C skiing on flat terrain will consume around 600 cal/hr.

Every aspect of snowshoeing will work a different muscle group. For instance breaking trail and climbing will have your quads and hip flexors burning for more. The descents will work the hamstrings. By simply adding poles to your regime you will work the chest, triceps and biceps, not to mention adding stability in variable terrain.

In summary, there are multiple benefits to snowshoeing. Starting with a wallet friendly equipment purchase, to a low impact, highly aerobic activity, you now have a viable alternative for maximum winter conditioning.

Economy scaring you? Go Snowshoeing!

2008-11-24T16:28:00.004-05:00

The downward spiral of Wall street as well as the mercury is no reason to give up on living!

Snowshoeing is a great way to put the day to day worries aside and become one with nature. After a relatively small equipment purchase all you need is a little snow and motivation. Access is easy. The venue can be as complex as a drive to the local mountain or as familiar as your own back yard.

Snowshoeing is an extremely family friendly activity. If you can walk you can snowshoe is straight to the point and true! Television and video games are not a substitute for exercise.

Get the kids outside this winter!

TSL Snowshoes offers several models suitable for the family outing. Please visit your local retailer for more information or visit our website.

TSL Snowshoes, LLC and Shaw & Heald Sales join forces in New England

2008-11-11T11:28:00.016-05:00

Williston, VT, November 7th, 2008 – TSL Snowshoes, manufacturer and distributor of domestically produced snowshoes, has added the Shaw & Heald Sales group to their national sales rep team. The group headed up by Andy Shaw and Scott Heald will be responsible for the New England Territory.

Shaw & Heald joined forces 20+ years ago and have been successfully represented top outdoor and sporting goods brands ever since. “The TSL brand will complement our current lines quite nicely,” adds Andy Shaw. “TSL not only offers high quality products, but they manufacture them right here in Vermont!” Shaw continues. “There are not too many lines these days where you can drive to the factory to pick up your samples.”

“TSL is fortunate to have Shaw and Heald Sales on board. TSL is on a rapid growth curve and the experience and reputation Andy and Scott have earned over the years will keep us moving in the right direction,” comments TSL President Ted McGuinness. “Our specialty retailers will appreciate their knowledge and commitment to supporting the TSL brand.”

2009 Field/ Prostaff Program

2008-06-17T07:52:00.004-05:00

TSL Snowshoes is putting together a Field Staff and Pro Staff for the '08/'09 season. If you are interested in being part of the team, fire me an e-mail and I will send you an application. Be sure to put Staff Program as the title of your e-mail.

Join The Team

Smugglers' Notch Partnership Agreement

2008-03-07T09:07:00.022-05:00

TSL Snowshoes is proud to announce we have entered into a four year partnership with Smugglers' Notch Resort in Jeffersonville, Vermont.
TSL Snowshoes will be the main sponsor for Smuggs Snowshoe Adventure Program and be the exclusive snowshoe for sale in their retail shops.

The Hoepner Hop 2008

2008-02-14T09:58:00.010-05:00

Last Saturday, February 9th, the TSL Snowshoes gang teamed up with Sleepy Hollow Ski & Bike Center for the 2008 Hoepner Hop - a 2.5 mile family fun-run to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Approximately 200 happy snowshoers joined in on the event making it a huge success - raising over $5000 for the American Cancer Society. A big thanks goes out to all the participants, Sleepy Hollow, and The Ski Rack - Without you guys it couldn't have happened. Here are a few pictures from the day. Enjoy!

the Sleepy Hollow Inn

getting the fleet ready

we all had a good time and even made some new friends

Inside TSL Snowshoes

2008-02-06T11:17:00.003-05:00

Thought I would post up some pictures so you all could see where your TSL Snowshoes come from.....

welcome!

this is pretty much it - the rest is boxes and a small office

"salvage" screening men's Walk In The Park decks

Where all the magic happens....

ready for bindings

the sweet F350 demo rig

and that is the $100 tour.... yep. You've seen the whole place and half of the employees. Isn't it nice to know who is building your snowshoes?

Outdoor Retailer 2008

2008-02-04T13:28:00.002-05:00

We just returned from the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, UT. For anyone who has not been there, OR is where manufacturers and retailers get together for 4 days to see the product for the next season. Although it is work for eveyone, we do manage to get away and have some fun. Hope these pictures give you and ideas of what goes on out there...

setting up the booth...

it's coming together...

finished....2 days later

"Salvage" - always the ladies man

the work part...

Party at Lumpy's with Peregrine Outfitters, Orikaso , and Guyot Designs

me and "Green Bay" Dom

the Orikaso shot glass folding race - fastest one wins a shot

SnoWalker 30 Review

2007-07-03T07:37:00.001-05:00

Our friends from New Zealand Altdirt.com recently reviewed our SnoWalker 30 bag on their adventure racing site. To see what they had to say click HERE for the review and be sure to check out thier other articles on nutrition and training.

Noxys Headlamp Review

2007-06-22T07:57:00.001-05:00

Although the winter season has come to an end here in North America, our friends in New Zealand are just getting started. The Adventure Sport website AltDirt.com recently reviewed our Noxys Headlamp after using it and putting it through some tests. Click HERE for the full review and be sure to check out their other product reviews and great articles on training and nutrition.

Open House at Johnson Farm & Garden

2007-05-21T08:31:00.004-05:00

This weekend Johnson Farm & Garden held their annual Open House Sale in northern Vermont. TSL was there with our truck and demo tent to raffle off a pair of snowshoes and display our products. The predicted rain held off until late afternoon, and judging by the traffic in and out of the store all day I'd say the open house was a success! The photos were from early in the morning and don't do the parking lot justice.

Sugaring at Shelburne Farms

2007-03-29T14:28:00.001-05:00

With the beautiful weather last week, TSL took a roadtrip to Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, VT. We visited the Farm Barn and explored the traditional maple tree tapping and the sugarhouse on Lone Tree Hill. The staff walked us through the sugaring process and let us sample syrup fresh out of the evaporator.

While there was still snow on the ground, we took the opportunity to photo our snowshoes among the tapped maples.

Thanks goes out to Hillary and the staff at Shelburne Farms for their hospitality.

Winterfest at Millstone

2007-03-23T08:56:00.001-05:00

Last weekend the first annual Winterfest at Millstone Hill in Websterville, VT was a huge success. The mountains of northern Vermont received over a foot of late-season snow over the weekend, so conditions were perfect to explore Millstone's extensive network of snowshoeing and nordic ski trails on Sunday. TSL was there for the free demo day and we got everyone out on our gear to enjoy the snow. Thanks goes out to Pierre for organizing such a successful event.

New England Wintersports Rep Tradeshow

2007-03-21T10:57:00.001-05:00

Earlier this week TSL made it to the NEWSR tradeshow in Manchester, VT. We saw alot of traffic throughout the show and got a great response to our products.

Our thanks goes out to Jeff Winnick, our New England rep, who did a great job with the tradeshow set-up.

Roadtrip: TSL At The US Open

2007-03-17T10:38:00.001-05:00

The TSL truck made it's way to Stratton Mountain Resort on Friday for snowboarding's US Open event.

The truck in the US Open tent area

Stratton halfpipe in the background

As always, the US Open drew a huge crowd of spectators and competitors alike. Halfpipe competitions went on all day while we talked with spectators, answered questions about TSL, and handed out catalogs.

Winter Festival at Millstone

2007-03-14T08:05:00.001-05:00

Millstone Hill is having their First Annual Winter Festival on Sunday, March 18. Billed as an old fashioned Sugar on Snow party, snowshoe passes will be free all day and there will be snowshoe clinics, guided tours, and prizes. We'll be there with the truck and plenty of snowshoes to demo, so check back next week for photos and updates.

US National Snowshoe Championships

2007-03-13T09:31:00.001-05:00

Under a clear sky with mild temperatures and perfect snow conditions, the US National Snowshoe Championships took place this weekend in Maple Grove, MN. In addition to the great turnout of participants and spectators, TSL was there to take in the event, meet some local retailers, and raffle off some snowshoes.

Jackie & David from Hoigaard's

Matt & Mikaela from REI

Ron & Matt from Sportsman's Warehouse

TSL Raffle after the race

A special thanks goes out to Mark Elmore for making us a part of this well-organized event.

Congratulations to all the winners and participants. Be sure to check out the race results here.

Relay For Life Recap

2007-03-12T08:52:00.001-05:00

Rain, wind, and daylight savings didn't stop the fundraising on Saturday night at Trapp Family Lodge. 150+ participants on 26 relay teams braved the elements and raised over $47,000 for the American Cancer Society. The teams spent all night lapping the inner loop lit by luminaries in memory of those lost, or they could venture into part of Trapp's extensive network of trails trail lit by tiki torches. Thank you to Kathy Johnson from the American Cancer Society for making us a part of this inspiring event.

US National Snowshoe Championships

2007-03-09T13:56:00.001-05:00

TSL will be at the US Snowshoe Championships this weekend at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, MN. You can go to the US Nat'l Snowshoe Championships website for more info and be sure to check back next week for pics and highlights.

Dinner and a Snowshoe Tour

2007-03-05T08:54:00.001-05:00

Last night the Inn at Essex hosted a cooking class where a delicious 4 course meal was prepared by Chef Courtney Contos and her "students" Bruce, Debi, Chris and Allison. Afterwards, Courtney and her class went for a nice moonlight snowshoe tour through the meadow trails adjacent to the Inn. The fresh snow lured us off trail and we ended up breaking fresh trail in the woods under the moonlight.

Bruce and Debi were having so much fun that they upped the ante for the evening by spontaneously jumping in the snow and making snow angels.

After the tour we headed back to the bonfire where hot chocolate and Chartreuse were waiting for us. Not to be outdone by Bruce and Debi and their snow angels, Chris got on one knee and proposed to Allison.

She said yes!

Thank you to Chef Courtney for a wonderful meal and snowshoe tour, and congratulations to Chris and Allison!

TSL at VT State Nordic Championships

2007-02-22T16:54:00.002-05:00

Yesterday the Vermont High School Nordic Championships took place at Bolton Valley Nordic Center. There was a great turnout and the TSL truck stopped by to offer demo snowshoes to the hunderds of spectators. Our thanks go out to Bolton Valley for asking us to be a part of such a great event.

NSIA Tradeshow in Montreal

2007-02-06T10:50:00.001-05:00

We made a roadtrip to Canada this weekend to attend the NSIA Tradeshow in downtown Montreal. Our Canadian distributor, F3 did an amazing job with the booth. Here's a photo from the show.

Green Mountain Club Demo

2007-02-05T09:41:00.001-05:00

On Saturday the Green Mountain Club of Vermont hosted a demo at Waterbury Center. Thanks to the Green Mountain Club for the great turn-out and making us a part of their day out.

Outdoor Retailer Day 3 & 4

2007-01-30T16:31:00.001-05:00

Outdoor Retailer is a wrap! We worked hard over the past several days, but managed to fit in some fun...and some Chartreuse!

Outdoor Retailer Day 1 & 2

2007-01-28T22:04:00.001-05:00

We're having a great show here in Salt Lake City. The booth is in a perfect location and we're attracting alot of attention from dealers and show attendees. Here's some photos from the show.

Backcountry Base Camp at Brighton, Utah

2007-01-26T21:45:00.001-05:00

Right now we're out in Utah for the Outdoor Retailer Tradeshow in Salt Lake City. The first event was the Backcountry Base Camp demo today at Brighton Ski Resort. With the bright sun and warm temps, we couldn't have asked for a better day to be outside. We were busy all day getting potential dealers and customers on our snowshoes to get out there and enjoy the day. Stay tuned for more updates from Outdoor Retailer over the next few days.

TSL on the Web

2007-01-20T11:26:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the TSL Snowshoes blog. Our offices and manufacturing facility is located in Williston, Vermont and we'll be blogging news, events, travels, and general info about TSL and snowshoeing. Stay tuned for more posts, pictures and stories. In the meantime check out our website for info on our products.