G3 names first winner in annual SkiGraphiks contest

Vancouver, British Columbia (November 24, 2010) – ‘Fear and Loathing in Times Square’ is an apt name for the surreal graphic that’ll soon be atop a special-edition version of G3’s popular Manhattan Ski. And with the first segment of G3’s annual SkiGraphiks competition wrapped up and a winner announced, the Vancouver-based ski gear manufacturer this week kicks off the second of four winter competitions in concert with retail partner MountainGear.com.

The SkiGraphiks competition, which has three more segments between now and Feb. 15, encourages people to submit their graphic designs for a ski via the G3 web site. The top four designs are produced in limited-edition skis.

‘Fear and Loathing in Times Square,” created by artist Tim Curran, was chosen from a pool of more than 60 entries on several criteria. Curran’s design was one of the most popular among viewers on the contest site, was the favorite of Backcountry.com staffers, the co-sponsor of the first segment of the competition, and also deemed the best design by a panel of G3 judges.

The graphic will be printed on the Manhattan ski, G3’s fattest ski of the 2010-11 season and the newest addition to the Descent series. Curran will take home a free pair of the skis, and a limited number are now available for pre-order exclusively on Backcountry.com. Skis will be delivered to Curran and others who order them within six weeks.

The first round of the contest closed on November 14, but G3 fans still have three more chances to win. The second round picked up on November 15, and participants have until December 14 to submit a new design, this time for G3’s Tonic ski. That limited-edition ski will be sold exclusively through MountainGear.com.

This year’s challenge has four rounds, in concert with four partners — online retailers Backcountry.com, MountainGear.com and BentGate.com, and Backcountry Magazine online, each with a different G3 ski, so consumers have an opportunity to enter each month through February.

Here’s how it works: skiers can submit their designs at www.g3skigraphiks.com, the public gets to vote on them, and, like Curran, the winner each month will get a pair of G3 skis with their graphic on the topsheet.

In addition, during the first three months, the skis will be available on a limited basis to the public. Each online retailer affiliated with each respective month’s contest will take pre-orders for that particular limited-edition ski during the two weeks immediately after a winner is named. The skis will be delivered to anyone who buys it within 30 days of the close of ordering.

At the end of the contest, one of the designs will be chosen as Grand Prize winner by G3. In addition to skis, that artist will win a quiver of G3 gear, including their choice of telemark or alpine-touring bindings, as well as an AviTech shovel, Carbon probe, Alpinist climbing skins, a Bonesaw and G3 ski bag.

About G3

Based in Vancouver, B.C., G3 Genuine Guide Gear is manufacturer of industry-leading gear for backcountry skiing. It has been making avalanche safety equipment since 1995. The G3 product line includes skis, alpine-touring and telemark ski bindings, climbing skins, avalanche shovels, probes and other ski accessories. G3 was founded on the principle that gear built for backcountry guides should be manufactured to the highest standards, which has helped the company gain a reputation as an industry innovator. For more information, visit www.genuineguidegear.com or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/genuineguidegear.