"And we're starting to see more families becoming involved in snowshoeing. It's much more economical. You can outfit a whole family for what you end up paying for one set of alpine or cross country skis, and you can go anywhere on snowshoes, even out in your own back yard."

Price point for adult shoes ranges from $119 to $269 and for kids $69 to $89.

Tubbs also introduced a new frame shape for easier walking and new crampon designs for more stability.

It was 28 years ago that Chris Treptow introduced the first Heat hand warmer, a packet that heats up when exposed to air. For years the hand warmers were a novelty; today they have become as much a part of outdoor activity as the parka.

Glove makers, for example, are now building special pockets in their products to hold the warmers.

"Fifteen years ago we approached glove makers, and they told us they weren't interested because it would give the impression their gloves weren't warm enough," she recalled. "So we developed our own glove line. Now, almost every glove makers has adapted a glove for the warmer."

Along with the hand warmer, the company also makes warmers for the feet (boot and support footbeds) and back and this year will introduce headgear that incorporates the warmers.

The mistake some make is trying to use the hand warmers in the boots and boot warmers for the hands. The oxidation process, which creates the heat, requires air. Without air they won't work.

"Inside the boot there is typically not enough air, so we created the boot warmer. Boot warmers will not work as a hand warmer because it typically gets too hot," she noted.

The Salt Lake-based company Chums introduced an all-natural sun protection product with a plus-30 SPF rating named Beyond Coastal. It is a high-end sunscreen line, created by a California surfer for outdoor use by active people.

The company also introduced a men's line of wallets using sailcloth fabric that is durable, attractive and, as with other products, fits into the active lifestyle. The company that introduced the original eyeglass cotton retainer also showed a new line of water packs and women's purses.

Rossignol, which recently moved its operations to Utah and is best known for its skis, introduced a women's parka with a patented adjustable heating system. At the push of a button, four heating panels in the chest and back area heat up. The rechargeable battery will give six 20-minute bursts of heat. The jacket, with a $700 retail price, comes in white and black, but France Lessard, marketing manager, said the company plans to expand the heating option into other garments next year.

Petzl, another Utah-based company, introduced an ultra-comfortable, multipurpose helmet that is "levitated" above the head to give the wearer a near weightless feeling, said John Evans, marketing director.

It also introduce a lightweight belay/rappel device, a ventilated adjustable harness, a locking carabiner, compact telescopic pole and a new headlamp that provides 200 percent more brightness.

There were, of course, many more new and innovative products shown, along with thousands of tried and proven products, all of which will make the retail level next fall, just in time for winter use.

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E-mail: grass@desnews.com