Sled Dogs Advances Snow Skating With 1997-98 Product Offerings

Business Wire, Feb 14, 1997

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 1997--

New entry-priced skate and base technologies

highlight line-up

The Sled Dogs(R) Company (Nasdaq:SNOW), maker of Sled Dogs brand snow skates, plans to unveil its 1997-98 line at the Ski Industries America, (SIA) Ski, Snowboard and Outdoor Sports Show March 4-8, 1997 in Las Vegas. The line is expected to begin shipping in August 1997.

"Our 1997-98 line goes still further in translating the inline skating experience to snow. This year's line is lighter, faster and wallet-friendly and brings aggressive skating's hallmark activity to winter," said Sled Dogs' marketing director Lisa Svac.

Sled Dogs' 1997-98 line improves and expands on its fast-selling K9(TM) model and employs new base technologies for enhanced speed and rail grinding. The line features four standard models: the Rover(TM), K9(TM), K9 Grind(TM) and K9 Speed(TM). Every Sled Dogs snow skate features the newly enhanced integrated phast and safety restraint system. All Sled Dogs snow skate models are available in men's whole sizes 3-14.

-- Sled Dogs' first planned new model for 1997-98 is the Rover. Rover is an entry-level snow skate featuring a pivoting, forward-flexing, low-profile cuff and laceless entry/exit system. The skate comes standard with Sled Dogs' new Max-V(TM), a composite polyurethane base with carbon steel edges and a molded Sled Dogs top graphic. Rover is designed for beginning snow skaters to use in alpine venues. The skate is expected to be available in charcoal and slate blue and to retail for $229.

-- Sled Dogs' has retained and improved upon last season's fast- selling K9 for 1997-98. This year's K9 has a newly enhanced integrated phast and safety restraint system. K9 comes standard with the traditional phat base or new Max V-base(TM). The skate is designed for intermediate aggressive snow skating at alpine and urban venues. It is expected to be available in rust and tan and to retail for $299.

-- Rail grinds are a hallmark of aggressive inline skating. Sled Dogs' commitment to taking inline to snow demanded a skate for winter grinding. The K9 Grind is that skate. Built on the K9 boot platform, K9 Grind comes standard with the new GrooVy(TM) base. The GrooVy is a composite polyurethane V-base with a built-in grinding groove, carbon steel metal edges and a molded Sled Dogs top graphic. The skate is designed for advanced snow skating in urban areas and at snowboard parks. It is expected to be available in rust/tan and to retail for $329.

-- Sled Dogs' new top-of-the-line snow skate is the K9 Speed. The K9 Speed incorporates the new Flying V-base(TM) with the successful K9 boot platform. The Flying V, a lightweight and fast-sliding P-Tex(R) base, features a custom-sized foam core with contoured offset carbon steel metal edges, proprietary draft angle, urethane tip and tail protection and two-color Sled Dogs bottom graphic. The skate is designed for high performance advanced snow skating in alpine, urban and nordic venues. It is expected to be available in green and navy and to retail for $359.

"As the pioneers of authentic snow skating, Sled Dogs is committed to providing inline skaters with the snow skates which best transfer street moves to snow," said Sled Dogs' product marketing manager, Jeff Biesman. "K9 refinements, the Rover's low-profile cuff and laceless entry, and our new GrooVy grind and P-tex Flying V bases reflect that commitment," he continued.

Sled Dogs has also refined its line of snow skating accessories for 1997-98. The new line features a skate, base and tool bag system, a flap-earred bomber hat, and waterproof snow skating protective gloves in addition to the company's traditional line-up of t-shirts and caps.

The Sled Dogs Company markets, manufactures and distributes Sled Dogs brand snow skates and related accessories and has created snow skating as a winter sport for inline skaters. The Sled Dogs Company developed the world's first patented snow skate, which integrates a comfortable, supportive boot and a unique replaceable base allowing the skate to glide down hill and over the snow. At present, there are more than 350 "snow skate friendly" areas in the United States and international distributors serving Canada, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Forward looking statements contained in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain important factors could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by some statements made in this release. You are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause results to differ materially are the following: lack of availability of financing; inability to control costs or expenses; manufacturing and distribution problems; and lack of market acceptance of the Company's products. Reference is also made to the risk factors contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-80875), which are incorporated herein by reference.