By Kerri Loudoun, Communications and Marketing Portfolio Leader (kerri.loudoun@skipatrol.ca)
Greetings, zone presidents:
With school starting this month and many requalification and instructor yearly update sessions scheduled, we want to focus on uniform orders for the upcoming season.
This message is a precursor to the general membership message to be included in the next 5/5 issue reminding the members to get their Helly Hansen (HH) uniform orders in early to avoid missing out on sizing and product availability.
This message will walk you through the following details:
- New pricing for 2022
- Ordering deadlines and product availability
- Info on products available this year to members
- The ordering process and shipping details
- Returns and reimbursement considerations
- Update on Nordic patrol offerings (to come for the 2022/2023 season)
Prices increase this year
COVID-19 has created significant supply chain hurdles. Unfortunately, HH has struggled with raw materials for its soft goods and thus has needed to increase its pricing for the CSP and all of its professional partners. The catalogue found on the Pro Deals section of the website (along with the order form) reflects these price increases.
Ordering deadlines and product quantities
Please submit all HH uniform orders to the national office as soon as possible – ideally no later than Nov 30, 2022. Why?
- Stock is limited, and once a model or size sells out, we won’t have any again until next fall.
- The sooner an order goes in, the sooner a patroller receives the item(s). We would love every patroller who orders a Helly Hansen uniform to have it in their hands, ready for their first patrol shift this season.
Product offering for the 2022/2023 winter patrol season
You can find the updated catalogue of soft goods available on the member site Pro Deals section here [https://www.skipatrol.ca/members/current-pro-deals/] (login required), including item description and pricing. These items target alpine patrollers, but some can still be practical for Nordic patrollers (e.g. vests).
Note: HH no longer offers white cross crest badges. However, patrollers can order two sizes through the CSP eShop [https://csp-pcs.myeshop.ca/]. If you have members who would like these cross crests, please direct them to this web page. We recommended placing a batch order to save on shipping.
The ordering process and shipping
We are using the same ordering system as last year. You can download the order form here.
We ask that you group your orders by the patrol/resort team and identify one location HH can ship to when placing your order. Ensure the order form identifies the ship-to address, and the person receiving the order knows they are getting the shipment.
We are requesting you make a single-location shipment (vs. sending an order to individual patrollers) for two reasons:
- Saves on shipping costs which are the responsibility of the patrollers ordering items – patrol leaders can divide shipping costs equally between all orders.
- It’s more environmentally responsible.
Returns and reimbursement considerations
All patrollers must refer to the measurement sizing charts in the catalogue to identify their appropriate item size. We want to limit the number of returns required.
Helly Hansen will only exchange items that still have tags attached. Worn items will not be eligible for return/exchange. Members must contact the national office to start the return process; PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT HELLY HANSEN DIRECTLY FOR RETURNS.
Please ensure you reiterate this point to patrol leaders (or uniform order coordinators) before submitting their uniform orders.
Nordic uniforms from Helly Hansen
Sadly we could not get our Nordic program off the ground last year due to internal challenges and COVID. However, we are working with HH by structuring a demo program for Nordic patrollers this year. We will work with zone presidents and Nordic patrol leaders to help shortlist possible patrollers participating in this demo program.
The Nordic uniform demo program will run across the county (in key regions) and be coordinated by the national office. We intend to make an entire HH Nordic uniform product catalogue available in the fall of 2023.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the ordering process for HH uniforms this season, please contact me (kerri.loudoun@skipatrol.ca) or National Office Manager Renee Thivierge (renee.thivierge@skipatrol.ca), and we’d be happy to help.
A note from Helly Hansen
On behalf of Helly Hansen, thank you, Canadian Ski Patrollers. Thanks to you, we can develop the best outerwear possible, and, since 1877, we’ve never stopped innovating to ensure professionals like you stay warm, dry, comfortable and safe at work. Thanks for being part of the Helly Hansen family of professionals. We couldn’t be where we are today without you.
~ the Helly Hansen Team