A few weeks ago I made a call for swag and you guys delivered. I’ve got a stack of koozies, stickers, and other gear that I’ll be featuring, two at a time, on the blog. Hopefully, with my super-scientific analysis, we’ll spark some ideas for sweet swag to line-up for next season. If you missed the first couple battles, check it them out round 1 here and round 2 here.

The Criteria
I’m going to judge the swag on four areas and give a score for each to determine a winner:

• Cool – would I actually want to use it?
• Useful – is it something I could use on a regular basis?
• Branding – do I know it’s tied to a certain resort?
• Unique – how common is this sort of swag?

With a score of 1-10 on each, we’ll end up with a score out of 40. Onward.

Contestant #1 – Copper Mountain
Ski Socks

This lovely pair of ski socks really caught my wife’s eye (she has a drawerful of “cute” socks) and don’t seem to be a cheapo pair of Wal-Mart quality 99-centers.

• Cool: 7 – as I guy, the print makes me give it a 5, but my wife loves them – so an 7 it is.
• Useful: 10 – even with a cutesy print, I am firm in my belief that it is impossible to own too many socks
• Branding: 8 – lots of copper logos on the sole, angle, and calf make it hard to miss but, you do wear these on your feet so the branding may only impact yourself
• Unique: 8 – I must say that I’ve never had a pair of resort-branded ski socks before
• TOTAL: 33

Contestant #2 – Sugarloaf
King of Spring T-Shirt

The classic t-shirt is always a favorite. Don’t believe me? Go to a college basketball game and watch the mayhem when the cheerleaders toss rolled up shirts into the crowd.

• Cool: 8 – not the coolest design ever, but a big logo and clever saying are a nice combo
• Useful: 9 – like socks, it’s impossible to own too many t-shirts – the only reason it’s a 9 is because it’s the boxy-style fit which makes it hard for uber-skinny folk like myself to wear them
• Branding: 10 – the Sugarloaf “king” claim is well known and now extends to acreage as well – good stuff
• Unique: 7 – as far as t-shirts go, I’ve seen more unique, but the bold tagline and crowned logo keep it up there
• TOTAL: 34

Winner: Sugarloaf
The socks are comfy, but even if everyone wears them they simply won’t be seen unless you’re one of those socks and sandals people. In which case, associating your brand with that group might not be a great idea. The t-shirt is simple, hits the brand messaging Sugarloaf is known for and, in this round, just edged out the socks. I like both though. I’m a sucker for resort logo t’s but socks are super useful. I think both can make a solid piece of swag.

Want your resort’s swag included in the next round? Either email a picture to me at contact@slopefillers.com or, if you have some to share, mail those goodies to:

Gregg Blanchard
506 Crazy Horse Circle
Edwards, CO 81632

About Gregg & SlopeFillers
I've had more first-time visitors lately, so adding a quick "about" section. I started SlopeFillers in 2010 with the simple goal of sharing great resort marketing strategies. Today I run marketing for resort ecommerce and CRM provider Inntopia, my home mountain is the lovely Nordic Valley, and my favorite marketing campaign remains the Ski Utah TV show that sold me on skiing as a kid in the 90s.