Season-to-date retail sales of snow sports products through February reached $3.1 billion, up 2 percent when compared with dollars sold from August to February last season, according to the latest SIA RetailTRAK report from Snowsports Industries America. Total market projections are based on data collected from the point of sale systems of more than 1,200 snow sports retailers.



Retailers struggled to make up for slow sales in December due to the late start of the seasons snowfall. Although sales in January and February are healthy compared with the past four seasons, it has not been sufficient to make up for relatively lackluster sales earlier in the season.

 


 

Specialty shops have sold through $1.7 billion in snow sports equipment, apparel and accessories and continue to be the widest distribution channel in the snow sports market. Sales in specialty shops are 1 percent lower or $18 million less compared to Aug-February sales last season. The second widest channel is the Internet; consumers have spent $737 million online for snow sports gear this season, about $68 million more than they did August–February last season. Chain store sales are about even with last seasons sales at $694 million. More than half (55 percent) of the dollar sales in chain are for apparel, 36 percent are for accessories like hats and gloves, and just 8 percent were spent on equipment.


 

Equipment sales still lagging

Through all distribution channels, snow sports equipment sales are down slightly in units sold, and down 2 percent in dollars sold to $750 million through February. Alpine ski equipment brought in more than 60 percent of all equipment dollars and sales were down 2 percent in dollars, including sales of carryover alpine ski equipment. Snowboard equipment sales brought in $232 million through February-down 8 percent compared to sales in the same time frame last season. Cross country ski equipment sales finally increased 2 percent to $15 million as the snow fell. The shining star of equipment categories this season is Alpine Touring with a 21 percent increase in dollars sold to $15 million.


 

Snow sports apparel continues to have the most dollar share at snow sports retail, bringing in more than $1.3 billion through February this season. Apparel sales are up 2 percent in dollars sold and up 3 percent in units sold, led by a 4 percent increase in sales of insulated tops. Sales of snowboard bottoms are up 8 percent and alpine bottoms sales are up just under 1 percent in units sold.


 

Sales of equipment and apparel accessories increased 3 percent in dollars sold to $1 billion through February. Accessories that are needed on mountain and on trail, including hats, gloves, base layer, goggles and camera equipment, enjoyed increased sales this season.


 

2012/2013 trends:

 


  • Twin tip ski sales (flat and systems combined) are up 2 percent in dollars sold to $70 million and up 4 percent in units sold to 169,000 pairs of skis sold through Feb. 28. 
  • Sales of alpine/AT boots, alpine boots with a walk mode and rubber/Vibram sole designed for use with alpine touring bindings, have more than doubled compared to last season. Through February, 67,000 alpine/AT boots were sold at snow sports retail shops. 
  • Sales of lighter, more technical AT/Randonee boots are up 44 percent in units and 60 percent in dollars sold. 
  • Sales of skins, used on the bottoms of skis to prevent backwards sliding when traversing or sliding uphill, are up 12 percent in units sold and 11 percent in dollars sold. 
  • Splitboard sales, although still a small category with 3,100 units sold through February, are up 14 percent in units sold and up 7 percent in dollars sold. 
  • Action camera sales are soaring, up 14 percent in units to 95,000, and up 37 percent in dollars sold to $29 million.


A late start to snowfall that depressed sales in November and December most likely prevented a palpable rebound in snow sports retail sales this season. However, sales during January and February were strong as snow finally fell and consumers returned to the slopes and trails. The cynicism that dominated the early season market after a dismal 2011/2012 season has dissipated. The mindset of the consumer heading into next season should be far more optimistic and therefore willing to spend