Author: Eugene Buchanan

With winter lovers heading to the slopes this season, ski manufacturers have not wasted time facilitating the craze. They’re experimenting with materials, shapes, profiles, and sustainable practices to keep consumers schussing well after the pandemic ends. The following is a roundup from SGB of what you will find at retail this season.

With fishing license sales up across the country, angling gear companies have been reeling in sales during the pandemic, helping fuel both participation and the continued protection of our natural resources. SGB Executive caught up with Orvis President Simon Perkins for his take on how the business has evolved during the pandemic.

The glove and mitten category deserves a warm high five from retailers this year for innovation, as manufacturers fine-tune materials, designs and more to keep consumers comfortable. The following is SGB Media’s roundup of gloves and mitts from a handful of active outdoor manufacturers you will find on retailers’ shelves this season.

Capitalizing on the year’s COVID-19-fueled surge in bike sales, in January, Kitzuma Cycling Logistics debuted a new model for shipping bikes in the industry. SGB Executive caught up with COO Chris Cosgrove for the skinny on its step-saving cycling business model.

After being acquired by Kohlberg & Co in 2017, K2 Sports tapped John Colonna as its new president. SGB Executive reached out to the avid snowboarder to find out how K2’s brands have adjusted to the pandemic and what’s coming down the pipeline.

The backcountry skiing market isn’t the only winter outdoors segment seeing a huge boom this year. COVID-19 and resort restrictions have also fueled a surge in demand for snowshoes, affording consumers another way to enjoy Old Man Winter.

While turning plastic bottles into performance fibers is a well-practiced and planet-friendly manufacturing process, textile manufacturer, SAYA, is converting scraps, overruns and leftover fabric (deadstock) into recycled fibers to pave the way to a greener planet.

The motto for Mad River Glen has always been “Ski it if you can!” It might as well be “Own it if you can” as well. Especially this year, where COVID-19 restrictions have seen its ownership shares sell like hotcakes at its newly refurbished base lodge.

Amid the pandemic, with the world still shutting down and retailers unsure about orders, Los Angeles-based Allied Feather + Down is capping off its biggest growth streak in company history. print. SGB Executive caught up its President, Daniel Uretsky, to see what’s up in the world of down.

Kicking off this year’s Outdoor Retailer Winter Virtual Tradeshow was a seminar presented by NPD Executive Director and industry analyst Dirk Sorenson examining what’s trending in the outdoor and fitness markets and the opportunities for growth in 2021.

Opening its new 69,356-square-foot headquarters in Houston, TX on December 23, Taxa Outdoors is rolling strong with sales of its overland habitat spaces. SGB Executive caught up with Taxa President Divya Brown for insight into the Overland market amidst the pandemic.

With design improvements making it easier than ever, snowboarders are also venturing off-piste thanks to the burgeoning category of splitboards.

The latest buzzword, the Norwegian word Friluftsliv (pronounced free-loofts-livis), is a Scandinavian concept embracing outdoor adventures no matter your age in all weather. SGB Executive caught up with outdoor eCommerce brand Backcountry.com to see what’s trending this season and what consumers are buying

With resort restrictions leading more consumers to venture into the backcountry this winter, never has avalanche education, awareness and preparedness been more important. As for gear, this could mean burgeoning sales for the avalanche category including beacons, probes and shovels. SGB Executive interviewed several vendors who occupy the avalanche beacon space and who have introduced new products to bolster retail sales and customer safety.

Elan USA President and CEO Jeff Mechura is no stranger to Zoom meetings. Like most companies affected by the pandemic, the ski company, which makes its products in Slovenia, adopted it early on to communicate with its retailers, reps, suppliers, designers, and manufacturers. SGB Executive caught up with Mechura for his view on the pandemic, spicing up virtual meetings and helping retailers sell-through for the upcoming season.