Backcountry-related equipment sales in the U.S. grew a combined 76 percent in the opening months of this year’s snow season (August through October 2020) compared to the same period last year, according to The NPD Group.
NPD noted that the gains come as consumers seek ways to be active, outside and practice social distancing during the winter months.
Nordic and alpine touring equipment, splitboards, snowshoes, and backcountry accessories including beacons, probes, skins, and avalanche shovels, saw sales grow in the high-double to triple-digits to kick off the season — a significant uptick compared to how backcountry product sales fared during last year’s 2019/20 season as a whole.
NPD said this early season growth builds upon what began to take shape in March. An acceleration of backcountry equipment sales began at the tail end of last season and was driven by Internet sales as many parts of the country, including ski resorts, shut down.
Looking at the snow sports equipment market in its entirety season-to-date, sales declined by 8 percent from August through October 2020 driven by a decline in alpine and snowboard equipment — the largest areas of the market.
“Consumers will continue to be active and seek another set of outdoor activities as temperatures drop and we move through the winter months. We can expect backcountry’s popularity to carry through this season and for product demand to grow, especially as the COVID-19 crisis and social distancing measures continue, ski resorts make operational changes to accommodate the circumstances and skiers and snowboarders pursue alternatives to get their alpine fix,” said Matt Powell, NPD’s sports industry advisor, NPD Group, in a statement. “I suspect backcountry product will sell out quickly, and the market will run into inventory issues which may slow the sales trend as we move into the peak selling season.”
Photo courtesy Aspen Expeditions
