WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — Sales of snow sports products were up 3 percent in August and September compared to last year, and the industry's trade association said the uptick was largely due to pent up demand in the West, where ski areas experienced a snow drought the last several seasons. This season, forecasters are predicting that El Niño conditions will produce a better snow year.
"The news about El Niño conditions and how much snow normally falls in an El Niño winter seems to have convinced consumers that this will be an epic season and it's time for new gear, especially in the West region. In fact, sales in specialty shops in the West are up more than 50 percent so far this season to $84 million," the SnowSports Industries America trade group said. The market projections are based on data collected by The NPD Group from the point of sale systems of more than 1,200 snow sports retailers.
SIA and NPD said equipment sales nationally increased 10 percent while outerwear sales remained relatively flat in August and September. Gear sales showed increases in both dollars sold and units sold.
