Backcountry gear sales UP!
According to the Snowsports Industries of America Intillegence Report, all equipment sales are DOWN by about 5%. That’s Alpine, Snowboard and Cross country. HOWEVER, Randonee and Alpine Touring gear sales increased by 21% in units and 16% in dollars for the 2008 / 2009 season. Total sales in dollars accounted for a minuscule share of overall ski and snowboard gear sales at just over $2 million.
Perhaps as the costs to get those epic experiences at the big Tahoe ski resorts, both in travel, ticket prices, and the sheer emotional expense of dealing with the crowds grows, more and more people will venture out into the backcountry. Good thing? Depends on how you look at it.
-M
The growth spurt stems from all the pussies who’ve abandoned the tele turn for fixies. The feeble-minded out there are always attracted to the easiest way down the hill. Keep an eye on the numbers. In a few years, they’ll slink over to snowboards (sales uptick) before finally setting on a rad set snowshoes.
Greg. No one over the age of 17 ever takes up snowboarding. They start at 7 and wash out by 35 after really only pretending to be snowboarders from 25 to 34. The numbers don’t lie.
-M