McLEAN, Va. (March 13, 2002) - Sales of winter sports products at specialty stores for the August 2001 to January 2002 time period were down 5.7 percent, which translates into $1.22 billion compared to $1.3 billion last season for the same time period. Sales for all stores (specialty and chain) were down 6.5 percent compared to the same period in 2000, according to the SIA Retail Audit. In dollars, that translates to $1.6 billion in sales so far this year compared to $1.7 last season.

According to Jim Spring of Leisure Trends Group, the research firm that prepares the Retail Audit for SnowSports Industries America (SIA), "This is the year of innovation -- snow skates/decks, snowshoes, ski systems, snowboards, and helmets all made major contributions to sales. Innovation is especially important during seasons of parsimonious snow. It provides reasons for the core market to buy. Without innovation, long-time skiers and riders tend to use what they have." SIA is the not-for-profit industry trade group that represents manufacturers and distributors of snow sports products. The SIA Retail Audit tracks and reports sales in all snow sports product categories. This is the fourth of six reports that will look at sales through March 31, 2002, the end of the winter season.

All equipment (alpine, snowboard and Nordic) in specialty stores was down just slightly by 0.2 percent to $532 million from $533 million in 2000. Alpine ski equipment was down 4.2 percent to $349 million as compared to $364 last year. The bright spots include Nordic equipment which rose 7.2 percent to $23 million and snowboard equipment up 8.5 percent to $160 million in sales. Sales for Nordic equipment in 2000 were $21.4 million while snowboard was $147.2 million.

Apparel and accessories both saw losses, 7.1 percent and 11.6 percent respectively. Sales for apparel were $341 million while accessories were $356 million. Last season sales for apparel were $367 million while accessories were $402 million.

Nordic and Snowboard Equipment Business Lively
Alpine ski sales fell 15.4 percent to $127 million. However, there were some bright spots in this category -- mid-fat, fat, and twin tip skis all saw gains in sales of 24.0 percent, 48.3 percent, and 22.0 percent respectively. However, carve ski sales continue to decline, off by 46.0 percent in dollars. Ski systems increased 197 percent in dollars, selling at an average retail price of $718. Once systems are added to this year's sales, the ski unit deficit is only 8.5 percent compared to last year. Alpine boot sales are down 3.1 percent to $132 million; sport performance boots are staying hot this year, up 19.6 percent in dollars, while adult recreation boots had a 41.8 percent gain. However, the high end is slowing this category, with high performance boots down 25.1 percent in dollars. Bindings are down compared to last year (5.6 percent) to $53 million. The Din 8-11 represents 56 percent of all bindings sold so far this season, with tight inventories. Poles are down 19.9 percent in sales to $10 million.

Nordic equipment continues to stay ahead. Nordic skis climbed 23.4 percent to $9.5 million followed by boots (up 6.0 percent to $8.0 million). Both bindings and poles saw declines in dollars, down 2.0 percent to $3.7 million and down 26.1 percent to $1.8 million respectively.

Demand for snowboard equipment stayed hot. Snowboards were up 10.3 percent to $75.5 million. Ride/style and freeride boards are leading the way, up 22.8 percent and 22.3 percent in dollars respectively. Snowboard boot sales were up 5.3 percent to $47.3 million and snowboard bindings were up 9.2 percent to $36.9 million.

Vests and Fleece Sell in Warm Weather
Apparel tops are down 3.3 percent to $187 million. The women's insulated parkas stayed steady, up 11.9 percent to $26 million. Shells are staying on the shelves, down 19.1 percent in dollars. The warm weather has helped boost sales of vests up 17.7 percent in dollars and fleece tops, up 6.5 percent in dollars. Overall the apparel suit category is down 41.1 percent to $13.2 million. Stretch suits are making a revival on the slopes again, gaining 21.8 percent in dollars and selling at $180 average retail. Bottoms are down 14.4 percent in dollars to $70.8 million. Bibs continue to be down, by 35.7 percent in dollars. Snowboard apparel was holding steady up 2.1 percent to $69.7 million, however, junior snowboard apparel is soft in the specialty shops. Junior snowboard tops are down 20.2 percent in dollars and bottoms sales are off 24.5 percent.

Snow Deck/Skate Sales are Strong
Equipment accessories were down slightly by 0.4 percent to $184 million. However, there were good performers -- snowshoes (up 20.6 percent to $12.9 million) and auto racks (up 14.3 percent to $29 million). In addition, a new category this season, snow decks/skates sold slightly more than 62,000 units with an average retail price of $86. All classes of apparel accessories suffered double digit declines. This category was down 21.1 percent to $171 million.

***SIA***
SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is the national, not-for-profit, member-owned trade association that represents snow and winter sports outdoor companies. SIA produces the SIA SnowSports Show, the largest trade show and gathering place for the snow sports industry. Proceeds from the SnowSports Show fund market development programs for all snow sport disciplines. SIA also annually produces more than a dozen industry research studies. For more information, check out www.snowlink.com. SnowSports Industries America, 8377-B Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102-3587. Phone: (703) 556-9020, Fax: (703) 821-8276, Email: siamail@snowsports.org.

— Posted by Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Staff