McLEAN, Va. -- The final end of the season sales of winter sports products (August-March) for all stores (specialty and chain) were down 4.8 percent compared to the same period in 2001, according to the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Retail Audit. In dollars, that translates to $2.1 billion in sales compared to $2.2 billion last season. Specialty store numbers specifically were down 3.8 percent, which translates into $1.61 billion compared to $1.67 billion in 2001.

Jim Spring of Leisure Trends Group, the research firm that prepares the annual Retail Audit for SIA, said, łThe mountains became a refuge from the density of the city and a place where people could reflect and find some spiritual and physical nourishment. Even though it didn't snow, people came. Interest in snow sports and therefore sales, held up a lot better than previous seasons when the snow never fell.˛

The SIA Retail Audit tracks and reports sales in all snow sports product categories. This is the final report for specialty stores that examines sales through March 31, 2002, the end of the winter season. SIA is the not-for-profit industry trade group that represents manufacturers and distributors of snow sports products. Chain store information will be released separately. All equipment (alpine, snowboard and Nordic) in specialty stores rose slightly at 0.7 percent to $664 million compared to $659 million in 2001 though units were down (2.1 percent). Alpine ski equipment was down 1.9 percent to $449.2 million as compared to $458.1 last year. Nordic equipment rose 4.2 percent to $26.8 million and snowboard equipment was up 7.0 percent to $187.7 million in sales. Sales for Nordic equipment in 2001 were $25.7 million while snowboard was $175.3 million.

Apparel and accessories both saw losses at 5.3 percent and 8.0 percent, respectively. Sales for apparel tracked at $451.5 million while accessories were $491.2 million. Last season sales for apparel were $476.9 million while accessories were $534.2 million. Snowboards Equipment Made Gains in Specialty Shops

Alpine ski sales fell 13.6 percent to $159.8 million. As the season comes to an end, three categories of alpine skies remained fairly strong. These categories included Mid-fat, fat and twin-tip skis, with sales up 21.4 percent, 80.8 percent and 16.4 percent, respectively. This season Mid-fat skis outsold the second largest class, carvers, by a factor of 1.8 to 1.0.

Fat skis grew by 81%; however, the numbers are low with only 5,000 pairs sold. All other classes of skis saw a decrease in double digits; carve skis (down 45.2 percent), ski boards (down 22.3 percent), junior skis (down 13.3 percent) and carry-over (down 16.7 percent). Slightly more than 52,000 ski systems were sold this season compared to about 16,000 last year. The average retail is $714 after aggressive late-season mark-downs. Because of the ski systems, alpine equipment sales were down only 1.9 percent in dollars. Consider that all alpine skis without systems sold for an average retail of $314, less than half the price of systems.

Alpine boot sales were off slightly by 0.9 percent to $170.9 million. The average retail of alpine boots climbed 7.5 percent which kept dollars even with last season. Sport performance boots continue to dominate, advancing 16.7 percent in dollars, while adult recreation boots had a 53.1 percent gain. High performance boots were down 22.1 percent and in addition junior boots declined 20.4 percent.

Bindings are down compared to last year (5.7 percent) to $67.7 million. However, add in ski systems, and binding unit sales were consistent with last season. The Din 1-7 binding appears to be dead with slightly more than 1,500 units being sold. The only binding going strong this year was the DIN 12-14, up 13.1 percent. All other bindings saw declines.

Poles are down 16.9 percent in sales to $13.4 million. Maybe poles need a system? The largest declines in sales were seen in carry-over, down 64.1 percent.

Nordic skis climbed 18.0 percent to $10.9 million followed by boots (up 3.5 percent to $9.2 million). Both bindings and poles saw declines in dollars, down 2.4 percent to $4.4 million and 25.8 percent to $2.2 million, respectively. It is tough to slide when there's no snow in the east; however, some Midwest areas did well.

Kids are snowboarding. Snowboards were up 9.0 percent to $88.9 million. Ride/style and Freeride are leading the way, up 35.6 percent and 12.4 percent in dollars, respectively. Boards netted an 18 percent increase in units but prices fell from $292 last season to $270. Snowboard boot sales were up 3.3 percent to $55.1 million and snowboard bindings were up 8.1 percent to $43.7 million.

Non step-in boots and carry-over saw most of the growth, up 10.9 percent and 53.0 percent, respectively. In addition, non step-in bindings grew 21.8 percent in sales this season. Only 4.4 percent of snowboard equipment is sold in March. It sells best early in the season. Insulated Parkas Hung in There

Apparel tops are down 0.9 percent to $241.6 million. There are 100,000 more tops hanging at the end of March 2002 than in 2001. The insulated parka sold well this season, up 10.5 percent compared to last year. Both men's and women's insulated parkas sales were up, 9.8 percent and 21.0 percent, respectively. Shell sales were slow, down 16.6 percent. Men's, women's, and juniors all saw a decline. With the weather staying relatively warm around the country, vests and fleece tops remained strong through the season. Vest sales were up 18.0 percent while fleece gained 7.5 percent. Overall, the apparel suit category is down 41.6 percent to $19.5 million. The only category registering any gains is stretch suits, up 56.4 percent in dollars.

With the lack of snow, bottoms were down 8.8 percent in dollars to $102.8 million. The only types of bottoms to register any gains were insulated waist pants (up 1.0 percent) and juniors (up 2.9 percent).

Both snowboard tops and bottoms struggled as they lost 4.9 percent and 9.4 percent in sales for the season, respectively. The only gains to be made were in women's snowboard tops, up 7.8 percent and carry-over, up 84.5 percent. There are danger signs in snowboard apparel. The junior categories are slipping and carry-over represents 17 percent of units sold. While the new bottom inventory is okay for the end of the season, tops are not.

Hot Trend of the Season: Snowdeck/Skate

Equipment accessories were down slightly by 0.9 percent to $251.1 million. However, there were some categories that came out on top. Those categories registering gains were sunglasses (up 4.2 percent), auto racks (up 18.8 percent) and snowshoes (up 1.7 percent). Snowdecks/skates showed the strongest growth in this category selling more than 66,000 units with an average retail price of $85. Apparel accessories had it the worst. The category was down 14.5 percent in sales to $240.1 million. Overall, each category saw declines.

For other statistics on winter sports, go to the News & Research section of www.snowlink.com. SIA provides valuable information on sales, participation and demographics for all winter sports and press releases on new products in 22 product categories.

***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