November 05, 2012 (Auburn, NH) – Today, Fischer Skis announced it has hired Rick Halling as Nordic promotions and customer service specialist. In the newly created position, Halling will work directly with Peter Ashley, vice president of the Fischer Skis U.S. Nordic Division, to grow and support American sales of the world’s winningest cross country ski and boot manufacturer. Rick brings 30 years of Nordic ski experience to Fischer, having most recently spent 20 years as Nordic product category manager at Atomic.

“We are truly excited to welcome Rick. His passion for the sport, technical insight and rich history working in key markets are just what we need to spur sales growth and popularity of cross country skiing”, said Peter Ashley.

Halling begins at Fischer today and will be based out of the company’s U.S. headquarters in Auburn, N.H. His broad range of responsibilities includes providing support for Fischer’s Nordic sales representatives and dealers as well as Nordic marketing and promotions efforts.

“I look forward to working with Peter to show Americans the new face of cross country skiing. From the technology and innovation that powers world-class athletes to the exercise and overall enjoyment afforded by the sport, Fischer truly offers something for everyone” said Rick. “It’s great to be joining the industry leader and to have this unique opportunity to grow the sport.”

During his 20 years managing Atomic’s Nordic division, Halling managed sales, marketing and racing, and helped turn an obscure Austrian brand into a major Nordic supplier in the U.S. Prior to that Halling sold Nordic equipment at Hanover, N.H., ski retailers Omer & Bob’s Sportshop as well as Art Bennet’s. In addition, he previously managed the Nordic ski retail shop at Royal Gorge in Donner Summit, California, America’s largest cross country ski area. He has also worked at Scandinavian, a Nordic ski retailer in New York City, and worked in various functions at Telemark Resort in Cable, Wisc., home of the American Birkebeiner.

May 14, 2012 (Denver, CO) – The 2012 SIA Snow Show, launching all that’s new for 2013, was held in Denver, CO earlier this year and SkiTrax caught up with many exhibiting companies to find out about their latest product offerings from the top end on down, including some fun stuff, for next season. Part 2 of our series of interviews offers a look at what’s new from from Rossignol, Atomic, Toko, and more from Swix – plus we stop in at the Madshus Aquavit Party…

May 11, 2012 (San Antonio, TX) – Earlier today, SnowSports Industries America (SIA) announced to their Board of Directors the 2013 SIA Snow Show (Jan 31-Feb 3, 2013) had officially reached “sold-out” status for exhibitor booth space at the Colorado Convention Center. The announcement came during SIA’s annual spring Board of Directors meeting, being held this week in-conjunction with the NSAA (National Ski Areas Association) National Convention & Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas. Although Snow Show exhibitor booth space is currently sold-out, SIA will maintain a waiting list for interested companies.

SIA’s Board of Directors also voted to not increase booth space fees for the 2013 SIA Snow Show, which represents seven years of booth fees remaining the same.

“After this season’s less than stellar snowfall, it’s encouraging to see our industry continue to stay positive and look to the future. Selling out booth space this far in advance certainly speaks to the relevance of the Snow Show and its importance to the entire snow sports community,” commented SIA’s Chair, Tim Petrick.

The 2013 SIA Snow Show is scheduled for January 31-February 3, 2013 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver and expects to draw thousands of attendees including suppliers, retailers, reps, athletes and professionals from the snow sports industry. SIA’s On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest will follow the Snow Show at Winter Park Resort and Devil’s Thumb Ranch from February 4-5, 2013.

“The great thing about the SIA Snow Show is that you get to see entire lines as well as browse for things that may fill gaps. Comparing sales statistics and products regionally is great, but it’s even better to hear what people on the other side of the Mississippi are saying. I feel by going to Denver you get a true sense of the over-all industry vibe,” commented Breg Culver, owner of Sliders Snowboard Shop based in Colden, NY.

The SIA Snow Show consistently provides the most authentic and relevant show experience for the snow sports industry. In fact, 94% of exhibitors and 96% of retailers surveyed this year met their objectives at the SIA Show. The SIA Show floor presented 96% of the supplier snow sports market share with 80.7% of the industry’s retail buying power (a 3% increase over 2011) in attendance to see the latest in snow. The 2012 Show included 334,640 net square feet, 470 exhibitors, 927 brands as well as over 1,000 television, radio, newspaper and online journalists covering the new products, events, appearances, concerts and parties that happen only during the SIA Snow Show.

“The SIA Snow Show is a resounding success for our company; it’s the perfect blend of business, fun, and snowboarding. The positive vibe that emanated from this year’s Show has come around full circle with SIA selling out this early,” added Dan Sullivan, Director of Sales, Rome Snowboards.

“The Snow Show is really the only place where all the companies bring together their infrastructure for the industry to meet and discuss pending issues, future ideas, problems, solutions, etc,” said Andrew Shaw, rep for Marker Volkl USA, Baffin Polar Proven, Bern Unlimited, Seirus Innovations, Superfeet, and Under Armour.

During the two-days of the On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest, snow sports retailers and media test out gear and accessories previewed at the Show including ski, snowboard, Nordic, AT, and backcountry products while other attendees get time on the slopes/trails and hang with industry friends. The Demo is hosted in-conjunction with the Western Winter Sports Reps Association’s (WWSRA) Rocky Mountain Demo and in partnership with Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA).

For updates on events, seminars and general information regarding next year’s Snow Show and On-Snow Demo, please visit siasnowshow.com. And for 24/7 updates on fashion, industry news and SIA year-round member programs, visit the SIA Social Dashboard and stay connected with SIA’s Facebook page, Twitter feeds (#SIA13), photos and videos.

December 07, 2011 (Washington, DC) – SnowSports Industries America (SIA) and The Leisure Trends Group have released the first set of RetailTRAK Data (Aug – Oct 2011) for the 2011/2011 snow sports season. The data reveals that snow sports retail sales are off to a strong start this season and equipment is leading the charge.

Overall, snow sports retail receipts are up 14% in dollars sold and 7% in units sold August – October (pre-season) 2011. Total snow sports pre-season sales increased from $565M through October 2010 to $644M through Oct 2011.

“We entered this season with inventories full of 2011/2012 gear after last season’s epic conditions that kept participants on the slopes and in the shops well into spring. Consumers began this season with uninterrupted enthusiasm for the coming La Niña repeat and it is definitely showing up in equipment sales.” commented Kelly Davis, SIA’s Director of Research.

Pre-season sales in the snow sports market traditionally serve as opportunities for consumers to get discounts on items left in inventories over the summer, but this year consumers were buying snow sports gear at full price at the Labor Day and Columbus Day sales. This phenomenon is most apparent in alpine equipment where buxom sales led the pre-season market. Apparel and accessories sales also gained over last season and strong prices seen at the end of the 2010/2011 season continued into the early 2011/2012 season.

Trends to watch in 2011/2012
– Reverse and mixed camber ski sales doubled compared to pre-season sales a year ago to 32,000 pairs.
The fatter, the better – flat skis with waist widths 95mm-110mm are up 60% in units sold to more than 20,000 units in the first months of 2011/2012.
– Rocker/Reverse camber snowboard sales continue to rise; now 70% of all boards sold are rocker.
– Bargain hunters will notice that snowboard apparel average prices are down 4% from August – October 2010.
– Helmets sales continue to grow, unit sales are up 12.5% so far this season.
– Sales of beacons, probes and shovels, necessities for the backcountry experience, are up 19% in units sold.

Consumers are looking for snow sports gear in every sales channel and all three retail channels measured experienced growth in the early season. Online sales are up 12% in units sold and 19% in dollars, while chain store sales are up 10% in units and 10% dollars sold. However, specialty retail continues to dominate the snow sports market with 70% of all retail equipment sales and almost 50% of all retail sales overall. Specialty shop sales reached $319M, a new record for the August to October time frame; up 12% in dollars sold, driven by big gains in equipment sales. Equipment sales in specialty shops increased 12% in units sold and 19% in dollars sold. Chain stores sell about 25% of all snow sports apparel and accessories but just 6% of all equipment. It’s very clear that core snow sports participants, particularly those that purchase equipment enjoy the distinctive expertise that snow sports specialty shops offer to savvy consumers.

The market data presented in this report comes from the Snow Sports RetailTRAK produced for SIA by the Leisure Trends Group. The Leisure Trends Group gathers RetailTRAK data directly from the Point of Sale systems of more than 1,200 snow sports retailers. For more information about snow sports retail sales and other SIA Research products including the Snow Sports Participation Study, Revisiting Growing the Snow Sports Industry, the Snow Sports Uniform Purchasing Study, the Snow Sports Rental Equipment Survey and much more, please contact Kelly Davis, SIA’s Director of Research at KDavis@snowsports.org.

Topline/category retail sales data for the snow sports market is available as a member benefit to all SIA members. In addition, you gain free access to topline data for the Running, Outdoor, and Paddle Sports when you register. The topline data is accessible on a 24/7/365 basis on the Leisure Trends Cross-Industry RetailTRAK data portal. Non-SIA members may subscribe to the topline portal for just $375 per year. To sign up for topline data click HERE.

September 16, 2011 (Haverhill, MA) – Swix Sport USA, recognized as the leader in Ski and Snowboard waxes and tuning tools for winter sports enthusiasts is pleased to announce its partnership with DMT Diamond Machining Technology (DMT) to create a line of co-branded custom diamond ski-tuning stones. DMT will produce two custom Swix Sport ski and snowboard sharpeners – 70 mm and 111mm long – in 5 grits. These sharpeners will be unique to Swix and will feature DMT’s iconic polka dot pattern.

Swix Sport USA will become the largest distributor of DMT’s ski and snowboard sharpening stones in the US. “With this step, Swix has strengthened its position as the number one Alpine Tuning Tool supplier in the ski and snowboard industry,” said Steven Poulin, CEO of Swix Sport USA.

“Skiers and snowboarders recognize the value of DMT diamond stones to improve their performance on the slopes. This partnership with Swix Sport USA will get the DMT brand in front of more people. The strength of the Swix brand will boost our presence in the ski and snowboard market,” said Mark Brandon, President of DMT.

Poulin agrees both companies will benefit from partnering in product development, logistics, sales and marketing.

“With the vast distribution power of Swix and our ability to reach thousands of specialty retailers, combined with DMT’s engineering and product development, this partnership makes complete sense for both brands,” said Poulin.

Next month, DMT will deliver the first of its Swix Sport sharpeners in the United States. The companies plan on extending the program Worldwide in 2012.