Snow Sports Market Finishes the 2009/2010 Season in the Black

McLean, VA - The final results are in for the 2009/2010 snow sports season and the market finished up 4% over last season in totals sales. Snow sport retailers sold $2.94 billion this season compared to $2.82 billion a year ago. Although sales were up in dollars, fewer units were sold this season.

The 2009/2010 season began with limited cash flow and tighter credit, caused by the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression. Before the season even started pre-season orders were down 10% to 40% and inventories, that were already smaller due to heavy carryover sales last season, stayed small. In fact, inventories started out this season 9% leaner than they were at the beginning of the 2008/2009 season. Small inventories meant that snow sports products were scarcer than normal and retailers sold fewer items at deep discounts. This season, fewer units were sold, but they were sold at higher prices, resulting in higher margins, an increase in dollars sold, leaner inventories at the end of the season and a generally healthier year for snow sports retailers.

“Business really picked up in February and March when the snow started falling again and we finished the season with a smaller inventory and stronger sales,” stated Randy Morgan, owner of Outpost SunSport, Fort Collins, CO.

The Ski Channel Announces The First Annual "SNOWBIZ 250"

The Top 250 Most Influential People In US Snowsports For The 2009/2010 Season
Denver, CO - Steve Bellamy, Chairman and CEO of The Ski Channel TheSkiChannel.com announced today at the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Snow Show that the network has launched its first annual "SNOWBIZ 250." It's a list of the most influential people in snowsports for the 2009/2010 ski and snowboard season. The comprehensive list includes athletes, agents, resort owners and executives, retailers, manufacturing executives, doctors, coaches, mayors, governors, filmmakers, publishers, editors, writers, network executives, and numerous other influential figures in the snowsports industry.
This year, athletes scored high, as two tied for first place as the most influential people in the industry. Lindsey Vonn, the World Cup Champion gives America great hope to win Gold Medals in Vancouver and is an unmatched media darling right now. Shaun White is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, a tremendously decorated snowboard champion as well as a cottage industry by himself. Last place or #250 went to Soldier Mountain owner and actor Bruce Willis. You can view the list online by clicking TheSkiChannel.com

A Foot of Fresh and SIA comes to Denver!

Georgetown, CO - Although we didn't get quite the snow the southern mountains did, over a foot of fresh snow fell on Loveland this past week. Slowly but surely the mountain is filling in and making for some excellent skiing and riding conditions. Most of the snowy weather has passed for now and the weather forecast for this weekend looks like mild temperatures and sunny skies; perfect skiing weather!

Loveland is also excited to welcome the Snowsports Industries America (SIA) Convention to Denver after 37 years in Las Vegas. The SIA convention features over 3,100 exhibitors and will bring an estimated 20,000 people to the Denver area through the weekend. In addition to the convention, ski areas including Loveland will be hosting apres parties to show off Denver's great nightlife and promote Colorado's amazing skiing and riding.

Loveland Hosts Apres Party in Denver for SIA!
Join Loveland Ski Area in Denver at Katie Mullin's Irish Restaurant & Pub for drink specials, giveaways and fun as we help welcome the SIA Tradeshow to Denver. Loveland Ski Area will be giving away lift tickets and 4-Paks each night and even a 2009-2010 Season Pass on Saturday night. Thursday night features a piano sing-a-long at 9:30pm. On Friday from 5-8:00pm, Pairadeux takes the stage followed by the resident DJ at 10:00pm. And you don't want to miss The Potcheen Folk Band on Saturday night for some Celtic Pirate Punk Rock at 10:00pm.
Loveland Info