Bargains Likely On Certain Kinds Of Skis

Sun., Sept. 21, 1997

The snow-sports product industry recorded a record $2 billion in retail sales last year, the second consecutive record season and a 19 percent increase over the previous year.

Shaped-ski sales accounted for 57 percent of all adult ski sales in specialty shops last year, according to SnowSports Industries America (SIA).

The popularity of the new shaped ski, combined with flat sales in Japan where some ski manufacturers actually sent unsold product back to the U.S., should create bargains for pre-season sale shoppers.

Conventionally-shaped skis should be available at bargain prices.

According to Gart Sports President Doug Morton, in charge of 62 stores in six western states, there is an abundance of snowboards available this year at good prices.

“This is the best year for equipment buys,” said Morton from his office in Colorado. “At one time, the Japanese market was as big as the U.S. But, last year, it just died. A lot of ski companies sent stuff back to the U.S. for the first time.”

SIA figures snowboard sales increased 9 percent to $57 million last year while sales of cross country equipment dropped 9 percent to $78 million.

Tony Hedgecock at Marker International said shaped skis earned an 80 percent favorable rating in a recent poll of users.

“I’ve never seen that high a product rating. We have a product that makes it easier to ski and have more fun. Even people like myself have switched over. I don’t have a pair of what I would call normal skis.”

The shaped skis can be purchased in shorter lengths, ski like much longer conventional skis, and still turn easily at slow speeds. Helicopter ski guide Joe Royer says the new skis have improved the skiing ability of people he used to ski circles around.

, DataTimes

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