SAM Magazine-Boulder, Colo., Dec. 24, 2010-In November, snowsports retail sales grew by a remarkable 33 percent in dollars. Specialty store sales leapt 36 percent, chain chain stores grew by 31 percent, and Internet sales were up 27 percent.

While the sales growth is somewhat misleading-November 2009 sales were very soft due to warm weather and a soft economy-there were several encouraging signs this year. the biggest: for the first time in over a decade, early-season sales of skis, boots and snowboards ere up significantly and kept pace with apparel and accessory sales.

Cold weather and an abundance of new, innovative products are fueling what could be a record year for sales, said Jason Gee, managing director of retail sales tracking for Leisure Trends Group, which produces sales reports for Snowsport Industries America. Rocker skis and snowboards are at the forefront of those innovations.

Snowsports growth has outpaced that of the wider outdoor industry, which saw November sales rise 26 percent, hitting the highest level since 2006. For the year, outdoor sales are up 10 percent from 2009.

With accelerating sales at the end of the November, December's wintery weather and heavy snow, along with many positive comments from retailers across the country, Leisure Trends senior retail analyst Scott Jaeger predicted that "December outdoor sales will be the strongest, and if margins continue to hold, most profitable in years."

Leisure Trends has noted that ski and snowboard goods top participants' wish lists this season, and that the percentage of those seeking snowsports gear is higher than last year. \

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