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Discover a Hut-to-Hut Adventure: For more experienced cross-country skiers, Maine offers one of the best lodge-to-lodge routes in the U.S.Learn Cross-Country: These nine winter wonderlands offer a seamless introduction to the sport through lessons, meticulously groomed trails and nearby activities when you need a break.Consider the Indy Pass : This lower-cost pass targets skiers who like to stay local and try smaller, independently owned mountains, while saving money.Ski Savvier With a Multi-Mountain Pass: The rise of seasonal passes is transforming the experience, but tactical skiers can dodge the crowds and reap the benefits.Know the Covid Protocols: At many resorts this year, guests can expect shorter lift lines and less outdoor masking.Get Your Gear Now: Rising demand and supply shortages will make it harder to secure skis and other winter equipment.Here's what to know to make the most of the season. “Virtually every pair of skis and boots were sold last year.”Īs temperatures fall, many look forward to skiing or riding down a snow-covered trail. “Another supply chain issue that is unique to the outdoor industry was the massive consumer demand from last year that has carried over to this year,” said Reese Brown, the executive director of the Cross Country Ski Areas Association. The current season’s sales figures include a spillover by shoppers who were frustrated last winter. “All goods are suffering from higher shipping costs and major shipping delays before and after they arrive at ports in North America,” said Kelly Davis, the director of research for the association. Still, prices are likely to be higher this year. But many skis are made in Europe, where factories have not had the pandemic-related slowdowns seen in Asia. The Outdoor Industry Association, which represents more than 1,200 manufacturers, distributors, retailers and others in outdoor businesses, said snow gear manufacturing has been affected by aluminum and carbon fiber shortages. Just getting goods in stores is a challenge. “We will have no problem selling everything, but folks buying early are doing the right thing. Though retailers like REI say they are well-stocked now, ski sales are already growing by triple digits each week. The surge to the slopes last year also drove traffic to ski shops, which couldn’t keep up with demand. In this pinch, how is a snow fan to gear up - literally - for the season ahead? The following are a few strategies that span the spectrum of budgets. Supply chain issues, which have plagued manufacturing, are also threatening snow sports equipment, especially apparel. “There wasn’t enough inventory in the marketplace to articulate how big the trend to snow sports was,” said Ben Johns, the general merchandising manager for action sports at the outdoor retailer REI.Īs of this August, REI’s sales of winter equipment had begun to rise dramatically, with cross country and snowshoeing equipment running ahead of downhill.
Alpine equipment outpaced that, growing 8 percent. Snow sports equipment, which includes things like snowshoes and cross-country skis as well as alpine skis and snowboards, was up 7 percent between August 2020 and March 2021 compared to the same period before the pandemic, according to the retail analysts NPD Group. Many of those skiers and riders also purchased or rented equipment, causing sales to surge at retailers, resellers and rental services.