 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Some Michigan (US) resorts had a poor start to the season back in Dec 2023 and reported weaker demand for early kit.
Low snow = low sales.
High snow = high sales.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I can see rental is down when snow is really poor, as people aren’t skiing when there’s no snow.
Things like clothing and gloves etc. are probably affected similarly. If people aren’t skiing, they’re not thinking of replacing any of their worn gears.
Don’t know how ski sale is affected as I have no idea what makes people want to buy new skis.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Unlikely to buy new skis to ski over stones and mud.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| abc wrote: |
I can see rental is down when snow is really poor, as people aren’t skiing when there’s no snow.
Things like clothing and gloves etc. are probably affected similarly. If people aren’t skiing, they’re not thinking of replacing any of their worn gears.
Don’t know how ski sale is affected as I have no idea what makes people want to buy new skis. |
Have you never bought new skis?
The n+1 strikes harder when thinking about a trip!
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If folk are now changing or picking ski resorts late on, for example there was anecdotal talk here in January of it being unprecedentedly busy in places such as Val Thorens, then it’s a natural assumption that other places have lost out.
Booking.com etc allow you to hedge your bets with some free cancellation accommodation, is picking an area late becoming a ski trip trend?
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@Csb123, …ah…interesting…
I am likely to buy skis when the snow is good - I can muck about and experiment on new planks
I am likely to buy skis when snow is poor since I don’t want to wreck the skis I just bought in anticipation of a good snow season
But that’s just us ….
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| Thomasski wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
Don’t know how ski sale is affected as I have no idea what makes people want to buy new skis. |
Have you never bought new skis?
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I only bought new skis when my old skis are falling apart. And even then, I may choose to fix them and continue to use them. 
That said, if I’m not enjoying my skiing, I maybe tempted to buy new skis in the hope the new skis will make skiing more enjoyable? Fortunately I don’t seem to be having too much of such experience. I’ve been enjoying my skiing enough to not need to worry about my skis.
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The n+1 strikes harder when thinking about a trip!
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I don’t really have time to “think” about skiing. I’m too busy skiing.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Not sure that’s the situation around Chamonix …
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£160 a week to rent some planks which probably cost £500-600 wholesale
I suspect we are seeing many people priced out of skiing with all the other costs
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads  on Mon 26-02-24 22:45; edited 1 time in total
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@abc, ...excellent
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| hammerite wrote: |
Here in Andorra it’s been a pretty poor snow year. The ski shops are struggling as a result. Sales are down (one report said the worst on record) and rentals are also down. People are renting for short periods at a time just in case they decide not to ski because of the conditions.
I wonder if this is a similar picture elsewhere? |
It has always been like that. Early saison in the alps was exceptionally good, though, with excellent conditions holding out past New Year. That should already make up for a huge chunk of the expected sales, even more so counted in value. After that there might have been a down turn in the run up to half term, but things are getting better now. I don't expect crazy low prices over the summer, if that was the question.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@hammerite, had a long and unprompted conversation on this topic in a shop in Meribel a few weeks back (before the recent snow hit).
Her comment was that both the low snow volume and warmer temperatures meant both less ski sales and less clothing sales....
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Poster: A snowHead
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My Ski Boot liners have seen better days. When/if the boots go, I'm not sure it'll be worth the time and effort to replace them?
Same goes for the rest of my ski gear.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@hamilton, …yep
So the macro trend?
Messaging in media - skiing is f….. bec of climate change - not so but that’s the abiding impression - doom!! gloom!!
Will become self-fulfilling…
Erratic snow cover - fewer people are booking ahead, more chancing it, but then fewer skiing overall - aging skiing population and younger finding different things to do - like snowboard using a VR headset in their bedroom
Brexit - there I said it - decimated the UK chalet industry and although it’s sort of staggering to a recovery no way is it what it was…but note prior to Brexit CH previously changed rules to reduce exploitation of workers so it was a trend already. 90 in 180 rule a pain for anyone - like the Grom - who was on a path to instructing for a year in CH
Poverty and inequality - COVID and the general way of things has stressed finances - inequality is growing.
Ukraine - lots of liquid money was flowing around and into skiing (Courchevel, Crans) - that’s all stopped
Greening of the world - something which I really really support - will probably lead to much less flying - removal of all the tax breaks and subsidies to air transport - which will REALLY push down skiing…big time. Unless the trains get their international act together, this simply will hit skiing hard.
Consolidation and bankruptcy - USA had hundreds of small resorts. They have all gone. Bankrupt. Japan too. Vail is building and building, sniffing at failing resorts. Investment in infrastructure almost impossible in the face of climate change - who would put 20 million into a new lift when the return is so uncertain? Like flying…we ain’t seen nothing yet. Pass prices will escalate as numbers go down and resort managers panic. Oh dear. One way street.
I have just bought our first sets of touring skis. I am reading the runes and looking at the signs (often they are signs of Spring in February)….
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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People are just buying from online retailers like Decathlon
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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We knew inflation was hitting everyone and that it's not longer employees market, and yet prices skyrocketed again.
I took a different approach to snowboarding this year, have my own snowboarding setup, coffee mug and lunch box. I also used point ski pass instead of day ski pass. Kids are more happy because have more breaks, I'm happy because I'm spending less.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Now also available for skis on the online marketplace Refurbed
'Refurbed', the online marketplace for refurbished products, has expanded its range to include skis and snowboards. It is the first time that the platform offers refurbished products other than electronics in the Netherlands.
Encouraging reuse
Refurbed is active in seven countries and is expanding its product range in each country, but this time it is going beyond just electronics. The platform already offered products in categories such as smartphones, smartwatches, laptops and tablets, but now skis, snowboards and bicycles, for example, are being added. In this way, the company hopes to make a positive impact by encouraging reuse and combating the waste of raw materials in this sector as well.
Collaboration with Blue Tomato
For skis and snowboards, refurbed has partnered with Blue Tomato, a well-known retailer in Europe in the fields of snowboarding, freeskiing, surfing, skateboarding and street style. In 2020, they launched the so-called 'Snow Services', with the aim of extending the lifespan of products. You can return used snowboards and skis, which are then professionally refurbished. They can then be sold again, e.g. by refurbed.
https://www.refurbed.nl/sc/winter/
Also active in other countries
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| stanton wrote: |
Now also available for skis on the online marketplace Refurbed
'Refurbed', the online marketplace for refurbished products, has expanded its range to include skis and snowboards. It is the first time that the platform offers refurbished products other than electronics in the Netherlands.
Encouraging reuse
Refurbed is active in seven countries and is expanding its product range in each country, but this time it is going beyond just electronics. The platform already offered products in categories such as smartphones, smartwatches, laptops and tablets, but now skis, snowboards and bicycles, for example, are being added. In this way, the company hopes to make a positive impact by encouraging reuse and combating the waste of raw materials in this sector as well.
Collaboration with Blue Tomato
For skis and snowboards, refurbed has partnered with Blue Tomato, a well-known retailer in Europe in the fields of snowboarding, freeskiing, surfing, skateboarding and street style. In 2020, they launched the so-called 'Snow Services', with the aim of extending the lifespan of products. You can return used snowboards and skis, which are then professionally refurbished. They can then be sold again, e.g. by refurbed.
https://www.refurbed.nl/sc/winter/
Also active in other countries |
They're selling used redsters for £50 less than new ones... If you're spending over £500 on skis, why (aside from environmental concerns) would you bother taking the risk on something that has an unknown history? If they were £300-350 instead of ~£500 then it might make sense...
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FAQ
, which makes me like a cheapskate).