Split Swallowtail, $1040.00 and Split TB 172, $895.
www.winterstick.com
Retailer Contact: (970) 728-4024, Tom Burt
Tom Burt, Winterstick Snowboards
Tom Burt, Winterstick Snowboards
What are the biggest trends shaping the hardgoods market for next year?
Rocker technology across different models.
How has the market evolved over the last year and how do you see things changing for next?
The market for free-riding is expanding with lots of new riders being introduced to it through the media, including: TV, internet, movies, and magazines. Contests like The North Face Masters and the Freeride World Tour add more exposure, and add a media platform for riders and companies. I feel the future has steady growth on the freeride side of snowboarding.
How has sales forecasting changed for your company?
Our sales are small in numbers, but we are under a build-to-order business plan, with our boards being handcrafted in the USA. We expect our numbers to grow with the growth in the freeride/backcountry market.
What lessons have you learned with bookings for this season and how will you apply those to next? How are you working with retailers to help ensure strong margins and the right amount of product in the marketplace?
We do not have bookings or a retail presence. We have an Internet based ordering model.
How big are your lines going to be compared to years past? Have you seen customers being confused by too many different stories?
Our line has grown over the last few years, but this years remains the same as lasts, with the shining exception of offering all of our boards as split models.
Are you rethinking where you make product with the current difficulties in China?
Winterstick’s snowboards are handcrafted here in America at Wagner Custom, in Telluride, Colorado.
What opportunities do you see for growing hardgoods sales? (are you focusing more on kids, women, rentals, core retailers, chains, Internet, entry level product, high end, split boards, etc., etc.)Please explain:
The opportunity for growing Winterstick sales is in the high quality of our products and our commitment to the sport. Winterstick will stay true to its past and will move ahead with a strong focus on freeriding and the growth of split boards.
Where do you honestly foresee prices heading for next season?
Our pricing will remain consistent with the last few years.
We have been hearing a lot of green stories in all product categories. Is this something you are focusing on for hardgoods?
All Winterstick Boards are made in the Wagner Custom factory, which is a solar and wind powered shop that focuses on waste stream reduction and energy conservation.
