After a challenging year marked by disappointing snowfall and continued economic pressure on small businesses and consumers alike, we're heading into the upcoming ski and snowboard season with renewed optimism and a continued focus on making winter sports more affordable for Colorado families!
For independently owned ski shops, snowfall can have an enormous impact on business. When snow arrives late or conditions are inconsistent, fewer people head to the mountains, which means fewer rentals, fewer equipment purchases and fewer visits to local ski shops.
Those challenges are magnified for small businesses like us already dealing with rising operating costs and customers who are increasingly careful about discretionary spending.
"Last season was difficult, and when you're the small fish in this big pond, you feel the effects of a low-snow year very quickly," said Aaron Lifford, owner of Rocky Mountain Ski + Sport. "At the same time, we understand that our customers are dealing with many of the same economic pressures. Skiing and snowboarding are already expensive sports, so our goal has been to find ways to make getting on the mountain affordable for as many people as possible."
That philosophy has become a major part of our shops identity.
Rather than focusing exclusively on the newest and most expensive equipment, we specialize in demo and used skis, snowboards, boots and bindings while also offering heavily discounted new equipment.
Our shop has helped thousands of customers get into skiing and snowboarding at a fraction of the cost traditionally associated with purchasing equipment.
Complete used snowboard packages are available starting around $180, while complete used ski packages can start as low as $150, and we're also running sales or willing to negotiate with customers to help them get the gear they need at a price that makes sense.
For families outfitting multiple children, beginners trying the sport for the first time, or experienced skiers and snowboarders simply looking for a better value, the savings can make the difference between participating in the sport and sitting out the season.
"We don't think skiing and snowboarding should only be accessible to people who can afford to spend $800+ on a new setup," said Lifford. "There is a tremendous amount of good equipment already out there. By giving quality used gear a second life and finding opportunities to offer new equipment at significant discounts, we're able to help people get outside for considerably less money."
The used-equipment model also provides an alternative to the traditional cycle of purchasing new equipment every few seasons. We carry equipment for everyone from first-time skiers and snowboarders to experienced riders looking for higher-performance gear without paying full retail prices.
Our approach has become increasingly relevant as the cost of participating in winter sports continues to be a concern for many families. Equipment is only one part of the expense, with lift tickets, transportation, lodging and food all contributing to the cost of a day or weekend in the mountains.
We can't control the price of a lift ticket, the price of gas or how much snow falls, but what we can control is how much it costs someone to get properly equipped. That's where we feel like we can make a real difference.
Despite the difficulties of the previous season, Rocky Mountain Ski + Sport is optimistic heading into this winter.
For a locally owned, family operated business, a successful season isn't measured only by sales. It's also measured by how many people are able to experience skiing and snowboarding who otherwise might have assumed the sport was outside their budget.
Some of our favorite customers are the people who walk in thinking they can't afford to buy equipment. When we're able to put together a complete setup that fits their budget and gets them onto the mountain, that's what we're here for. We've helped thousands of people do that, and we're hoping to help thousands more!
About Rocky Mountain Ski + Sport
Rocky Mountain Ski + Sport is a locally owned ski and snowboard shop in Colorado Springs specializing in affordable new and used winter sports equipment, rentals, season rentals, tuning and repair services. The shop serves beginners, families and experienced skiers and snowboarders with a focus on making skiing and snowboarding more accessible and affordable.
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