Summary

The global snowboarding market, when compared to alpine skiing, is a smaller segment, notably overshadowed by the latter. The overall snow sports market is mature, with ski and snowboard equipment sales generating $4.075 billion in revenue in 2020, projecting a stable CAGR of 3% between 2021 and 2026. Despite stable participation with 300 to 350 million ski resort visitors annually, there's a positive trend, driven particularly by China's development of ski resorts and hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics. Snowboarding, however, comprises a sliver of the market; only 700,000 snowboards were sold globally in 2019 compared to 3.2 million pairs of alpine skis. Burton Snowboards leads with a 32% share of global industry revenue, translating to an estimated $400 million in 2018. The French market is reflective of international trends, facing challenges such as a declining youth interest in winter sports, higher participation among the affluent, and shifting holiday preferences towards later in the season. Protective equipment is becoming increasingly popular, reflecting a growing safety consciousness among snow sports enthusiasts..### Navigating Through the Snowboarding Market Trends in France Within the French market, the patterns of consumption for snowboarding equipment and participation reveal significant insights into the industry's state and demand. Despite the considerable popularity of mountain board sports globally, a closer inspection of the French context delineates a fairly circumscribed interest towards snowboarding relative to the dominant activity of alpine skiing. The trends in the French market point to a snowboarding scene that, while active, commands a significantly smaller segment of the winter sports market. Here, alpine skiing takes the lion's share, with a reported market valuation of nearly €500 million, accounting for over two-thirds of the total winter sports revenue within the country. In contrast, snowboarding lags behind, amounting to a value of between €130 and €140 million. The involvement of the French population in snowboarding is indicative of a niche but passionate community. Among those who venture into the mountains for sports, the prevalence of snowboarding over skiing is markedly low, with a mere 14% favoring the former. This number starkly contrasts with the 57% who pursue skiing, showing the skewed interest between the two sports. Even when looking at the ownership of equipment, a minority—albeit a significant one—of 53% of snowboarders owns their gear, as compared to 47% of skiers. Moreover, snowboarding in France seems to be a seasonal affair, with tangible spikes in interest surfacing primarily in the winter months of January and February. During these periods, the number of internet searches and presumably the demand for equipment and resort visits, surge. Nonetheless, the palpable concentration of interest around the prime winter holidays and the early months of the year underscores the cyclical nature of demand inherent to this market segment. The distribution and manufacturing aspects of snowboarding further augment the overall picture of the industry's structure. American brands hold sway over the market, emphasizing the dominance of international players in the French landscape. Manufacturing processes remain complex, and renting equipment rather than purchasing seems to be a prevailing behavior among enthusiasts, with 53% of snowboarders preferring to rent. Rental rates have seen an increase, indicative of a consumer base that gravitates towards practicality and convenience. A snapshot of the French snowboarding market thus illustrates a scenario where demand, while stable, is circumscribed by seasonality, influenced by international brand presence, and overshadowed by the pervasive preference for skiing. Although snowboarding retains a committed group of followers, it operates within a framework shaped.### Key Contenders of the Global Snowboarding Scene The snowboarding industry, while a niche segment within the broader realm of winter sports, is characterized by the prominence of a few influential brands that have managed to carve out a significant place for themselves on the market. These companies not only shape the industry with their product offerings but also influence the trends and technologies that define the sport of snowboarding. Let's dive into the profiles of such impactful players that keep the snow slopes thrilling. **Burton Snowboards:** Headquartered in the United States, Burton is a veritable giant in the snowboarding world. Not limited to producing high-quality snowboards, Burton's catalog spans clothing, accessories, and snowboarding gear such as helmets and gloves. With a strong heritage in snowboarding culture, it's a brand that transcends sports equipment, embodying a lifestyle and a standard to which others aspire. **Nitro:** Also rooted in the US, Nitro prides itself on balancing innovative design and traditional snowboarding values. Established in Seattle, their boards are crafted with precision and an attentiveness to rider needs in Austria, bringing together American creativity with European manufacturing finesse. **Libtech:** Operating under the parent company Mervin Manufacturing, Libtech is known for its eco-conscious approach to board production. Proudly made in the USA, Libtech boards are easily recognizable on the slopes thanks to their distinctive artwork and technological advancements in construction that offer a unique riding experience. **K2:** K2 is a well-established name that has been integral to snow sports for decades. While offering an extensive range of snowboards, the company is also known for its skis, creating a bridge between the two winter sports worlds and catering to a diverse range of mountain enthusiasts. **Ride:** As a brand that specifically caters to snowboarders, Ride has fostered a reputation for durability and high performance. Alongside snowboards, the company provides a full line of boots, bindings, and outerwear, enabling riders to get fully kitted out with gear that's unified in both style and function. **Rossignol:** Although French brand Rossignol is far more dominant in the alpine ski market, it still offers a respectable line of snowboards and accessories. With a significantly larger scale of ski production, Rossignol's presence in the snowboarding space is seen as more supplementary than core to its business model. ### Distribution and Rental Rigmaroles In the retail landscape, brick-and-mortar giants like **Décathlon**, **Inters

Get all the information you need
to understand this market

Detailed content

Inforamtion

  • Number of pages : 30 pages
  • Format : Digital and PDF versions
  • Last update : 01/09/2023
Update Details

Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definition and scope of study

The snowboard is a snow sport that competes with skiing. The equipment is characterized by a board snowboard, a pair of bindings and a pair of boots  adapted. There are different bindings on a snowboard such as the plate fasteners and the clamshell fasteners as well as different types of boards swallow tail, alpine, freestyle, freeride, boardercross or splitboard . I mean, come on, various disciplines snowboarding have emerged in recent years, such as racing, the freestyle or the boardercross even though the casual use and amateur remains the most widespread in France.

The world market for ski and snowboard equipment is expected to grow by 3% CAGR between 2021 and 2026, driven by emerging markets such as China, which is developing its winter sports infrastructure. However, snowboarding represents only a minor part of the market

In France, snowboarding is a niche market reserved for a an insider public with only 14% of French people who are used to going to the mountains practising this sport with a hegemonic dominance of skiing. The French snowboard market is also mostly impacted by the good attendance of ski resorts in France.

The leading brands of snowboarding, are often pure players like Burton or Nitro and also offer derivative products related to this sport. Other brands specialising in skiing such as Rossignol or Salomon have developed their snowboard ranges. Other important players in this market are the distributors, both for sale and for rent in the resort .

To halt the market decline, producers are trying to develop technical innovations to improve performance . From new boards are also increasingly sought after like splitboards .

List of charts

  • Nombre de skieurs en Europe, par pays
  • Evolution du nombre de journées-skieurs
  • World market for ski equipment
  • Ventes d'équipements de ski en volume dans le monde
  • Pourcentage de la population qui part en vacances à la montagne l'hiver, par catégorie professionnelle
Show more Hide

All our studies are available online in PDF format

Take a look at an example of our research on another market!

Do you have a question about this study?   +44 238 097 0676

Latest news

Rossignol takes advantage of the good ski season and continues to diversify - 28/04/2023
  • In its 2022-2023 financial year, which ended on March 31, the Tricolor Group posted sales of 401 million euros, up 28%.
  • growth in all markets, particularly France (+36%)
  • the domestic market accounts for only 20% of sales.
  • The rest of Europe also saw strong growth (+39%)
  • North America (40% of sales), up 16%.
  • Winter sports-related sales (skis and equipment) account for 80% of Rossignol's business.
  • Diversification to become a key four-season player in the mountains
  • The share of the "Apparel" division, (footwear and cycling apparel), has increased fivefold since 2015, reaching 20% of total group revenues
Rossignol's industrial tricks to pamper athletes - 04/04/2023
  • Rossignol: 1,230 employees,
  • 313 million euros in sales by 2021-2022.
  • Rossignol has 153 athletes in its sponsorship program.
  • 59 medals won at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games.
Ski manufacturer Rossignol adapts its range to climate change - 06/03/2023
  • Rossignol holds a 17.4% worldwide share of the alpine ski market, 22.8% of the Nordic ski market, 18.4% of the ski boot market and 21.9% of the bindings market
  • ski market estimated at 400 million skier-days (daily visits by one person to a ski area, including 53.9 million in France)
  • Textiles now account for 20% of Group sales, up from 5% in 2015
Rossignol relies on ready-to-wear to sell year-round - 16/11/2022
  • World leader in alpine and Nordic skiing
  • Sales €313 million in 2022
  • Expected sales in 2026: €500 million
  • Expansion of ready-to-wear (20% of current business)
  • Global outdoor clothing market worth €118 billion
  • 30 Rossignol boutiques
  • New directly-operated Start Gate outlets
  • 4 factories

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Burton Snowboards
Nitro
Skis Rossignol
Intersport International
Skiset Compagnie des loueurs de skis
Salomon (Amer Sport groupe)

Choosing this study means :

Access to more than 35 hours of work

Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.

Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced

Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.

Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.

Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data

Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).

To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)

Guaranteed support after your purchase

A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676

A digital format designed for our users

Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.

Our offers :

the snowboard market | France

89 €
  • What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
  • What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
  • What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
  • Data from several dozen databases

Pack 5 études (-15%) France

75.6 € / study
378 € instead of 445 € -15%
  • 5 études au prix de 75,6€HT par étude à choisir parmi nos 800 titres sur le catalogue France pendant 12 mois
  • Conservez -15% sur les études supplémentaires achetées
  • Choisissez le remboursement des crédits non consommés au terme des 12 mois (durée du pack)

Consultez les conditions du pack et de remboursement des crédits non consommés.

Updates

Our customer references

They have consulted our studies Discover the opinions (+500)

Malcolm Vincent
Linkedin logo

Malcolm Vincent

Astoria Finance

Gregoire de Castelnau
Linkedin logo

Gregoire de Castelnau

Stags Participations

Timothé Huignard
Linkedin logo

Timothé Huignard

PWC

Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff
Linkedin logo

Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff

BCG

Aymeric Granet
Linkedin logo

Aymeric Granet

Publicis Consultant

interviews & case studies All interviews and case studies (45)

La pépite Interview

BFM Business

Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff

Boston Consulting Group

Marie Guibart

Kea Partners

Elaine, Durand

Crédit Agricole, Information & Veille

Philippe Dilasser

Initiative & Finance

Anne Baudry

Metro

Amaury Wernert

Kroll (Duff & Phelps)

Smart Leaders Interview

B-Smart

Do you have a question ?
Our team is at your disposal at   +44 238 097 0676