Lack Of Snow Affects Winter Sales

The unusually dry winter has affected businesses that depend on winter snow gear sales, but local shops have been holding steady.

?Yeah, it?s crazy,? said Jared Burt of Rexburg Motor Sports. ?We?ve been selling more motorcycles and four-wheelers and side-by-sides this winter, quite a bit more than in past years because of the extended fall.?

This is a good thing for business, since snowmobile sales suddenly tapered off after holding steady during November and December.

?With the big snowstorm coming in, it?ll really help the snowmobiling sales because we?ll have fresh powder to ride in up in the mountains. That?ll help make up for these past couple of weeks,? said Burt.

Rexburg Motor Sports isn?t the only business experiencing an odd sales season to due the lack of snow.

Idaho Mountain Trading in Idaho Falls is selling mountain bikes in January, which owner Richard Napier says is helping his business stay out of the red.

?We?re still selling mountain bikes and road bikes too. So that?s been stronger in winter season than normal,? Napier said.

He says men?s skis have flatlined this season along with rentals. But women?s skis and snowboards are consistently sought-after products.

?We’re anticipating a big revival. The ski hills are in decent shape, they’re not in great shape but their in decent shape so things are looking good,? Napier said.

He added that because the area has experienced really cold days, winter clothing sales have not dropped off at all.