The ski equipment market - Spain (2023)

The global ski equipment market is on an upward trajectory, estimated to reach USD 7.5 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4.8%. Despite challenges such as unpredictable weather and counterfeit products, the industry is buoyed by increasing participation in winter sports, bolstered by a robust tourism industry that saw 1.34 billion international tourists. However, the Spanish ski equipment market faced a substantial setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, with a sharp 72% decline in tourist numbers to 1.5 million and a significant 68.4% drop in ski resort turnover, plummeting to a low before surging back with a 330.1% increase in turnover to €160.1 million in 2021-2022.

Market leaders in ski equipment rental and retail reflect these wider trends, constituting 5% to 7% and 5.1% respectively of total turnovers within ski resorts and sports retailers in Spain. Notably, market share data from 2020 showcases Head as the leading brand in ski shoes (26.9%) and main ski equipment (28.6%) in Spain, with the country witnessing a slight recovery in ski equipment ownership among its population from 6% in 2020 to 8.5% by 2022.

Exploring the Vibrant Spanish Ski Market: Key Trends and Figures

The Spanish ski market is an intriguing landscape that encompasses both ski clothing and equipment. This dynamic market has been witnessing varying trends influenced by local and global factors. The popularity of skiing in Spain is underscored by the country's rich array of resorts dotted across the majestic Pyrenees, the enticing Sierra Nevada, and other prominent mountain ranges, attracting a significant proportion of mountain system tourists. Skiing enjoys considerable favor in Spain, with men predominantly participating in the sport. The age of skiers spans a broad spectrum, with under 18s making up approximately a quarter of skiers, and the average skier's age being around 40. Over the years, the participation levels have seen ups and downs, peaking in certain years against a backdrop where a single-digit percentage of the overall population engaged in skiing. As for the market of ski equipment and sports, Spain is home to a blend of alpine and Nordic ski resorts, with the majority being alpine. The market for ski equipment comprises various disciplines from alpine to snowboarding and includes products tailored to different user competencies.

Notably, new and thrilling disciplines such as snowbiking and snowscooting continue to infuse the market with dynamism. The ski market's brand landscape is quite competitive, with key players like Head and Rossignol capturing significant shares, both in terms of equipment and footwear. Despite fluctuations in the economic climate, certain regions in Spain have shown stronger ownership levels of ski equipment, reflecting geographical trends and proximity to ski-friendly topographies. The ownership of ski equipment within the Spanish population showed minor variations, witnessing a slight decline, and then experiencing recovery by 2022. Interestingly, there's a much higher prevalence of ski equipment rental, suggesting that the majority of ski enthusiasts prefer renting to owning equipment. Foreign trade in ski products has seen a decrease in both imports and exports over the years, indicating a need for the market to adapt and possibly innovate to alter this trend. On the standards front, a wealth of ISO standards safeguards the quality and safety of ski equipment, contributing to user confidence and market stability. Despite the setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a drastic drop in ski resort turnover, the Spanish market is well on the road to recovery, registering a substantial increase in turnover by 2022.

The Key Players of the Spanish Ski Equipment Landscape

When discussing the landscape of ski equipment in Spain, several primary stakeholders emerge as essential influencers and suppliers within the market. These stakeholders range from foreign specialty brands to local experts and key distributors, each contributing unique offerings to enthusiasts and professionals alike.

• Foreign Specialists Renowned for innovation and quality, the foreign specialist segment features some of the most prestigious names in ski equipment.
• Brands like Salomon, a part of the Adidas Group, and Head are household names among skiing communities. Both have established themselves as frontrunners in ski technology and design.
• Fusalp and Millet are also part of this league, where Fusalp is often associated with stylish and high-performance ski clothing, and Millet is recognized for its robust range of skiing and mountaineering gear.
• The Tecnica Group, with Blizzard and Nordica under its umbrella, further diversifies the market with its array of specialized skiing equipment, known for engineering boots and skis that cater to a broad spectrum of users.
• Spanish Specialists : On the local front, Trangoworld stands out as a Spanish specialist with a deep heritage rooted in designing mountain and outdoor gear. The company is respected for its dedication to creating high-quality products that suit the diverse terrain of Spanish ski resorts.
• Liken may not boast the same level of fame, but it is a promising brand that reflects Spain’s growing influence in the ski equipment sector.
• Furthermore, Rossignol’s Spanish division demonstrates how global brands are tapping into the local market, tailoring their offerings to cater to Spanish consumers' specific preferences and needs.
• Ski Equipment Distributors The distribution sector is crucial in making ski products accessible to the wider public.
• Decathlon is a powerhouse in this domain, offering an extensive selection of ski gear under its own brands, such as Wedze and INOVIK, and providing options for every level of skier at competitive prices.
• Similarly, Decimas plays a vital role in the retail aspect by supplying a variety of ski products, often serving as a bridge between the manufacturers and the end-users.

These players collectively shape the vibrant ski equipment market in Spain. They cater to an audience that values both the performance and the pleasure of skiing, reflecting the diverse landscapes and cultures that the sport represents in the country. With each brand bringing their signature to the slopes, Spanish skiers are indeed spoiled for choice.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 13/06/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts presented in this market study

• Distribución porcentual de los turistas del esquí en España según la cordillera
• Porcentaje de personas que practicaron esquí en España
• Perfil de los practicantes de esqui
• Porcentaje de los turistas de la nieve que tuvieron un forfait esquí
• Porcentaje de la población española que tiene esquís en casa
• Porcentaje de españoles que tienen equipos de esquí y que practicaron esquí en el año anterior
• Porcentaje de Españoles que tuvieron equipos de esquí comprados según género en 2022
• Porcentaje de españoles que tienen equipos de esquí según la edad
• Porcentaje de españoles que tiene equipos de esquí según la situación profesional
• Distribución porcentual entre los que alquilaron esquí y los que ya tuvieron en la temporada 2021-2022
• Evolución del comercio exterior español en cuanto a los bienes vinculados con el esquí
• Facturación de las estaciones de esquí en España
• Facturación estimada del alquiler de material de esquí en España
• Estimación de la facturación del retail de los deportes de nieve