Freezing weather that started far north in Canada made its way south into the United States last week, bringing an early cold snap to the Flathead Valley and much of the surrounding region.
While living in Montana usually means being governed by the weather, it also means the weather can affect sales in local shops. This November, that has meant an increase in purchases of winter accessories from stores that usually don’t see this kind of activity until the snow starts flying.
Winter activities are part of what keeps the economy humming in Northwest Montana during the cold months, and sales across the country continue to maintain their high levels.
Outdoor enthusiasts bought nearly $2 billion worth of gear for the 2012-2013 season, according to SnowSports Industry of America, up about $200 million from the previous season.
At Sportsman and Ski Haus in Kalispell, manager and store assistant manager Kirsten Topel said the plummeting temperatures have driven customers other than the typical ski and snowboard hounds to the store.
“The cold has brought people in,” Topel said. “Normally you don’t get all the moms and dads shopping for kids’ snow pants and snow boots for school this early, but it’s not usually this cold.”
Hunting gear, especially the warm camouflage clothing, has also flown off the shelves, but the sales of boots and winter coats have been noticeable over the last week and a half.
Cold weather also makes people remember ski season is around the corner, Topel said, and the store is unloading plenty of gear.
“Cross country has taken off early this year, which is nice,” Topel said. “That’s something that doesn’t usually get super busy until the snow gets here.”
Avalanche safety gear, such as transceivers and poles, has also been popular, she said. The store will host a free avalanche safety seminar on Nov. 20, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In Evergreen, the fall slow season has ended for Replay Sports. Co-owner Rick Walker said the shoulder season is pretty calm for his store because he doesn’t sell hunting gear, but the frigid weather has people thinking about the winter.
“Skis, snowboards, hockey, snowshoes, anything winter, people are obviously focusing on it now,” Walker said. “We get a little lull in the action once we’re finished with the boating season. Then it’s just a full on battle for about three months of the winter, then we get a little breather in February.”
Walker said avalanche safety gear has been a favorite of customers so far, including a wide variety of avalanche airbag backpacks. A couple years ago there were only one or two manufacturers of the airbags, he said, but now there are easily 10 to 15.
Transceivers and beacons are also popular, he said.
Further north in Whitefish, The White Room is picking up its sales pace as winter descends, owner Tim Thomas said, which is usual for the store by this time of year.
“We’re a ski shop, so business always picks up right about the same time, but absolutely, we’ve seen definitely a bit of a spike in revenues since the cold snap,” Thomas said.
Harsh, freezing weather means the store sells more of its down accessories, and soft items like clothing instead of the hard items like skis and bindings.
But the also cold has also brought in skiers this year, he said, especially those looking for touring bindings to take on the unique uphill advantages that Whitefish Mountain Resort presents.
“Being able to get involved in touring without the risks that would be associated with backcountry skiing is a very unique opportunity,” Thomas said.
After nearly 10 years in business at the White Room, Thomas said he and his staff were prepared for the onslaught of customers seeking warm winter gear.
“It picks up on Oct. 1, and then it just gets kind of gnarly after that,” Thomas said.