Ski launch: Russians are less active in buying sports equipment in 2024
This fall, Russians have lost their previous interest in skis and skates: the demand for winter sports equipment has decreased by a quarter year-on-year, according to the analytical center "Check Index" of the company "Platform OFD". The reason could be the warm weather, due to which a stable snow cover has not yet formed in the European part of the country. In addition, skis and skates were actively bought up a year ago, so now only experienced athletes or those who have long planned to buy them and finally got together. But the Ministry of Economic Development is in a positive mood: they expect the number of visitors at ski resorts to grow - up to 22 million per season. How much skis and skates will cost on the threshold of winter - in the material "Izvestia".
Why has the demand for skis and skates fallen?
Demand for winter sports equipment fell this fall by 20-25% compared to the same period last year, according to data from the analytical center "Check Index" company "Platform OFD". In November, when the traditional sales are held, the volume of purchases decreased less noticeably, but it was still below last year's level by 10-12%.
The reasons were the current rather warm weather and lack of snow. Inaddition, skis and skates were well sold last year, because of which their purchase before the upcoming season for many irrelevant, believe analysts "Check Index". So far, winter equipment is purchased mainly by more experienced buyers or those who planned it in advance. As a rule, such consumers choose a higher quality inventory of high price segment.
- With the approach of the New Year and the appearance of stable snow cover in most parts of the country, obviously, the pent-up demand will be realized, and in December we will see high sales figures, - analysts believe.
Most Russians start buying winter goods closer to mid-autumn, added in "Avito". Thus, their sales on the site in October increased by 61% compared to September. Such goods are often bought by hand: in October, the share of resale in the total volume of purchases amounted to 65%.
Snowboards are the most popular on the Ozon marketplace this year, their sales in monetary terms have doubled, and in unit terms - more than one and a half times, told "Izvestia" in the press service of the company. In addition, Russians willingly order cross-country skis on the marketplace. Demand for them in monetary terms increased by 85% compared to last year, in unit terms - by a third. Sales of ice skates and hockey sticks have also increased.
How much winter sports equipment costs
Prices for winter sports equipment this year were higher than last year by 7-19%, according to the OFD data. At the same time, skis cost an average of Br4.7 thousand, skates - Br6.8 thousand, snowboards - Br29.9 thousand. Sleds cost Br2.7 thousand, while tubing-watrushki - Br2.1 thousand.
Hockey equipment turned out to be the most popular among buyers on "Avito. The second place is occupied by alpine and cross-country skis and snowboards. And if new alpine skis will cost an average of Br36 thousand, they can be purchased for Br14 thousand. A new snowboard will cost Br32 thousand, while a used one - Br15 thousand. The average price of a set of boots and bindings will cost Br6 thousand, while new ones - Br17 thousand.
The third place in popularity among winter amusements is occupied by goods for figure skating. Adult skates on "Avito" can be bought, for example, for Br5.7 thousand, while children's skates - for only Br550.
Basic equipment for fans of cross-country skiing will amount to Br32.7 thousand, calculated by analysts of the combined company Wildberries and Russ. This amount includes the purchase of skis with bindings, poles and boots, as well as a full set of thermal underwear, outerwear and accessories. Basic equipment for snowboarders will cost an average of Br42 thousand, but this amount does not include the cost of the board itself.
And a full set for skiers - about 120 thousand, including the purchase of skis for Br51 thousand. A basic set for skating can cost about 21 thousand rubles, if you buy protection, a bag for transportation, blade covers, outerwear and accessories.
Where to do outdoor activities in winter
Alpine skiing remains one of the key destinations for recreation in winter, assured "Izvestia" in the press service of the Ministry of Economic Development. In the coming season, the number of visitors to ski resorts will grow by 10% and amount to 22 million people, the ministry expects.
Now the total length of slopes is about 1.5 thousand kilometers, the ministry reported the data of the Association of ski complexes, territories and service. Of these, just over a third are in major resorts.
"Currently, 540 pistes with a length of over 500 kilometers have passed the classification procedure in the country. This is a third of all the operating ones in the country. According to them, the level of difficulty is determined, and tourists can choose slopes suitable for their skiing skills," the ministry added.
Most of all classified slopes are in Krasnodar region, Kemerovo region, Altai Republic. The most popular ski resorts in the ministry named "Sheregesh" and "Arkhyz" (Karachay-Cherkessia), "Elbrus" (Kabardino-Balkaria), "Rosa Khutor" and "Krasnaya Polyana" (Krasnodar region), "Bolshoy Vudyavr" (Murmansk region), "Gorny Vozdukh" (Sakhalin).
"This year, based on the results of the competitive selection, nine projects to create infrastructure for ski complexes were supported under the soft loan program. Among them is the Three Volcanoes Park resort in the Kamchatka region. It is expected that it will combine various attractions of Kamchatka and several directions of tourism - health recreation with the use of unique balneological resources of Kamchatka and active recreation in the mountains in winter and summer", - reported in the department.
Another major resort project will be realized in Yamal, where a skiing complex "Paradise-Iz" will appear.
The Russian Union of Travel Industry named the Azerbaijani resort "Shahdag" and the Serbian "Kopaonik" among the foreign destinations popular with skiers. Among alpine countries the most popular were Italy and France, a little less requests for Austria and Switzerland. Some Russian skiers choose exotic resorts - for example, they go skiing in Japan.
When practicing winter sports it is important to remember about safety, said Dmitry Pursanov, Director of Retail Insurance at SberStrakhovanie.
- Our survey showed that half of the respondents during active recreation in winter received minor injuries, such as bruises and bumps, and another 7% faced with fractures and sprains, - he explained.
Last winter, according to him, the average payment under insurance policies in connection with injuries amounted to Br40 thousand.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
