PSA: Another XC gear crunch in the offing for next season

[John Dee]

Do you mean that everything theyre making now is for 22/23?

[Stephen]

@John Dee, if the major companies are even manufacturing winter gear now.
They could be done with winter 21/22 and be into Spring or Summer 2022 by now.
Lead times are months for seasonal items.
Others may know more about this than I do.

I would generally agree with the thought that if you want something, and you can find it now, buy it before it’s gone.
I do think some stuff may show up later this year, not by design, but because it is delayed in transit — sitting in a container at some port, somewhere in the world.
But you can’t count on what you want being in one of those containers.

Voile was out of a ski I wanted and my shop didn’t have in stock.
When I called Voile to ask how long before back in stock, they said 4 to 6 weeks, but they hoped sooner.
Two weeks later Voile had it back in stock and they’re on the way.
Three cheers for American production!

EDIT:
Yesterday, Voile had 4 of the ski I ordered.
When I just looked, they are now sold out.

Further reinforcing the idea that if you want something that may be in short supply, don’t wait to buy it.

[Woodserson]

The demand was so large and obvious coming out of the beginning of last winter that many downhill ski shops that never dealt in nordic gear before chose to start selling it, often with no one that had any nordic experience in the shop. The usual supply of (x)# of skis got then distributed to many more shops than usual, and interestingly enough, seniority didn't seem to count. Shops that have been dealers for specific brands for decades were left with sloppy seconds. This is part of why you don't see full inventories of all the lengths available, etc. It's been a total scramble fest for many shops just to stock something, anything.

[UtahBrian]

REI had the new 21-22 Fischer S-Bound 98 and S-Bound 112 in stock in October. The web site now says that they no longer sell either product. No delays. No back orders. No waiting list. No hope for restock. Just done.

I have photo proof they were in stock once. Now all gone.

I’m glad I bought mine right away at full price when I saw them.

Still wondering if we’ll see Xplore bindings this year. I’m eager to try on the Alpina Alaska XP. I won’t hesitate to buy at full retail.

On the other hand, I just took my alpine gear out for the first resort skiing day of the year yesterday and there is real snow starting to accumulate out there. Not enough for backcountry trips yet, but they’re coming and it could be a good snow year. There’s no apparent shortage of alpine equipment for sale.

[Montana St Alum]

On the other hand, I just took my alpine gear out for the first resort skiing day of the year yesterday and there is real snow starting to accumulate out there.

Where are you skiing?

[UtahBrian]

Where are you skiing?

Colorado. Keystone, A-Basin, and Loveland are open, but with limited runs based on snowmaking.

Still, you can see snow starting to accumulate naturally everywhere above 3000m. The backcountry will open up with another couple storms.

I did see one telemarker at Keystone yesterday; he seemed to be doing very well.

[Montana St Alum]

Where are you skiing?

Colorado. Keystone, A-Basin, and Loveland are open, but with limited runs based on snowmaking.

Still, you can see snow starting to accumulate naturally everywhere above 3000m. The backcountry will open up with another couple storms.

I did see one telemarker at Keystone yesterday; he seemed to be doing very well.

Thanks. I didn't think anything in Utah was open. Our early snow was a head fake, but the mountain biking has been good!

[Woodsbum]

No long packages under the tree this year.

https://vtdigger.org/2021/11/07/global- ... -406152222

[Woodserson]

Headline of article:

"Global supply chain disruptions cause problems"

Actual content:

Normally, ski and snowboard retailers order inventory for the upcoming season in March, and some vendors take orders well into April. But this year things were different. Many major suppliers announced they had hit their allotment for United States orders on March 1, which meant quite a few Vermont retailers were simply unable to place orders.

Farming for the angry clicks. Supply and demand economics are too boring.

Well, this article confirms everything I have stated in this thread since when I started it last March. If you PM me, I will tell you YOUR future for the low low cost of a shot of schnapps and 6" of powder.

[Woodsbum]

You did call it on the money, Woodserson. I don't think I want to know my future and I can't produce the powder, but I'd settle for your prediction on snowfall this winter. If you're right, I'll send you a bottle of schnapps.