Marketing in the action sports industry is a challenging endeavour. With the exception of a few big players, most brands struggle with small budgets and a lack of qualified marketing professionals specific to the industry. Companies need every resource they can to cash in on this multi-billion dollar business so we’ve amassed a baker’s dozen of snowsport and action sport marketing-specific websites to help you get the most out of your marketing plan.
1. SAM (Ski Area Management) magazine: Summer operations, greening initiatives, shrinking skier visits; the face of ski resort business is getting a lift and resort operators need to stay abreast of this rapid evolution of the resort model. SAM magazine is a good start. While they still haven’t jumped full-on into web, the magazine is the first place to go for ski resort news. If you haven’t subscribed yet, do it now.
2. NSAA (National Ski Areas Association): This American organization offers a database of marketing resources, research and statistics to members. There is, however, some free marketing information HERE.
3. SkiResortAreas.com: Not easy on the eyes but updated daily, this site is an extremely thorough source for industry-wide press releases and news updates. The poor design can be overwhelming but a massive database of ski and snowboard resort-related content will keep you in the know.
4. CSIA (Canadian Ski and Snowboard Association): This site has little to offer for web surfers but as the governing body for Canadian ski and snowboard programs, it is embedded in the country’s snowsports industry.
5. Transworld Business: The online source for board sports business information. This is a one-stop shop for the inside scoop and all things snowboarding, skateboarding and surfing.
6. Quebec Ski Area Associaton: Quebec has their own organization to keep la belle province ski areas communicating. Hit up this site for all things Quebec resort-specific.
7. Canada West Ski Areas Association: The Western Canadian equivalent to the Quebec ski resort resource.
8. Shop Eat Surf: More business news and information from the action sports industry. This site focuses more on the executive side of the snow, surf and skate business.
9. Action Sport Retailers: The official site of the massive ASR trade show, this is a great site for news but the best part by far is the blog which can be found HERE.
10. Sports One Source: Basically a news feed for all things action sport industry business-related, this is a good option to get you press releases and news quick and dirty.
11. SIA (Snowsports Industries America) Retail Marketing tools: A resource of the basic tools needed to market your business in the snowsports world. This is only the bare bones but it’ll get you started on your way to a proper marketing and advertising plan.
12. Ski Press Magazine: Perhaps due to its multiple world-wide print editions, Ski Press is a great online source for year-round, comprehensive ski industry news including resort and brand updates. For best results, skip the print mag and go straight for their web content.
13. Malakye: A job search site for action sport specific brands, go here to hire people in the biz already, or to get started on your dream boardsports career.
Think we missed one? Leave a comment or follow us on Twitter to tell us.
