Supply and Growing Demand - Why Our Products are Becoming Increasingly Scarce and Increasingly Expensive

It has been felt in the climbing industry, the biking industry, the ski industry, and perhaps every outdoor industry... the supply shortage. In local towns surrounding the Kootenays it's clear to see that if you don't have your ski kit dialed by Mid-November, it becomes increasingly difficult to find that specific boot size, or touring bindings, or ski length.

Supply chain shortages have driven up the price not just of new gear - but used gear as well. As the demand continues to rise, the thought of, "I'll take anything I can get" becomes more paramount.

It seems as though it's a combining of two major factors.
1) Outdoor activities are becoming more popular than ever since the ride of the pandemic - people are opting for activities and adventures that don't take place indoors, or in a group setting. Preferring instead to try out backcountry skiing, climbing, biking etc. This had caused an increase in demand.

2) The supply chain breakdown and issues due to covid lockdowns, increased delays for security and increased safety measures, and a general bulking of gear within the countries that produce them.

The team at 'Wild Snow' has written a great article taking a deeper dive into the causes and effects of this Supply & Demand Tango.
Read about it here.