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1. Scarpa MAESTRALE ALPINE TOURING BOOT ere’s something to be said for staying the course. Scarpa found a winner in its Maestrale ski touring boots and has kept the name through various tweaks in performance and construc- tion over the years. “Maestrale is always a winner for us,” says Mike Donohue, co-owner of e Outdoor Gear Exchange in Bur- lington, Vermont. “It’s a known franchise and gets periodic updates, and it’s guaranteed to be the same solid boot that gets the job done. Having it in two or three price points helps, too.” Scarpa claims the latest version is “completely redesigned from the ground up.” Sure, but it still has the pedigree of all the itera- tions that came before. Bonus: Your eco-conscious customers will appreciate that it’s made from plant-based materials. MSRP $849; us.scarpa.com 2. Völkl M7 MANTRA SKI e names of skis come and
go faster than boy bands. Not the Mantra. Somehow, Völkl’s classic, which was first released in 2005, continues to build on everything that has made it so popular for two decades: It’s aggressive but stable and quick underfoot. As a Völkl employee once told me when I was testing an earlier version in Austria, “It’s a weapon.” Indeed. And the 2025 M7 Mantra features a new 4-radius sidecut and an updated titanal frame and carbon tip for even be er turn initiation and control. e Mantra’s consis- tency over the years builds confidence with consumers who both stick with the ski since it has rewarded them with performance in the past and could be convinced to upgrade to something even be er this season. MSRP $850; volkl.com 3. Atomic BENT CHETLER 120 SKI Here’s another ski that’s devel- oped a cult following, making it not just an ideal item to stock but also to show o since the ski’s topsheet features the
artwork of Atomic athlete Chris Benchetler, a devoted fan of the Grateful Dead (even if he’s too young to have ever seen them with Jerry Garcia). But it’s not just popular for the looks: is big boy o ers up plenty of flo- tation thanks to a construction that features more surface area in tip and tail, which was per- fected by Benchetler himself on big mountain lines. at makes it something customers want to see in the store <ital>and<uni- tal> bring home. “ e Bent Chetler line is a solid seller for us,” says Donohue. MSRP $1,025; atomic.com 4. Leki SPITFIRE 3D POLE Not as big a buy as boots or skis, high performance poles always provide an opportunity for a sale on their own or as part of a package. And these poles make for a perfect demonstration and chance to educate customers in the shop. e grip features a multidirectional 220° release mechanism that ensures poles won’t get stuck even when
they snag a tree. Even be er, the poles pair with Leki gloves and mi ens, so you can click directly in without the need for a strap. MSRP $140; lekiusa.com 5. Arc’teryx No ma er the snow conditions, hats sell—for warmth and, even more so, for style. Blame it on its popularity on Tik Tok or simply how cool it looks, but the Bird Head Toque has become a must- have fashion statement from the streets of New York City to the BIRD HEAD TOQUE Connect Booth #201
trails of Boulder, Colorado. MSRP $55; arcteryx.com 6. e North Face SIERRA ETIP GLOVES Connect Booth #912
“You can always count on selling lightweight gloves—gloves you use for running or dog walking,” says David Polivy, co-owner of Tahoe Mountain Sports. “If it doesn’t snow—that’s okay—it will still be chilly in the morn- ings and evenings when people walk their dogs, and a nice pair
GRASSROOTS STORIES 25
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