VICTOR, NY — February 1, 2012 – Sports Specialists Limited (SSL) announces the re-election of Brad Nelson of Hi Tempo Ski Snowboard & Sail, White Bear Lake, MN, to the Board of Directors. SSL also announces the election of Gordon Geiger of Geiger’s Ski & Sport Haus in Chagrin Falls, OH and Sig Fossum of Sporthaus in Yakima, WA, all to Three (3) Year Terms. Bob Rudy of Rudy’s At Wisp Mountain, MD, and Greg Dekdebrun of Dekdebrun’s Ski & Snowboard in Ellicottville, NY, recently completed their terms.

Steve Rogers, President & CEO of SSL said, “All of us at SSL are grateful to both Bob and Greg for their many years of service to our organization as a directors and Bob as Chairman of the Board for the past six(6) years. We also welcome Brad Nelson back to the Board and look forward to the continued benefit of his experience as a retailer and advocate for our industry.” Nelson has served on the National Ski and Snowboard Retailers Association Board for many years and is currently NSSRA Chairman. SSL also welcomes new Board Members Gordon and Sig to board. “We look forward to adding strong business people like Gordon and Sig to our Board. Their knowledge and integrity will further strengthen of our board of directors.”

The following were elected officers of SSL for 2012: Mark Williams, (Williams Ski & Patio, IL) as Chairman; Gary Cole, (Cole Sport, UT), as Vice Chairman; Brad Nelson, (Hi Tempo, MN), as Secretary, and Alan Newman (Alpine Boardsports, AZ), as Treasurer.

Also serving on the SSL Board are Alan Davis, Princeton Sports, MD; Marsha Mather, Laacke & Joys, WI; and Larry Merkel, Roundhouse Sports Center, MT.

Founded in 1971, Sports Specialists Limited is the leading specialty snowsports retail buying group in the US. SSL membership consists of 60 retail organizations in 27 states and the District of Columbia with over 140 retail and rental outlets across the country.

The Alpine Shop, S. Burlington, VT- Andy and Becky Kingston, owners.

Alpine Sport Shop, Saratoga Springs, NY- Jack and Cathy Hay, owners.

California Ski Company, Berkeley, CA- Greg Whitehouse, owner.

Equipe Sport, Rawsonville, VT- Wilbur, Sue and Parker Rice, owners.

Helm of Sun Valley, San Mateo, CA- Greg Hohl, owner.

Ken Jones Ski Mart/ Snowboard Jones, Manchester, VT- Dylan and Alison Jones Hall, owners.

Mammoth Sporting Goods, Mammoth Lakes, CA- Steve and Phil Hertzog, owners.

Peak Ski & Snowboard, Plum (Pittsburgh), PA- Jim Jacobs, owner.

Ski Chalet, Portland, OR- John Hanson and Bruce Bates, owners.

Skier’s Edge Pro Shop, Great Falls, MT- Ron Hall and Darryl Baggett, owners.

Ski Frisco Sports, Frisco, TX- Rick Holliday, owner.

Village Skis & Bikes, Woodbridge, VA- Jim Haugan, owner.

Sports Specialists Ltd. (SSL) is a collection of the best specialty snow sports retailers in the U.S. Since 1971, SSL has been the leading marketing, merchandising and purchasing organization in the specialty ski, snowboard, outdoor, and casual furniture industries. SSL currently has 62 retail managements with over 140 outlets in 26 States and the District of Columbia.

For more information about how to become a member or a supplier to SSL, you can go to their website www.sportsspecialistltd.com or email srogers@sportsspecialistltd.com. The phone number 585-742-1010, ask to speak to Steve Rogers, President/ CEO of SSL.

Equipe Sport, Rawsonville, VT- Wilbur, Sue and Parker Rice, owners.

Alpine Sport Shop, Saratoga Springs, NY- Jack and Cathy Hay, owners.

Ski Frisco Sports, Frisco, TX- Rick Holliday, owner.

Mammoth Sporting Goods, Mammoth Lakes, CA- Steve and Phil Hertzog, owners.

California Ski Company, Berkeley, CA- Greg Whitehouse, owner.

Helm of Sun Valley, San Mateo, CA- Greg Hohl, owner.

Ski Chalet, Portland, OR- John Hanson, owner.

Sports Specialists Ltd. (SSL) is a collection of the best specialty snowsports retailers in the U.S. Since 1971, SSL has been the leading marketing, merchandising and purchasing organization in the specialty ski, snowboard, outdoor, and casual furniture industries. SSL currently has 59 retail managements with over 140 outlets in 26 States and the District of Columbia.

For more information about how to become a member or a supplier to SSL, you can contact SSL or email srogers@sportsspecialistltd.com . The phone number 585-742-1010, ask to speak to Steve Rogers, President of SSL.

Friends with the original owner, Larry was initially involved as an employee when Round House was founded 40 years ago, in 1971. “We started out in October. All major ski lines had already been procured by our competitors,” Larry said. Not the most ideal footing for a business start.

The shop survived its fi rst season though, and by summer of the following year, Larry had just graduated from MSU and now owned half the business. Soon he and Rita would be full owners. They catered to families, providing affordable packages and offering ski lessons. With a community-minded focus, the business grew under the Merkels’ leadership.

Over the years, they saw rapid growth in regional skiing opportunities as Bridger Bowl was joined by Big Sky, Moonlight, and the Yellowstone Club. Though Round House stayed in the same location, the business underwent three expansions responding to the growing market. The Merkels watched their hometown go from “a sleepy town with a good environment for skiing to becoming more of a resort town.”

Larry added that Bozeman is different though, in that it doesn’t shut down in the summer like many other ski destinations. “We’re not a resort town with shoulder seasons. As soon as skiing ends, people are into
biking and golf and fi shing.” From the start, the West Main Street shop catered to both skiing and the parallel summer sport of biking.

Along the way, the Merkels have navigated some turbulent business waters. Storefronts in every industry have felt the impact of the economic downturn, while specialty shops selling sporting goods have been
doubly hit by the draw of internet deals and big box prices. Regardless of purchasing venue, ski and snowboard sales have been affected by the economy with a dramatic dip in 2004 and another decline from 2007
to 2009. The snow sports industry saw 408 storefronts go out of business in 2008 and 2009, according to data from the Snowsports Industries of America.

Larry is unequivocal in summarizing his response to a trying economy: “Price is only an issue when there is an absence of value.”

That sense of value is clearly the defi ning factor in all the Merkels’ business decisions, whether qualitative or more intuitive in nature. Whether they are testing equipment and clothing in local conditions, cultivating
an employee base that is often more knowledgeable than their vendor reps, quickly handling repairs, or simply asking a loyal customer how last year’s purchase worked for them, the shop is focused on one key question. How can we build a relationship with the customer so they decide the local shop is their most valuable option? That customer decision is made with increasing speed. As so many business owners know, the customer who is “shopping for a good price” has a new tool.

“Last spring, three college kids came in. One boy was shopping, and I thought the boys’ buddies were playing games on their phones,” Larry said. They were actually cost-comparing on the internet. Larry brushes aside any allusion that he might take offense at that new customer strategy.

“I welcome these guys,” Larry said, and explained that he actually prefers the in-store cost-comparisons over having a customer quietly disappear and make a purchase decision in a different store or online at home. Rita agreed, “We want to know what we’re competing against…It’s better to have an opportunity to talk to them.”

And when the Merkels and their staff connect with customers, they’re quick to highlight what they provide that other venues do not. Namely service: qualified advice on which equipment is best for the region and
for specific skiing abilities, personalized gear fitting, the knowledge that warranty and return issues will be handled expediently. That translates into a pleasant experience for the customer and also a level of financial
assurance for high-end purchases, as well as the pride in supporting a local economy.

“That is the brick and mortar’s business advantage… they recognize you,” said Chris Naumann, Executive director of the Downtown Bozeman Partnership. He commented on the sense of ownership community members feel when they choose to purchase at local independent shops and the relationships formed between customers and businesses.

“Seventy-six percent of money spent locally stays in the community,” Naumann said, and acknowledged that some customers spend locally for that reason alone. “That’s nice, but what really creates loyalty is the relationship with that store…That can’t be replicated on an internet site or in a big box store.”

Websites may provide “recommendations” based on your browsing history, Naumann said. “It’s specific to you, but there’s no human interaction.”

In addition to such intangibles as feeling good about a purchase, there are more concrete factors on the line — especially with skis. Larry explained that they purchase equipment that is best suited for the unique
snow conditions in this area, and they educate their staff on matching equipment to skiing ability. He has heard of customers purchasing “a deal” on the internet only to discover it was a ski designed for hard pack and
not appropriate for our region. Or worse. “A vendor will make a ski, and there’s a quality issue with it. They have to get rid of it. Where does it go? eBay or Amazon, where it’s sold at a reduced price with no warranty,”
Larry explained. When it comes to sports equipment, local specialty shops have the advantage of being able to educate the consumer and ensure that the purchase is both safe and appropriate for the individual’s skill level.

Business challenges haven’t been limited to forces that directly influence where the customer decides to shop — or whether they have the resources to shop at all. Internet commerce also resulted in issues with equipment manufacturers.

“The vendor, if given the chance, will try to go around us,” Larry said of manufacturers who have historically sold direct to consumers online and undersold the stores that carried their equipment. Two years ago,
specialty shops led efforts to ensure fair market prices so they could stay in business. Citing the importance of customer education — which occurs most effectively on a local personal level — the shops finally acquired a measure of protection on pricing in their dealer agreements.

“We’ve crossed a big hurdle…in establishing the importance of the retailer to our vendors,” Larry said, emphasizing the importance of choosing vendor partners carefully. “I’m more optimistic now than I was three to five years ago.”

During all the hurdles, the Merkels found support through membership in a buying group called Sports Specialists Limited. “We’re all specialty shops, no chains,” Rita explained. This has provided them with better prices and also camaraderie. “As small business owners, you compare everything from employee training to which products are selling,” said Rita. Membership has helped provide some of the buying power of larger
entities while retaining their individual autonomy.

Round House has been able to pass along the cost-savings to customers. Although the Merkels found that those savings were not enough for the consumers that were directly affected by the most recent economic downturn. To serve those who absolutely could not make immediate purchases, Round House expanded its equipment lease program and promoted a diverse gear rental selection both at its Bozeman location and at Bridger Bowl. “Families with kids are leasing instead of buying now,” Rita said.

Naumann noted that this was a smart move. “There’s no such thing as business as usual anymore,” he said. “Whether it’s a reaction to increased e-commerce or the economic downturn…You have to look for ways to stay relevant to your customer.”

For Larry, surviving and thriving in his industry “is kind of like playing cards.” Skill and strategy are mixed with a fair amount of chance as the shop responds to a myriad of factors — snow quality, close-outs on the web, vendor relationships, and a decade of flat wage growth for their customer base. “But, it’s a fresh start every September,” Larry said.

After 40 years of undaunted creativity in a changing local community and amidst even more tumultuous industry forces, Larry is sometimes asked if he’s ever going to slow down. He looked again at the photo of the
1972 ski class and smiled. “I’m not going to change,” he said. “I enjoy the people too much.”

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A lifetime love of skiing often begins at a young age. A good foundation of fundamental skills is imperative for safety as well as building up a level of expertise. Our Vice Chairman, Mark Williams, of Williams All Seasons in Highland Park, Illinois, not only recognizes this, but helps it become a reality for many children in the Chicago area.

During the winter months, Williams All Seasons hosts weekly ski and snowboard trips to local resorts for members of their Snowflake Club, children ranging in ages 8 through 16. This past season alone, the Snowflake Club made 24 trips to sites such as Alpine Valley, Wilmot Mountain, Cascade, Devils Head and Chestnut resorts. Included in the trip fees are lessons which are strongly encouraged for all members and required for beginners until they are able to successfully demonstrate their ability to ski safely and under control. Upon the completion of each level, patches are awarded to show the child’s ability and progression from beginner to advanced skills. This special ski school is certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and uses its teaching models for Snowflake Club members.

A family-run business since 1872 and part of the ski and snowboard business since 1963, Williams All Seasons has a wide array of outdoor enjoyment goods to offer. The all-season store touts the largest display of patio furniture in the Chicago area and is also the recipient of many specialty patio and ski store awards. New to Williams All Seasons for 2011 is its high end infrared hot waxing machine for top quality service and racing, the latest race proven waxing technology.

Next time you’re in the Chicago area, stop by Williams All Seasons to visit Mark and see a shop that has been in business for almost 140 years. Be sure to check out www.WilliamsSkiAndPatio.com and stop by their Facebook page to stay in the know about next season’s adventures!