Small ski and snow gear shop

Holidaying skiers and snowboarders, seasonal workers, local residents and families gearing up for a snow trip.

You buy stock wholesale and sell at a retail markup. Winter is the main earning period, and end-of-season sales clear leftover stock.

• Knowing snow gear and what suits different skiers
• Buying and stock control
• Friendly, helpful customer service

• Very seasonal income: plan for the summer months when sales drop
• Leases in alpine resorts and national parks can have special conditions, so check with the resort or land manager
• Public liability and stock insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire staff
• Australian Consumer Law applies to refunds and faulty goods, so check your obligations
• Unsold stock at the end of the season ties up cash, so order carefully
• GST registration is required once your turnover reaches the threshold, so check with the ATO

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your location, lease and how much stock you buy. Ordering carefully matters, because unsold stock at the end of the season can tie up cash.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on location, stock and how busy the winter season is. Income is very seasonal, so plan for quieter summer months. The idea needs about 40 hours a week at minimum.

Check any special lease conditions with the resort or land manager in alpine resorts and national parks. Also check Australian Consumer Law on refunds and faulty goods, GST registration with the ATO, and public liability, stock and workers compensation insurance.