Online ski gear and accessories store

Skiers and snowboarders across Canada who want a good range and delivery to their door, plus parents buying kids' gear.

You buy at wholesale and sell at retail through your own website or a marketplace. Sales are strongest from early autumn to mid-winter.

• Basic online store setup
• Product knowledge and writing clear descriptions
• Order handling and customer service

• Check whether you need to register for GST/HST (and PST or QST) and how sales tax applies to your province and customers
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if stock is kept at home
• Some brands restrict online selling or set minimum advertised prices, so read the dealer terms
• Shipping costs and returns on bulky or sized items can eat into margin
• Unsold stock after the season ends, so buy cautiously at first
• Product liability and commercial general liability insurance

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the range you stock, your store setup and whether you rent a small storage unit. Buying cautiously at first helps limit unsold stock.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $1,000 to $6,000, depending on your product range, marketing and the time of year. Shipping costs and returns on bulky or sized items can eat into margin.

Check GST/HST (and PST or QST) registration and how sales tax applies to your customers. Also check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, any brand limits on online selling or minimum advertised prices, and product liability insurance.