Local ski and snowboard shop

Local skiers and snowboarders, families buying for growing kids, and visitors heading to nearby ski areas.

You buy stock at wholesale and sell at retail. Most sales fall in the autumn and winter, so end-of-season sales help clear leftover stock.

• Knowledge of ski gear and fit
• Selling and customer service
• Stock buying and cash flow planning

• Check your municipality for a business licence and zoning rules for retail
• Registering for GST/HST (and PST or QST where it applies) and keeping sales tax records, check with the CRA and your province
• Commercial general liability and property or stock insurance
• Heavy seasonality: stock bought up front can be tied up if the winter is mild or sales are slow
• Some brands set dealer requirements or restrict where and how you can sell, so read the agreement
• Quebec businesses need to check French-language requirements for signage and customer service

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $40,000 to $180,000, depending on your premises, fit-out and how much stock you buy up front. Stock can be tied up if the winter is mild or sales are slow.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your location, the range you carry and the season. Ski retail is heavily seasonal, so plan your cash flow around slower months.

Check your municipality's business licence and retail zoning rules, plus GST/HST (and PST or QST where it applies). Also check insurance, any brand dealer requirements, and French-language requirements for signage and service if you are in Quebec.