HISTORY


Founded in 1987, NSSRA is the retail voice for the ski and snowboard industries and provides information and services specialty snow sports retailers need to operate more successfully.

For years following the formation of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Committee on snow skiing, several independent shop owners worked to represent retailers’ interests. By 1987, it became apparent that a separate organization was needed to represent retailer interests in the ski industry on a nationwide scale. The National Ski Retailers Association (NSRA) was born.

NSRA made an immediate difference. Recognized by the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) as the retailers' voice, NSRA was invited to sit on the Ski Industry Marketing Committee. The Association's Cost of Doing Business Survey became the benchmark for retail performance throughout the ski retail community.

NSRA worked with the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA), the National Ski Patrol (NSP) and ski suppliers to reform pro form distribution.

To better represent the changes taking place on the slopes, the association changed its name in 1996 to the National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association (NSSRA).

NSSRA advocates on behalf of its members on a wide range of retailer issues including Pro Forms abuses, Internet MAP pricing policies, and vendor-direct sales to consumers. Most recently in 2011, NSSRA was among the industry stakeholders that helped resolve an issue with trade show dates.

NSSRA is working with other snow sports industry stakeholders to help grow participation in skiing and snowboarding.

NSSRA retail members receive membership in the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) at no additional cost. The NSSRA Board of Directors approved this added benefit. NSGA, because of its size, has certain benefits available only to NSGA members in addition to those available through NSSRA, and we want those available to you. 
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