Snowboarding accessories and apparel run the gamut from serviceable to fashion statement, and the pricing can be just as diverse. Look for high-quality manufacturers that can offer you discounts on bulk orders, and trendy manufacturers that offer styles, colors, and patterns that will add pizzazz to the slopes. Snowboard gear should appeal to the young and the young at heart, and it should have the newest features, too. Look for pricing of men's and ladies' down jackets and parkas in the $100 to $400 range, for lightweight snowboard apparel.

When you look for wholesale snowboard gear, look for manufacturers that:

1. Offer their own, in-house snowboard apparel brands.

2. Will manufacture snowboard accessories to your own specifications.

3. Create high-quality snowboard clothing that's appealing to your market.

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Shop for snowboarding apparel and accessories from companies with their own apparel lines

Many outdoor apparel manufacturers offer their own custom lines of snowboarding clothes. Some of these manufacturers have big followings in the snowboarding community, so it pays to carry these lines in your store. Look for wholesale pricing to take advantage of quantity orders and save money at the same time.

I recommend: Prepare to pay less than half of the retail price for wholesale (typically $40 to $50 and up), and mark up the products accordingly. Bonfire Snowboarding offers a complete line of wholesale snow gear that's extremely popular with boarders. Sessions offers high tech snowboard accessories and clothing.

Work with a company that will manufacture your own line of snowboarding apparel

If you have an idea for your own snowboard jackets, snowboard gloves, or other items, work with an engineer, designer, or manufacturer that will bring your designs to life. You'll have to pay design fees and manufacturing costs, but if you have a good idea, it can turn into a new product that will take the mountain by storm.

I recommend: Pearce Engineering offers engineering and design of snowboarding accessories like boots, helmets, and more. Bokkerz offers custom stomp pads with your logo or artwork printed on the pads. They base pricing on the complexity of the design and how many you order. It can start at less than $5 per pad.

Locate manufacturers that understand the unique tastes of snowboarders and offer hip, trendy clothin

Snowboarding apparel and accessories pricing and costs are important, but if your customers don't buy, then saving a few dollars is meaningless. Choose clothing lines that are hot, hip, and bold to capture your customer's attention and gain more sales. Keep up on the latest trends in snowboarding gear, too, so you know what manufacturers are hot on the slopes.

I recommend: You may have to pay a little more for trendy lines, but they'll sell better and make you a better profit in the end. Trendy brands can range in the $200 to $400 price range. Special Blend offers bright, bold designs in both men's and women's snowboarding apparel. Marmot offers men's and women's clothing and accessories.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you purchase snowboarding clothing and accessories, don't forget to carry items like goggles, gloves, snowboard tools, wax kits, and more. You'll get more sales if you carry all the items your snowboarders need to make their day on the slopes complete, and you'll make your store the one-stop spot for snowboarders to shop - melting the competition in the process!

Consider more than snowboard jackets or snowboard gloves when you think of snowboard clothing. Stock up on snowboard gear like quality socks, boots and bindings to keep feet warm and strong while snow boarding. You can find an impressive array of just about any snowboard apparel brands you desire including Burton or Salomon.

Review the products you're most interested in online to get an idea of costs, availability and shipping expenses. Remember to consider things like the return policy before you place a large order. You want to know if your account will be credited immediately and who pays the shipping for bulk purchases that need to be returned or exchanged.

1. Look for snowboarding clothes you'll be proud to sell.

2. Don't forget the boots when stocking snowboard apparel.

3. Finish the look with snowboard accessories.

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Make a fashion statement with your snow boarding apparel

In today's market, you can find far more than the boring snow pants you remember from childhood. From every color under the rainbow to the latest fashions, you can stock snowboarding clothing that looks great and keeps your customers warm in winter weather.

I recommend: ABC-of-Snowboarding.com has an extensive supply of outerwear for men, women and kids to help them look styling while enjoying their favorite winter sport. Proboardshop boasts brand name snow boarding apparel at far less than retail pricing.

Remember your customers feet when stocking snowboard clothing

Boots used to be one of those items of clothing that you didn't think much about but with the newest technology, snowboarding boots are lighter, more comfortable and more stylish than ever. You can find boots at reasonable prices that your clients will be happy to wear.

I recommend: The House has every style of snowboarding boots you could imagine including all of your favorite brand names. Extremegear.com stands ready to find you the perfect fitting boots to get you outdoors and in the snow.

Polish the look with the perfect snowboarding accessories

Accessories make the outfit and that is just as true for snowboarding styles as it is for a night out on the town style. Choose hats, gloves, sunglasses and back packs that set your clients apart from everyone else on the snow and allow them express their own unique fashion sense.

I recommend: Easternboarder.com has all of the snowboarding accessories you could want for your business including specialized backpacks for gear and sunglasses to protect eyes. SierraSnowboard.com boasts an impressive collection of snowboard accessories, most at around 50 percent less than retail prices.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for snowboarding apparel and accessories at wholesale pricing for resale. You won't be charged sales tax and you're often provided with free shipping as well.

As the owner of a snowboarding apparel and accessories store, you know that you have to carry the best brands for your customers. Manufacturers know this and they've put out some great snowboarding apparel and accessories types and styles. To stay at the forefront of this niche fashion market, you have to familiarize yourself with the different snowboard apparel brands, and know which styles they make.

Styles range from basic neutral separates to funky, flashy snowsuits. All the major manufacturers carry their own particular lines of apparel, and these lines each have their own styles. They tend to complement each other, so mixing and matching is a good idea to ensure that you give every customer what they're looking for. Snowboarding apparel and accessories can be divided into three major categories:

1. Men's snowboard gear. The most sought-after items are jackets, pants and boots.

2. Female snowboarding apparel. Women's clothing is a bit more tailored for a woman's curves, and this extends to snowboarding apparel.

3. Unisex snowboarding accessories. With the exception of gloves, accessories are largely unisex.

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Purchase the most popular men's snowboard clothing

The majority of snowboarders are men, so you must be sure to cater to them. You should include a large selection of pants and jackets, but don't forget to carry boots and bindings as well. Try to carry neutral items as well as more funky patterns to accommodate all tastes and styles.

I recommend: Check out the variety of jackets and pants offered by Volcom. DC Shoes might also have what you're searching for. ThirtyTwo has a nice selection of boots for men.

Find attractive womens snowboarding apparel to sell

The same advice goes for snowboarding gear designed for women: You should carry an assortment of colors and patterns. Moreover, try to carry matching gear, as women like to match their jackets with their pants, not mention their clothing with their accessories. Although more men than women participate in the sport, women generally spend more per visit as they like to match all their clothing, and will likely buy more than one item.

I recommend: Oakley carries several styles of technical outerwear for women, including jackets and snowpants. Foursquare offers the Insulated Series of apparel for snowboarding in weather that is especially chilling. Roxy makes a number of attractive pairs of boardboots for women and girls.

Provide a selection of snowboard accessories that appeal to both the sexes

There is a wide variety of snowboarding accessories, but headwear, gloves and goggles are the most popular items. Most accessories could suit both men and women, but make sure to get a variety to ensure that everyone can find something they like.

I recommend: Browse through the great selection of beanies from Vans. You can find a multitude of snow goggles for your store from Dragon. Dakine offers lots of men's and women's snowboard gloves.

Snowboarding apparel and accessories key terms are must-have knowledge for anyone either buying or selling winter sporting equipment. Snowboarding might have a relatively short history, but the extreme sport is unquestionably long on popularity all over the world. Although reportedly much more difficult to learn than traditional snow skiing, once the basics are mastered, snowboarding is said to be much more exciting and gratifying than skiing could ever be.

Whether you're looking to stock snowboarding equipment for retail sale in your own place of business, interested in getting into the snowboarding equipment rental business or simply want to learn more about the apparel and accessories vital to the sport, here is a handful of key terms to get you started:

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Snowboard

A snowboard is a wide but relatively short board made to glide on snow. There are many different sizes and shapes of snowboards to accommodate various rider sizes and riding styles.

I recommend: Read up on snowboards and understand the reasons for different widths, shapes and lengths at Snowboarding Essentials.

Boots

Boots are the footwear snowboarders wear and are said to be the most important piece of snowboarding equipment. It's critical to ensure that boots are both comfortable and work well with the wearer's foot and leg shape.

I recommend: Backcountry.com is a great place to see and learn about the features and benefits of a variety of snowboarding boots.

Bindings

Bindings fasten the boots to the snowboard and are responsible for transferring the energy of movements to the snowboard so that it does what the snowboarder wants it to do. Bindings can be either strap-in or step-in.

I recommend: Learn all about snowboard bindings and how to buy the right ones for a particular riding style at Snowboarding.com.

Goggles

Goggles are worn to protect a snowboarder's eyes from elements such as wind, snow and bright sunlight. It is especially important to wear goggles during windy and stormy conditions -- and quality goggles are well worth the investment.

I recommend: ABC of Snowboarding offers an informative paragraph on the whats and whys of wearing goggles while snowboarding, followed by a nice selection of different goggle types and styles.

Gloves

Snowboarding gloves are designed to protect a snowboarder's hands from the elements while keeping them dry and warm. As with most other snowboarding gear, they come in a variety of styles, sizes and colors.

I recommend: Check out the large selection of snowboarding gloves at Snowboards for Sale.

Helmet

A helmet is a piece of headwear designed to protect the face and head from injury while snowboarding. It is the most important piece of safety equipment a snowboarder can wear.

I recommend: Dick's Sporting Goods does a nice job with an article that explains how to purchase the right snowboarding helmet.