Data recently published by SnowSports Industries America (SIA) shows that skiers and snowboarders pulled out their wallets in November. According to the SIA, the snow sports market reached $1 billion in sales from August through November, 2010, representing a 14% increase over the same period in 2009.

Equipment sales were up 22%, with gains also seen in apparel and accessory sales. Telemark equipment was the only category that experienced a decline in sales from 2009.

SIA, a non-profit trade association representing the snow sports industry, believes the sales increase can be credited in part to a La Nina year, which is bringing healthy amounts of snow to many North American ski resorts. By mid-January, 2011, 49 of 50 states had snow on the ground.