MCLEAN, Va. - Overall sales for the entire winter sport market (including specialty and chain stores), were up 6% in dollars to $2.2 billion for the August 2005 through February 2006 period, compared to $2.1 billion reported last year, according to the SIA Retail Audit. Unit sales were up 7%. Sales at specialty ski and snowboard shops were up 5% in dollars compared to last season. In dollars, that translates to $1.7 billion in sales compared to $1.6 billion for the same period last season. Unit sales were up from last season 5%. “Warm weather east of the Rockies slowed early season momentum, though the declines were still not enough to completely erase the early season gains. Integrated systems and apparel continued to drive specialty store sales as high sell-throughs in many categories have left many specialty retailers with leaner inventories,” said Christine Martinez, market research manager for SIA, the not-for-profit industry trade group that represents manufacturers and distributors of snow sports products. The SIA Retail Audit tracks and reports sales in all snow sports product categories. This is the fifth report of six that look at sales through March 31, 2006, the end of the winter season.