HEAD SNOWBOARDS F/W 2025/26 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboards F/W 2025/26 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Head
Interviewee: Marketing Team

How was last season in the snowboard market?
Overall, we are satisfied with last season’s sales.

With the recent overall price increases, have there been any positive developments in manufacturing, sourcing, or logistics?
We did not make any significant changes in terms of manufacturing or sourcing processes. In general, we still see pretty much a V-shaped recovery in the main markets in Europe, and extremely strong results in overseas regions like Japan and the US, where we have again the strongest results ever. Therefore we see no need to pivot our business model.

What are the major trends you’re seeing with product pricing in the snowboard market?
HEAD is traditionally strong on entry-level price points; in the last years, we experienced a shift towards upper price points – in all categories.

E-commerce vs. physical retail, how are you balancing both channels?
Generally speaking though, stationary retail is the backbone of our business, offering products online is needed and requested from a consumer perspective, but the main business remains stationary so far, therefore will be supported with all means. We maintain transparent communication with our dealers regarding our e-commerce plans.

How are you supporting retailers to sell this category?
At HEAD, we help retailers sell our products through a combination of digital and physical channels. Our marketing approach includes the use of social media platforms where we create engaging content that showcases the performance and quality of our equipment. We often work with team riders to highlight product benefits and increase brand awareness. We also provide durable and sustainable POS items, such as metal-branded snowboard slat wall holders for the stores. However, the most effective way to convince customers is by letting them try the boards on snow during events to experience their performance. With this comprehensive strategy, we ensure that retailers have the tools and support they need to maximize their sales and reach a wider audience.

What unique brand messages are you focusing on for the 2025/2026 snowboard season?
COME RIDE WITH US is our brand message since the beginning 2001. We invite everyone, no matter their riding style, level, or age, to become part of the snowboard community and experience what snowboarding is about! In this respect, we will launch our new team movie “COME RIDE WITH US – ONE WORLD, ONE CRWU” in 2025 featuring our team riders all over the world showing their personal experience on snow. Stay tuned!

SNOWBOARD SPECIFIC

What trends or developments are you seeing with regards to board construction, shapes, and general innovation? How is this shaping your 25/26 range?
We see the trend to classic Camber boards is coming back within the last few years. For this reason, we added two new models – the BEAM and SOLACE – to our all-mountain segment for season 25/26. Next to this also Cruiser boards are highly requested, why we added our new model DAY LYT, featuring all you need for that extra float and surfy feel.

Anything new concerning sustainability and related products or construction you would like to highlight?
We rethink all our workflows from the beginning to the end – from developing to packaging. By reducing waste and using natural, recycled, and certified raw materials and processes, we are well on the way but we are only at the beginning. But every step counts and sustainability now plays a role in every decision we make. We are also working on making these steps more transparent for our business partners and consumers. It starts with the smallest measures, such as rethinking packaging by using recycled packaging or eliminating plastic where possible. Already, we are not using polybags where possible, have no more see-through windows on our boxes, offer bulk packaging in rental, and use water-based color for our design prints. The presses and cooling system of our manufacturer are solar-powered, and our wood cores are FSC certified, to name only some examples. As part of the HEAD winter sports family, we leverage the synergies, technologies, and innovative approaches of the brand to become the technical market leader for snowboard equipment – and that also through innovative but sustainable new materials, processes, and products.

Are you using any new materials in your hardware for 25/26? If so, what and why? We’re interested in anything new in inserts / edges / cores / sidewalls / glue / resin/ wood types / base material / top sheet / wax / etc..
No new materials are used.

Any new design or pattern approaches in your 25/26 gear? Any collabs on the line?
The interplay of matt and shiny surfaces and lines combined with perfectly matching color themes and modern graphics dominate our boards. Simple, modern, and stylish board designs stand for HEAD snowboards. We have found our direction; staying true to our DNA we will bring a balanced line to the market in season 24/25.

Are you planning to focus on a special product range or type of customers? What’s your newest range?
We are strong on entry-level price points, therefore we are placing focus on this target group and their needs to make their start of snowboarding easy and successful. For many years HEAD had the aim to push the sport in general and help beginners to have a positive first encounter with it. Suitable products are the key to supporting aspiring snowboarders on their trip from linking turns to dialing spins and helping them to progress and have fun on snow. This goes hand in hand with the next generation which is very important to us! That’s why we bring kids on snow and invest in the future of snowboarding with our Futureheads program. But experienced snowboarders shouldn’t be left out either. We significantly increased our sales at the second price point. Traditional carving on the freshly groomed slopes and cruising in the backcountry is what people love about snowboarding, besides freestyle. That’s why we also keep focusing on the advanced segment including all-mountain boards that allow the rider both – edge hold when it’s needed or enough float and a surfy feeling when in the backcountry. We address this target group with a good mix of cruiser models and powerful and versatile all-mountain models, including our latest board addition the DAY LYT, made for riders who demand the most as it is the ultimate snowboard for powerful carving and energized ground trickery

Key Products:

The DAY LYT:
The DAY LYT is back in the cruiser line! With a wide nose for superior floatation, a short pintail for agile turns and setback camber for a surf-like feel, the DAY LYT is perfect for powder and groomers. Lightweight, robust and durable with a sintered base and an optimized directional shape – for extra performance on every ride.

DAY LYT

BEAM:
Introducing the new BEAM camber board, designed for riders seeking powerful carving and precision. Known for its energized ground tricks and responsive control, the BEAM offers excellent edge hold and reacts to every movement with accuracy. Its torsional waist adds flexibility and playfulness, making it ideal for skilled riders looking to elevate their performance this season. Experience the BEAM’s unmatched ride quality!

BEAM

SOLACE:
Introducing the new SOLACE camber board, perfect for riders who demand precision and power. With its strong edge hold and lively response, the SOLACE excels at carving and ground tricks. Its torsional waist adds flexibility and playfulness, while the sintered base ensures durability and speed. Ideal for seasoned riders, the SOLACE will elevate your performance on every ride this season.

SOLACE