The Finnish based company Amer Sports, which owns iconic ski brands Atomic and Salomon euro, reported a 36.6 million Euro profit in the final quarter of 2009, more than double the figure for the same quarter in 2008.

Over the whole year, which the company described as the worst for more than 10 years, Amer’s overall profit fell 8 percent to 31 million Euros, and sales dropped from 1.57 to 1.53 billion.

Sales of winter equipment were up slightly on 2008 to 329 million Euros, with sales up 7% in Europe and the Middle east but down 14% in North and South America.

“Ski apparel continued to grow and Salomon strengthened its position on the market.” said an Amer Sports statement.

Did you know? Amer was once Finland’s largest cigarette maker but switched entirely to sports equipment retailing in 2004.

www.amersports.com