When ski resorts get mired in a snow drought, there is always the hope that the next big powder dump will bail out business. And that reasoning holds true for every snow sports retailer down the economic chain.

But if you own a ski shop in New England — at a time when last year’s disastrous snow season is segueing into a spotty, hit-or-miss encore so far — there are steeper challenges beyond waiting for customers to flock back. Going into this season, retailers were burdened with inventory that didn’t sell last year, and now, in the aftermath of the holiday rush, is when merchants must make critical buying decisions for next year’s gear and apparel.