AP Article: Changing Demographics on the Slopes

Interesting article from the SL Trib, but it doesn't really get into why the change or implications on the industry:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment2/57153233-223/ski-skiers-skiing-kidd.html.csp

If anything it was just a press release from the NSA.

Not a single mention of the cost of skiing being a reason for older demographics.

Not sure that's a healthy industry sign

I saw a lot of older people on first trip out West at Vail.

You wanna see old grey haired fu#ks just go to K any weekday.

We are the 99%.

SnowRock said:

Not sure that's a healthy industry sign

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St. Bear said:

Not a single mention of the cost of skiing being a reason for older demographics.

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Exactly

I think the biggest issue is cost, and more specifically, that the sport has a large barrier to entry in terms of costs.

Once you've taken up the sport, there's many ways to reduce costs, as well as things that are one-time/rare costs or things you don't need anymore. Buying your own equipment saves money, there's all sorts of programs out there that reduce ticket costs, you don't need lessons, once you HAVE clothing/gear (not including skis/boots) it's not a large expense yearly, etc.

I don't pay all that much for my skiing. Skis + boots last 100+ days. Clothing and other equipment last a long time. Frequent skier programs, pre-purchase programs, or just season passes, mean that most of the time I'm skiing for 50% or much less of the walk-up ticket price. It's quite affordable to me.

But going from non-skier to skier, is a lot of money. Equipment rentals, lessons, walk-up lift ticket rates, goggles, and most people don't have remotely decent ski pants, jackets, gloves, etc. Your first days in this sport are a lot of money. You COULD avoid spending that money with a bunch of work finding ways to make it cheaper, but the reality is most people don't start activities with a burning desire. They go try them out, THEN might get hooked and really interested. If the cost seems high they won't care enough to find a cheaper way, they just won't try it.

I'm not sure how to make that barrier to entry easy either, short of encouraging clubs and such where sharing gear or hand me downs are more accessible.

The younger generation, say below 30 can barely even get a decent job to support a small family, less disposable income, and that's with even more schooling. I'm sure I'll get flamed for this but in reality the boomers had it real good, and this sport will continue to stay flat or even decline as they grow old and croak.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the article does not say that 65 and up skiers purchase the most lift tickets, only that they ski more often per year. That is a big difference. I don't think that reflects badly on the health of the ski industry. Overall ski visits continue to climb each year, with the majority of them by people under 65.

uphillklimber said:

Good point. Being 53, I am able to budget and buy a season pass, reducing my cost per day to ski to about $20.00 per ski day. If I were buying day tickets, I'd go broke and not ski nearly as much. I am making good use of the ski slopes. Of course, this year, skiing is free for me as I work at the River.....

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Do you live in a van down by the River?

mbedle said:

Overall ski visits continue to climb each year, with the majority of them by people under 65.

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65 is just a number. If the average age is 55, that wouldn't be reflected in the stat you said, but it would be just as dire.

I'd be interested in more details about this. What are the trends for < 30, 30-40, 40-50, and 50+? I could be wrong, but I'd be really surprised if there was growth in any grouping under 40.

mbedle said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the article does not say that 65 and up skiers purchase the most lift tickets, only that they ski more often per year. That is a big difference. I don't think that reflects badly on the health of the ski industry. Overall ski visits continue to climb each year, with the majority of them by people under 65.

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When ski areas like Cannon have free senior seasons pass for those 65 and older, no wonder they ski more at that age. I met a guy at the ski show in Boston that told me about that and he skis 100 days per year! Although, I think 70 is more common!

Those age 49 to 67 this year — also skied more than the national average of five times per year

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Well I would dare say that A Zoners blew this number away!

Those ages 45-54 made up 20 percent of skiers last winter

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I found this to be interesting! How many of these are parents that are toting children along and introducing them to a sport they will not be able to afford in their twenties! No wait - the parents will buy ski gear for them up to 18 or so and they will use that until they have a decent job! We are in this category and have brought 4 kids into this sport!

millerm277 said:

I think the biggest issue is cost, and more specifically, that the sport has a large barrier to entry in terms of costs.

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Is it because skiing has gotten more expensive, or that folks have less money than they used to ?

I'm not convinced skiing is more expensive than it was 30 years ago (once corrected for inflation). Anyone has hard numbers or study to back this up ? I would even think that the cost of skiing has actually decreased over the past 30 years, especially with internet shopping and specials.

On the other hand, there is solid evidence that disposable income has decreased in the recent past.

I think this is why you see a number of areas offering lower priced season passes to young adults. If you can keep them going at that age, they'll continue into their 30's and beyond.

mbedle said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the article does not say that 65 and up skiers purchase the most lift tickets, only that they ski more often per year. That is a big difference. I don't think that reflects badly on the health of the ski industry. Overall ski visits continue to climb each year, with the majority of them by people under 65.

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Where do you see that the industry is growing? For many decades it's been flat if not declining. Another article...although it is a bit Utah-specific. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/57120168-79/percent-skiers-utah-ski.html.csp

Well, I got my facts wrong. It looks like ski area visit have been pretty stagnant for the past 10 years. The number of visits (US only) for the 11-12 season was actually below the 10 year average. As far as growth goes, very little in any of the age group considering that the overall growth for all ski visits in the US is 1.2%.

St. Bear said:

65 is just a number. If the average age is 55, that wouldn't be reflected in the stat you said, but it would be just as dire.

I'd be interested in more details about this. What are the trends for < 30, 30-40, 40-50, and 50+? I could be wrong, but I'd be really surprised if there was growth in any grouping under 40.

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I would like to see the data that supports an average of 5 days per year. Are there a lot of one-and-done skiers in this? People who only ski once every few years?! The people I know who ski (and ride) get in well over this many days...

I think people like you are not the norm for skiing. My family and friends that ski, only go a couple of times a year. I got to believe that most ski visits are the result of weekend vacations or day trippers.

Savemeasammy said:

I would like to see the data that supports an average of 5 days per year. Are there a lot of one-and-done skiers in this? People who only ski once every few years?! The people I know who ski (and ride) get in well over this many days...

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I was surprised the average was that high.

That reminds me of this thread from last year with that navy guy in Maine who was still skiing. I have to dig it up....