The skiing stereotype of being well off

[jack97]

Sorry if this has been posted already - I didn't read all 8 pages. Median Household in the US is about $52,000 / year. Household = 2.2 people. Half of the US households are living on less than $52,000. That's the richest country in the world.

My guess is most people on ski forums are "rich." Riding lifts and skiing on snowmaking is expensive.

Def agree.... I would just point out, there's "rich" and a "filthy rich" .

 

[ScottySkis]

Sorry if this has been posted already - I didn't read all 8 pages. Median Household in the US is about $52,000 / year. Household = 2.2 people. Half of the US households are living on less than $52,000. That's the richest country in the world.

My guess is most people on ski forums are "rich." Riding lifts and skiing on snowmaking is expensive.

I not rich at all. When I started skiing I was a teenager, but my dad did have a good income. He has since retired leaving me with his ski addiction. I find ways to go cheaply mostly buying last years stuff online and online tickets and so many cheap ways mostly what I out in cheap thread is stuff I have known about for years.

 

[jack97]

Here's some interesting data points from a blogger. Income, age and inheritance comes into play. Attached is the link to the blog.

"On average, skiers have a greater annual income than the average American with 92.9% of skiers making in excess of $50,000/yr and 46.1% making in excess of $100,000/yr compared to the median American income of $49,777 (this data comes from the National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association: Snowboarding and Skiing Participation report published in 2010), and the Baby Boomers, are (or were before the current economic malaise) the wealthiest generation in history, benefiting not only from being in mature, well paying jobs during the height of the economic boom years of the late 90′s and early 2000′s, but from also having been the beneficiaries of the largest transfer of inter-generational wealth from their parents."


http://www.mrablog.com/explaining-ski-industry-demographics/

 

[Edd]

Seems like that does not bode well for the sport. I hear little that does.

The expense, along with the cumbersome process of getting started with it (different thread, think chaotic weekend rental shops), make make jumping into skiing /riding daunting.

 

[tomcat]

I by choice work part time jobs so I can actually have time to enjoy my sports..cycling,hiking, skiing, xc skiing, etc. For anyone who has been to Dover Foxcroft ME, there is no outlet for good paying jobs even if I wanted to. I could travel an hour to Bangor one way but that's not fun. So needless to say, I am not well to do. I skied 10 times last year and spent less than $200. I slept in my car numerous nights to keep this price down. It is getting harder to ski cheaply. My gear lasts a long time but with patience you can ultimately find great deals on gear and even tickets occasionally.

If you are passionate about something you will find a way to make it happen. I have had to give up on pricier hobbies. I have my commercial pilot license but haven't flown for years because it isn't a priority. Outdoor sports generally don't cost much beyond gear. XC skiing, hiking, cycling, don't cost me anything since I have the gear already so I "splurge" for some fun skiing.

 

[witch hobble]

Skiers in this thread - "well off" but still cheap!

 

[ss20]

I know some people who don't ski because they don't have health insurance. Insurance is another 2,000$ per year to factor in (at a bare minimum) . Could Obamacare help the industry if people don't have to fear a 15,000$ injury due to skiing? If Obamacare can reduce health insurance costs, will people have more money and confidence to try skiing?

 

[ScottySkis]

I know some people who don't ski because they don't have health insurance. Insurance is another 2,000$ per year to factor in (at a bare minimum) . Could Obamacare help the industry if people don't have to fear a 15,000$ injury due to skiing? If Obamacare can reduce health insurance costs, will people have more money and confidence to try skiing?

You mean the affordable health care act?

 

[steamboat1]

At least those in DC can go skiing.

 

[ss20]

You mean the affordable health care act?

Yes.

 

[Puck it]

Yes.

We are losing our HMO Blue at our work because of this poorly thrown together piece of crap. We now only have two choices and our upfront costs will be more. So our healthcare cost has gone up. HMO Blue is going away because it is considered a Cadillac plan.

 

[dlague]

We are losing our HMO Blue at our work because of this poorly thrown together piece of crap. We now only have two choices and our upfront costs will be more. So our healthcare cost has gone up. HMO Blue is going away because it is considered a Cadillac plan.

Insurance is increasing across the board across the country! In order to support some of the rule changes that are now here or are soon to be forced on the general public the insurance companies will need to share the burden for the smaller part of the population across the larger part of the population. I am fortunate to work for a company who pays a majority of my insurance but the the out of pocket cost per visit has increased as well as deductibles.

I really thing that it was not well vetted and enough long range impact was considered it was a rush job for sure!

In any case, we have had our share of injuries in my family pre Obama Care and the cost were high already hate to see what it would be now. As far as being well off - I am not sure too many consider the potential health care cost aspect of it! I am sure they are referring to lift ticket costs, gear and lodging!

 

[steamboat1]

I really thing that it was not well vetted and enough long range impact was considered it was a rush job for sure!

Vetted? No one even read the damn thing.

It's grown from 2,000 pgs. to now being over 20,000 pgs.

 

[dmc]

Vetted? No one even read the damn thing.

umm.... the only people that didn't read it are the people that are against it.

Teaparty isn't really good at reading.. they let all the rich people do it for them

My healthcare is not changing - I actually have more options now.

 

[dmc]

I know some people who don't ski because they don't have health insurance. Insurance is another 2,000$ per year to factor in (at a bare minimum) . Could Obamacare help the industry if people don't have to fear a 15,000$ injury due to skiing? If Obamacare can reduce health insurance costs, will people have more money and confidence to try skiing?

Yes - and you can switch providers with an pre-existing condition too..

 

[dmc]

In any case, we have had our share of injuries in my family pre Obama Care and the cost were high already hate to see what it would be now. As far as being well off - I am not sure too many consider the potential health care cost aspect of it! I am sure they are referring to lift ticket costs, gear and lodging!

And NOW you can switch providers because they can't deny you with pre-existing conditions...
AND your coverage will not be capped!!!
AND you can keep your kids on your plan longer if they need it...

 

[dmc]

I walked into a nice upscale restaurant at a ski area a while ago.. Looking to get a big meal...
Was in my snowboard gear with my snowboard friends...

Was told by the hostess... "The cafeteria is over by the entrance"....

 

[dlague]

Yes - and you can switch providers with an pre-existing condition too..

So if you get injured you can find better insurance and it will all get paid for! Awesome! What is there to worry about?

 

[dlague]

And NOW you can switch providers because they can't deny you with pre-existing conditions...
AND your coverage will not be capped!!!
AND you can keep your kids on your plan longer if they need it...

And this all comes free! No one pays for it - that's cool!

 

[dmc]

So if you get injured you can find better insurance and it will all get paid for! Awesome! What is there to worry about?

No you can find a better insurance company if you don't like your current provider.
And they have to take you with pre existing conditions..

A good thing!!