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March, 2024

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Guess what? YOU are the future of skiing.

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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22671 - Karma: 75,830
http://origindesign.ca/blog/4300/mountain-sports/crystal-ball-wanted/comment-page-1/#comment-28420

That is a great post from the people over at Origin. They have gone through the SIA Participation report, which comes out every year.

"The most dedicated cohorts in the US? 35-44 year old skiers, and 13-17 year old riders."

"Skiing grew back when it was sexy. That happened to be during the Sexual Revolution. That’s not the Zeitgeist anymore. We’re now in the Information Age, a wired tribal social time. Snowboarding has nailed this vibe. Skiing needs to tap it."

What we're doing here at Newschoolers as a community is bringing new young people into the sport of skiing, making sure its fun, and turning them into loyal skiers for life. I have no idea why people bitch about the "12 year old park rat", when that person is so vital to the future of everything that we are. Small east coast resorts are a great place for new people to get into it, and to become lifetime skiers.

You know what the scary stat about snowsports?

"Half of the 31 million Americans who identified themselves as skiers or snowboarders DID NOT participate in the sport in 09/10, because of increased work and family commitments and not having anyone to go with… And though skier visits were up in Canada, actual participation amongst Canada’s 3.7 million skiers and boarders also continued a ten year decline."

What do you guys think of this?

Nov 1 2011 11:24AM
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Milksteak
Posts: 9948 - Karma: 842
This is quite the responsibility. Challenge accepted.
Nov 1 2011 11:29AM
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schu2122
Posts: 247 - Karma: 24
this
Nov 1 2011 11:36AM
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Pmoore
Posts: 1802 - Karma: 1,246
Interesting facts Mr. Bishop, I agree I have never understood the hate as I am a park rat myself. Though i do understand the hate on kids who progress in the wrong order. They need a friend who has to explain to them skiing down the hill well comes before learning how to hit rails and such. It worries and surprises me that less people are skiing everywhere! That is sad sad news, people are missing out.
Nov 1 2011 11:37AM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
considering we're in a mediocre economy, it's no surprise skier visits are down.


what was the point of this article anyway?
Nov 1 2011 11:47AM
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AntEater
Posts: 207 - Karma: 45
challenge accepted, I will ski more this year than i did last year, and drag people along too

Nov 1 2011 11:48AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
Id rather spend my time skiing.
Nov 1 2011 11:55AM
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Session
Posts: 5318 - Karma: 21,367
Actually I think the part about snowboarding being more wired in is complete bullshit. Supported by no facts whatsoever.

As a snowboarder I was frustrated by the lack of any online community outside the toxic environment of the old Burton forums. There was absolutely nothing else relevant.

Skiing has TGR, Newschoolers, and Epic Ski.

3 websites packed full of info for every relevant genre of skiing.
Nov 1 2011 12:04PM
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squibble
Posts: 4569 - Karma: 104
i wont get more than 7 days in a year until i graduate. last year i think i got 4.

i enjoy seeing little kids shred, but I don't like 14-16 year olds who wear xxxl clothes that look ridiculous. It's actually not their fault though, its the pros they are idolizing. And skiing is a sport that will always have weird people at its roots, so I guess thats never going to change.

I see nothing wrong with kids in the park, except that they're bodies aren't ready for it, especially the brain.

Nov 1 2011 12:05PM
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mooseman077
Posts: 300 - Karma: 359
It seems to me that 14-17 year old kids are going to be the most dedicated and show up to the mountain most because they still live with their parents and don't have any real responsibilities other than school and the occasional odd job. Don't mistake that statement as hating on them, its just a matter of fact. When I was that age I was skiing both weekend days and at least three days during the week. I could, I had nothing else going on at the time. Once you hit 18-20, you start to have to pay rent, have a job to pay rent, etc., and you can't make it out as often as you like. Now there are exceptions to the rule everywhere and I'm sure there are some 14-17 year old's who do work but this is just my random observation on the subject. Just because I can't make it to the mountain doesn't make me any less dedicated to doing what I love, skiing.
Nov 1 2011 12:11PM
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jeremy.g
Posts: 4931 - Karma: 459
i will do my part bishop! and if you are riding i will not hate, i dont care what the fuck you wear, tee to the ground or going bare ass naked. as long as your skiing good on ya. as long as they arent hating on shit as well i have no problems.


GO SKIING!!!
Nov 1 2011 12:12PM
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elliotness
Posts: 106 - Karma: 13
"Half of the 31 million Americans who identified themselves as skiers or snowboarders DID NOT participate in the sport in 09/10, because of increased work and family commitments and not having anyone to go with… And though skier visits were up in Canada, actual participation amongst Canada’s 3.7 million skiers and boarders also continued a ten year decline."

interesting stat.... I agree about the 12 year old park rat but resorts need to be starting after school programs for elementary middle school and high my thoughts to keep numbers up and increase the young demographic that is vital for ski industry
Nov 1 2011 12:16PM
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,354
Fuck yeah.


Skiing is more then just a sport to most of us. It's crazy to see where it's going.

Most of the kids i talk to about skiing, are like "Oh yeah i ski, but i didn't go up this year." or "yeah man skiing blows, snowboarding is the shit!! YEHAHHHHH" STuff like that, more or less just ignorance. It's really hard to find true dedicated skiers anymore.


The other day i was eating dinner at a mexican resturant. And this guy got up from his table and was putting the tip on the table or whatever he was doing, and i noticed he had a shirt that said "Work is for summer, skiing, that's for the other 9 months." And i said "nice shirt man!" he asked me i skied, and i said yeah i do. Well we ended up sitting and bullshitting for about an hour. Turns out the guy still skis his 198cm rossi midfats, he still hikes backcountry. he can drive stick with his ski boots on, and turns out, he's a part of the Jackson Hole Airforce (or was) but he showed me his patch, that was really crazy. I don't know, it's a dying breed and well it blows. It's all about who has the latest jiberish/double cork now, when it should be about wheather or not you're having fun.
Nov 1 2011 12:27PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,141

A ten year decline, you say? It appears that my master plan to destroy skiing is progressing nicely. Soon I will be the only skier in existence, and all the freshies will be mine.

Click for larger image

Nov 1 2011 12:35PM
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skiingblowsme
Posts: 664 - Karma: 100
im in
Nov 1 2011 12:36PM
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,088
Well here's the thing that i think a lot of people miss, sometimes it really is fun and it really gets you excited and happy to land those new tricks and have those new things. I personally work hard with my skiing to try and learn new things not just because it is "cool" but because it makes me happy to do these, and it is fun.

On a note, with the Olympics having pipe and slopestyle skiing, although it may affect the sport we have today, at least in the competition format, it will hopefully ensure the future of skiing for my children and even my grandchildren once they come around. I was born a skier, I will die a skier, but ill also make sure and raise a skier and keep this sport going.
Nov 1 2011 12:37PM
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doGelyst
Posts: 2491 - Karma: 508
Haha.
Nov 1 2011 12:41PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22671 - Karma: 75,830
Well, if you ask me, this is a hugely good point. I think that the article uses the word "wired" incorrectly. Skiing actually has great online communities... but the marketing people just ignore them and try to market harder to facebook.

Really what they were talking about (I think) is that Snowboarding does a better job of engaging the youth in general. You can easily see it at SIA - skiing is very old and stuffy for the most part, while snowboarding is super loose, young and partyin'.

This extends into the general way everyone is... Snowboarding seems much more inclusive of however people want to ride whereas skiing still has roots of aloofness.

Nov 1 2011 12:49PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22671 - Karma: 75,830
Yeah but that is the EXACT point of this... the industry needs to push hooking you on the sport as much as is possible BEFORE you get "real life" problems to deal with.

Try hitting your 30s, getting married, getting a mortgage and having a kid and seeing how easy it is to get days in.

BUT - if you were born a skier, and it was all you knew when you were younger... you'll make that extra effort.

Supporting the youth today is an investment in tomorrow.

Nov 1 2011 12:51PM
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thejosh81
Posts: 10 - Karma: 12
this
Nov 1 2011 12:52PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22671 - Karma: 75,830
Epic.

This should be like a fucking campaign on this site. We can change the future of skiing... grab someone who is slipping away and force them to come out.

Nov 1 2011 1:01PM
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duimiesteez
Posts: 113 - Karma: 140
ive informed my girlfriend that in order to date me she must learn to ski. the sport is growing thanks to me
Nov 1 2011 1:09PM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
more scrubs on hill = more gates to carve around :)
Nov 1 2011 1:12PM
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sugarloaf
Posts: 7866 - Karma: 299
on this note, i hope that more mountains follow sugarbush and make young adult/recent grad passes. a lot of people, myself included, are looking at not skiing much this year because it's too expensive. i've been a season pass holder since as long as i can remember, but now that i've entered the real world, and no longer have access to student discounts, i can't afford a $700- $1,000 pass, on top of student loans, new bills, moving into my own place, etc. only way to get around that is to get a job at a mountain, but then you're working for peanuts in a dead-end job (in most instances).

/end rant from a depressed skier who's probably gonna get out about 10 times this winter, instead of the 100+ days I've gotten the past 6ish years.
Nov 1 2011 1:12PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22671 - Karma: 75,830
TOTALLY. Here in Quebec one of our local resorts did a pass for people aged 25-35, which was under $400.

There is certainly support that needs to happen all along.. and lots of changes in general that the industry should go through.

I still stand though, that no matter the hurdles the more addicted you are when you're young the more chance you have of keeping it up when you're older.

Skiing should probably take some lessons from some old school tobacco marketers. :

Nov 1 2011 1:19PM
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Session
Posts: 5318 - Karma: 21,367
In all honesty younger skiers are trying too hard. The whole "tall" thing is a turn off for a lot of people.
Nov 1 2011 1:49PM
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Milksteak
Posts: 9948 - Karma: 842
You're a turn off to everyone.
Nov 1 2011 2:39PM
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Shark.
Posts: 3158 - Karma: 270
threads for a read
Nov 1 2011 2:55PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3336 - Karma: 5,677
Guess these market analysts didn't go to IF3 either (or Orage Masters, etc, etc, etc.)
In my experience, market analysts do one thing well: promote their market reports.
Nov 1 2011 2:58PM
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S.C
Posts: 3068 - Karma: 2,281
15 boom right in the middle haha
Nov 1 2011 3:03PM
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412.
Posts: 1050 - Karma: 247

present.

Nov 1 2011 3:12PM
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.squirrely.
Posts: 7563 - Karma: 7,540
i definetly fit that 14 to 17 park rat tall tee wannabe thug stereotype that i guess turns a lot of people away from skiing but thats what snowboarders used to be like right? back in like the 90s every snowboarder listened to rap and wore the baggiest pants then some ginger came along with the olympics and now snowboarding is less "frowned upon" by the public. maybe with freeskiing now in the olympics people will see a "cleaner" side of skiers because there wont be the whole thug outwerwear look and that part of skiing. did that make any sense?
Nov 1 2011 3:15PM
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amo
Posts: 6709 - Karma: 1,248
HAHAHA just lolled too loud and woke my roomie.


And I agree with Mooseman 100%
Nov 1 2011 3:18PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
I'm slipping away from skiing. You think 100+ day seasons for most of my teens would keep me doing it. I just don't have the time or money to ski anymore and I can't ski enough to even maintain the level I was at last year.

I figure I might as well spend my time doing something new, that I suck at (surfing) and then every time I go out I get that feeling that skiing used to give me. Not only that but I don't have to worry about $70 lift tickets and $8 beers. The ocean is free!
Nov 1 2011 3:27PM
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easy.steezy
Posts: 2931 - Karma: 1,056
Does skiing always have that image though?  For instance, when I told some new friends that I skied (they're snowboarders), they thought I was a racer and wore tight pants and a weird helmet.  I feel like the "tall and thug" part of skiing isn't its biggest face, many people still see skiing as alpine and racing.  But then again, this is probably a lot different in bigger ski/snowboard places, seeing as I live in New York.

And newschoolers has really changed my life skiing wise.  I used to get out maybe 5 times a year, and I'd rent.  Then when my friend showed me this site, and I became addicted.  I'm on everyday, and I have over 10 ski movies on my hard drive, and counting.  Watching all of these movies and immersing myself in this online culture has made me develop a deeper understanding and respect for this sport.  While all I have access to is the small hills that we call mountains, all I want to do is go out west and ski pow.  I love the park, but all I day dream about is hitting that perfect pillow line and being waist deep in fluff. 

Skiing has always been an escape for me, whenever I'm stressed and hung over something, night skiing with my friends helps me forget everything, and it's awesome.  It's self gratifying to find a place online where people share the same passion as I do.
Nov 1 2011 3:41PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,268
Yeah, my mountain has no student pass or anything, unless it's some well kept secret or something... 340$ for a pass is a lot of money for somebody who works a slightly above minimum wage, part time job in the summer and then goes to college the rest of the year, save winter break of course. And I don't have a car here at school, cause a parking pass is something stupid like 300$ so I can't really go skiing at will during school. I already try not to buy extraneous, useless stuff during the school year too. I'm not broke, but I'm trying to avoid becoming broke. It's not that I'm not dedicated to skiing, the ski hill is making it hard for my wallet to be dedicated to skiing.

Plus, if I got the pass, the amount I'd spend on gas getting there and back would go up exponentially due to me trying to get good use of the pass.

So I would explain the gap between ages 17 and 35 by going to college then entering the "real world".

On the plus side, over the recent years I've dragged my dad back into skiing. He finally decided to buy skis and boots and such. I think his last pair of skis are like at least 180cm k2 races skis with old death trap salomon bindings. I think they're called "twos" and there was also a one and three model. They're straight, and have a channel cut into the base...
Nov 1 2011 3:47PM
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uncski
Posts: 101 - Karma: 39
Flight from RDU-SLC - ($350)
Snowbird Resort Hotel 3 nights - $1,000 between 4 people - ($250)
Transportation to/from airport - ($75)
Lift Tickets to Snowbird 3 days - ($210)
Rentals $50/day for 3 days - ($150)

That's $1,035 to go skiing for 3 days if you don't own your own gear and don't live near a good mountain.  Not to mention other random clothes / gear you need to buy to stay warm if you don't already have it. Luckily I have my own gear, but still the cost is outrageous.

It costs more for me to ski for 3 days than it does for someone living nearby to buy a season pass.
Nov 1 2011 3:52PM
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afterbang_me
Posts: 385 - Karma: 152
SIA is so different from one side to another.  The snowboarding side is a huge loud party with skull candy throwing parties the whole time.  The skiing side is dull and dead during the day.  Moment throws some good after hours booth parties tho ;)
Nov 1 2011 3:54PM
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uncski
Posts: 101 - Karma: 39
Sorry, don't get me wrong, I think the availability of skiing to locals is great and doesn't need to change. I'm talking strictly from an out of towners perspective.
Nov 1 2011 3:54PM
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Justyle
Posts: 182 - Karma: 10
what i was thinknig, more pow for meeeeeeeeeee omnomnom'
Nov 1 2011 3:54PM
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Orrin
Posts: 1757 - Karma: 1,114
I will always ski the whole mountain. Fuck limiting yourself to just the park!
Nov 1 2011 3:57PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7265 - Karma: 33,275
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Nov 1 2011 3:58PM
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Asterisk
Posts: 954 - Karma: 199
East coast park rat here. I just got introduced to skiing last year. I already know I'll be skiing for the rest of my life and I like to think it has to do with this website
Nov 1 2011 3:58PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,268
And to expand, I agree with bishop. If you're hooked when you're young, then encounter the real world, then settle down you'll be like "it's skiing time". And if you struggle meeting the real world, you'll still be like "I'm gonna cut some expenses this week, and buy gas and a lift ticket for this weekend.

This is really easy to spot among surfers. I'll get their at 8am if I leave my house around 7:15, and I'll surf with guys that have been out since the sun started to come up. They often get out soon after I paddle out, and go to work. I surfed with a guy, the day before before Irene made landfall, who ran an airconditioning company or something. He said business sucks in the winter (obvious) and he hasn't even been doing good in the summer. But on his day off he chose to go surfing. Another local guy is always out before his work, which must start late. And another time he had to get out to watch his son's baseball game. They have other shit to do, but they always end up back in the water at some point.
Nov 1 2011 4:00PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
Im not surprised, there is a negative birth rate in Canada. Not to mention the cost of a lift pass is outrageous.
Nov 1 2011 4:01PM
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A.Eberhard
Posts: 4426 - Karma: 415
I think skiing is just getting to expensive. That is why I think skiers who say they participate in the sport are not going anymore. First you got the initial expensive of the equipment + driving + lift ticket. For a family of four to go skiing for the day isn't cheap. I think prices will drop as resorts and hills will have to compete for the remaining skiers.
Nov 1 2011 4:02PM
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BILL.COSBY
Posts: 292 - Karma: 5
AWWWWWW SHIT
Nov 1 2011 4:08PM
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uncski
Posts: 101 - Karma: 39
The real statistic I'd be interested in seeing would be how many of those 33 million skiers live within 1 hour of a ski resort?  And of that number, how many of THEM are skiing?  If that number is declining then there is an even bigger problem with the sport.
Nov 1 2011 4:08PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
this is true, but typically a day or two skiing for a family is cheaper than a week-long trip to hawaii/mexico. I think many families are opting for 'staycations' where they don't travel far from home on their breaks.
Nov 1 2011 4:18PM
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rudager
Posts: 11332 - Karma: 4,597
I think we just need another sexy revolution.
But more James Bond Apres ski style.



As much as there are kids under 18 that are rising. I still think people between 20-29 have still make a difference and revolutionize the outcome of the image people get from skiing.

To say that the dedicated skiers are 13-17, and 33-44, it kind of completely ignores everyone that has ever aspired to be living the easy life in a ski town.

I can't say I'm part of the ski town ski bum demographic anymore. I'm done college in 6 months, and then I'm staying in the city.
I've aspired for it though, I even lived it for a season. After I moved to the city however, I've decided to stay here. Kinda put the ski town dream on hiatus for a couple seasons.

I know not everyone my age is like this, of course there are people who have it set in the small towns. They wouldn't dream of any other life.

I can hope that the youngens coming up keep the ski town vibe alive. As opposed to the suburban weekend warrior (like I may soon be).














My thoughts have wandered in this post...
Nov 1 2011 4:37PM
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squibble
Posts: 4569 - Karma: 104
as long as my kids are on snow i dont care if they ski or snowboard.

And also skiing in the olympics is a bad call, especially for those of us who aren't sponsored. honestly any publicity at all ahaha but thats never going to happen, more crowds/gapers are inevitable
Nov 1 2011 5:05PM
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