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GayWolf420
June, 2025

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Skiing is growing again

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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22738 - Karma: 77,013
Quick snippet of data just came out of SIA -

http://blog.snowsports.org/snowsource/snow-sports-participants-numbers-increased-in-2014/2015

Turns out that skiing overall grew 4%, and the number of participants who identified themselves as "Freeskiers" grew 10%.

So lookie there... we're actually growing which is super sweet. Snowboarding grew too, so it wasn't just people switching planks - it was actual honest-to-god growth.
10 years ago
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.Roockley.
Posts: 3874 - Karma: 4,149
I'd love to see a resort by resort break down, surely the $100+ day pass resorts would be in decline with cheaper ones going way up?
10 years ago
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22738 - Karma: 77,013
.Roockley.I'd love to see a resort by resort break down, surely the $100+ day pass resorts would be in decline with cheaper ones going way up?


I don't know about that... I mean for the most part skiing is a luxury sport. The rich are getting fantastically rich again (after losing a lot in the financial collapse) so they can waste money again on silly things like sliding down the mountain on two sticks in Aspen.

My data is based on nothing other than the fact that skiing is 100% classed as a luxury sport. So when the rich get fucked so do we.
10 years ago
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S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,172
And people said the olympics wouldn't bring people to freeskiing.
10 years ago
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Mingg
Posts: 14049 - Karma: 50,976
Sick!

We've been noticing this too! Our membership numbers have been steady for some time, but within the past couple years they've increased significantly. Signing up more and more people who've never skied before and putting out way more learn to ski/board packages and such - its dope to see so many people who are genuinely stoked to learn how to ski!
10 years ago
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22738 - Karma: 77,013
S.J.WAnd people said the olympics wouldn't bring people to freeskiing.


Touche.

Though we will really never get any concrete data on this, there is a significant chance you are correct.

I would say the overall increase has nothing to do with the Olympics - much more to do with the Economy - The 10% increase in "Freeskiing" is pretty suspect of at least there being some potential correlation to that.

Of course its important to note the Freeskiing category has been growing for some time. It used to be growing like 145% every year, so its slowed down some... but its nice to see growth still happening.
10 years ago
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-Dan
Posts: 7193 - Karma: 53,520
mo money mo problems tho.
10 years ago
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S.J.W
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Mr.BishopTouche.

Though we will really never get any concrete data on this, there is a significant chance you are correct.

I would say the overall increase has nothing to do with the Olympics - much more to do with the Economy - The 10% increase in "Freeskiing" is pretty suspect of at least there being some potential correlation to that.

Of course its important to note the Freeskiing category has been growing for some time. It used to be growing like 145% every year, so its slowed down some... but its nice to see growth still happening.


I talked to about 6 or 7 gapers this season, just handing out tips n shit. And I asked them how they got into/heard about freeskiing. All of them said the olympics. So it has helped. Granted this was at Whistler so I think the majority of people who have entered the park because of the olympics are just your one week a year gapers. But still there was a time when I went down to the snow only one week a year and I'm pretty sure so did everyone else on NS unless you're the luckiest person alive and you lived in the rockies.
10 years ago
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22738 - Karma: 77,013
S.J.WI talked to about 6 or 7 gapers this season, just handing out tips n shit. And I asked them how they got into/heard about freeskiing. All of them said the olympics. So it has helped. Granted this was at Whistler so I think the majority of people who have entered the park because of the olympics are just your one week a year gapers. But still there was a time when I went down to the snow only one week a year and I'm pretty sure so did everyone else on NS unless you're the luckiest person alive and you lived in the rockies.


No you're right, I've seen it too.

I think the main challenge right now is what those types of people learn about this sport. The last thing I want is for them to see it in the Olympics and get rammed into a competitive freestyle program that is only about training and winning. I mean if you want to go in that direction then fucking send it son...

But I really hope we can start introducing these people into just super fun park culture where they learn a love for the mountains and getting together with their buddies to shred.
10 years ago
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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
S.J.WAnd people said the olympics wouldn't bring people to freeskiing.

People mostly said it would bring about the wrong mindset, which I still partially agree with. Leading on to my next point...

Mr.BishopNo you're right, I've seen it too.

I think the main challenge right now is what those types of people learn about this sport. The last thing I want is for them to see it in the Olympics and get rammed into a competitive freestyle program that is only about training and winning. I mean if you want to go in that direction then fucking send it son...

But I really hope we can start introducing these people into just super fun park culture where they learn a love for the mountains and getting together with their buddies to shred.


Agreed! Skiing is about having tons of fun, chilling out, and getting some laps of that run/ park/ pillow line. It is the best thing in the world, and I'm kind of worried when I see the attitude that is growing now. I've had gapers come up to me after I bailed doing a 3 and be like "that 360 you did was shit! WTF you suck" which made me chuckle a lot. It is quite sad in a way, that they treat it as being better than someone else. I don't ski to please the gaper. I ski to please myself, and I love it. Every minute (minus the injuries, although they have their own kind of appeal) is treasured. A chance to escape from the annoying hardships and formalities of life, where everything becomes much more simple: just you and the mountain.


Amen
10 years ago
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Mingg
Posts: 14049 - Karma: 50,976
The referenced post has been removed.


My best guess would be from pass and/or equipment sales. But yeah, really how do they come up with those numbers?
10 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38200 - Karma: 131,025
TallxTmo money mo problems tho.


not if we keep lip on blind 2'in and smoking fat doobie spliffs.
10 years ago
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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
DeebieSkeebiesnot if we keep lip on blind 2'in and smoking fat doobie spliffs.


I give those two years, maybe three at best.
10 years ago
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broto
Posts: 9040 - Karma: 25,673
MLJI give those two years, maybe three at best.


bruh

fat doobie spleefs are 4ever
10 years ago
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hyllengren
Posts: 351 - Karma: 9,950
Mr.BishopBut I really hope we can start introducing these people into just super fun park culture where they learn a love for the mountains and getting together with their buddies to shred.


This
10 years ago
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-Dan
Posts: 7193 - Karma: 53,520
DeebieSkeebiesnot if we keep lip on blind 2'in and smoking fat doobie spliffs.


i dont even smoke
10 years ago
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
Random ass question (sort of related), but since somebody brought up earlier that upper class really drives the sport, does anybody know or have figures showing how affordability has changed over the past decade or so (equipment, passes, etc)?

Would actually really like to do an article tying all this in (Global econ, climate change, affordability and changing interest in the sport), and make a loose prediction for the future of skiing (10 years or so). Titled something such as "Sustainability of Skiing." Thoughts?
10 years ago
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,297
Not to be negative, but I wonder how many people wrongly identify as "freeskiers," meaning they went in the park once a have no intent to learn but thought the label sounded cool.

Maybe I'll see the change this winter. Anybody who skies mountain creek can attest to the fact that it's overwhelmingly snowboarders.
10 years ago
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Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,324
DrZoidbergNot to be negative, but I wonder how many people wrongly identify as "freeskiers," meaning they went in the park once a have no intent to learn but thought the label sounded cool.

Maybe I'll see the change this winter. Anybody who skies mountain creek can attest to the fact that it's overwhelmingly snowboarders.


Problem there is the term freeskiing itself. I hate the term and want it to die. Freeskiing doesn't just mean park skiing. Big mountain, ski touring, in bounds off piste... It's too broad a term which, over the years is just growing to eventually encompass every aspect of the sport. Basically: freeskiing is a state of mind, not a genre - and because of that, it doesn't actually hold any weight.
10 years ago
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,094
.Roockley.I'd love to see a resort by resort break down, surely the $100+ day pass resorts would be in decline with cheaper ones going way up?


I'm working on an article right now detailing the fall of the local ski area along with some places that are doing it right. You will see it later this week for sure.
10 years ago
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22738 - Karma: 77,013
DrailProblem there is the term freeskiing itself. I hate the term and want it to die. Freeskiing doesn't just mean park skiing. Big mountain, ski touring, in bounds off piste... It's too broad a term which, over the years is just growing to eventually encompass every aspect of the sport. Basically: freeskiing is a state of mind, not a genre - and because of that, it doesn't actually hold any weight.


As J Lev said - "Its just skiing."
10 years ago
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gperry1
Posts: 377 - Karma: 818
DrZoidbergNot to be negative, but I wonder how many people wrongly identify as "freeskiers," meaning they went in the park once a have no intent to learn but thought the label sounded cool.


I agree with this completely. The article said that skiers "who identified themselves as “freeskiers” who say they primarily ski in the park and pipe and on natural and manmade features increased by 10% to 4.5M" and I think the last part about the natural and man made features is extremely important. Some people may also have misunderstood the term "freeskier" but I'm not really sure how they found the information because I was never surveyed or asked on if I identify myself as a freeskier.
10 years ago
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,297
I'm just a fan of good data. Otherwise I don't care what it's called, I'm still skiing as I like.

Freeskiing or newschool being a state of mind was in Bishop's sig at one point? Not sure who the quote was from.
10 years ago
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LynxNation
Posts: 780 - Karma: 5,853
ndyeI'm working on an article right now detailing the fall of the local ski area along with some places that are doing it right. You will see it later this week for sure.


Shit like this is interesting. Stoked to read the article.
10 years ago
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PilleDaKid
Posts: 3193 - Karma: 2,629
Mr.BishopOf course its important to note the Freeskiing category has been growing for some time. It used to be growing like 145% every year, so its slowed down some... but its nice to see growth still happening.


Woah, that's crazy! I'm curious to know when and for how long it was growing at that rate of around 145% per year, couldn't have been too long ago since the term "freeskiing" seems like it's relatively new. I wonder if 20 years from now there will be a new term to describe the way people ski other than freeskiing.
10 years ago
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22738 - Karma: 77,013
PilleDaKidWoah, that's crazy! I'm curious to know when and for how long it was growing at that rate of around 145% per year, couldn't have been too long ago since the term "freeskiing" seems like it's relatively new. I wonder if 20 years from now there will be a new term to describe the way people ski other than freeskiing.


That was more in like the '04-'07 region. Back then it was more dubbed Newschool - which was "Newschool Freestyle". So it was dubbed twin tip sales which just blew up like crazy when they hit the scene.
10 years ago
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,094
LynxNationShit like this is interesting. Stoked to read the article.


I have some information on my local hill which is still trying to secure financing for the coming year, they extended the deadline another week, so ill be sitting on the article for a little bit longer until this wraps up. I have some information about the industry in regards to that hill in there and id rather wait until they make a decision.
10 years ago
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