For roughly a decade, the number of skiers and snowboarders visiting U.S. resorts has remained more or less constant, with an average of approximately 52 million visits each year.
Recent studies indicate that the median age of skiers and snowboarders is increasing.
We became very good at teaching the technique, but we stopped showing beginners the camaraderie and social aspects and passion which are integral to the sports. It was all steak, no sizzle. According to the model, the US ski industry could climb back on the fast track if it could gradually increase retention of first-timers from the current 10 to 12 percent to at least at least 25 percent. The Guaranteed Learning Method program we launched in 1998 is already retaining more new skiers and riders than the NSAA goal. And it works.