Visits nationally have remained consistent for the past decade and a half. Much of that consistency can be attributed to the rise of snowboarding. Without snowboarding, skier visits would have dropped over the same period. Snowboarding visits were 26.4 percent of all visits last year, up 6.1 percent over the previous winter, which had a 24.9 percent increase over the winter of 1997-98. Last season s 6.1 percent increase was the lowest in the past seven years, pointing out a slowing in the number of people snowboarding.
Shifts are also evident in the demographics of snowboarders.
Rider profiles are more diverse, reports NSAA, reflecting the tendency of alpine skiers to cross over and participate in snowboarding. Individually, snowboarders continue to be more active participants, riding more days per season than alpine skiers. From this vantage point, the snow sports industry appears healthy and stable, but not vigorous and growing. But there are dark clouds on the horizon. Families are foregoing ski vacations until the kids are older.