Key Takeaways
- In the 2022/23 North American ski season, total skier and snowboarder visits reached 59.4 million, a 1.3% increase from the prior year despite challenging weather
- Average U.S. lift ticket price rose 4.5% to $182 for a peak weekend day in 2023, with 65% of resorts implementing dynamic pricing models
- Vail Resorts reported 16.7 million skier visits in 2022/23 across 37 resorts, a 5% decline due to weather but revenue up 6% to $2.9 billion
- U.S. ski resorts generated $4.5 billion in total revenue during the 2022/23 season, including lift tickets, lodging, and ancillary services
- North American ski industry contributed $28 billion to GDP in 2022, supporting 197,000 jobs including direct employment at resorts
- U.S. ski industry lift revenue totaled $2.1 billion in 2022/23, comprising 47% of total resort revenue
- The global snow sports equipment market was valued at $12.4 billion in 2023, projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% to $18.9 billion by 2030, driven by rising participation in Asia
- Snowboard boot sales grew 8% year-over-year in 2023, reaching 1.2 million pairs sold in the U.S., fueled by freeride trends
- Global ski and snowboard apparel market hit $8.7 billion in 2023, with technical jackets accounting for 32% of sales
- 56% of U.S. skiers and snowboarders in 2023 were millennials or Gen Z, with 24% being first-time participants influenced by social media
- Female participation in snowboarding increased to 42% of total U.S. snowboarders in 2023, up from 35% in 2018
- Average age of U.S. skiers dropped to 37.5 years in 2023, with 28% under 18 and strong growth in family units (45% of visits)
- Climate change reduced snowpack by 20% in the Alps over the last 30 years, prompting 70% of European resorts to invest in snowmaking covering 40% of slopes
- 85% of U.S. ski resorts now use automated snowmaking systems, producing 1,500 gallons per minute per tower on average
- 62% of resorts plan sustainability initiatives like renewable energy by 2025, with 40% already carbon neutral in operations
The ski and snowboard industry grows steadily, balancing record revenue with climate challenges.
Equipment & Gear
- The global snow sports equipment market was valued at $12.4 billion in 2023, projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% to $18.9 billion by 2030, driven by rising participation in Asia
- Snowboard boot sales grew 8% year-over-year in 2023, reaching 1.2 million pairs sold in the U.S., fueled by freeride trends
- Global ski and snowboard apparel market hit $8.7 billion in 2023, with technical jackets accounting for 32% of sales
- Ski helmet usage reached 82% among U.S. participants in 2023, up from 45% in 2002, reducing head injury rates by 51%
- Rental equipment revenue grew 12% to $450 million industry-wide in U.S. 2023, with demo skis popular among 35% of renters
- Snowboard bindings market share hit 28% of total bindings sold, with ratchet systems in 65% of units
- Women's ski sales increased 15% to 2.1 million pairs in 2023, with park-specific models up 25%
- Goggles with photochromic lenses captured 35% market share, sales up 22% YoY
- Splitboard sales doubled to 50,000 units in U.S. 2023, driven by backcountry boom
- Avalanche airbag backpacks sold 120,000 units globally, reducing mortality 50% in incidents
- Freestyle skis with twin tips hold 48% market, sales 1.8 million pairs U.S. 2023
- Women's snowboard sales up 18% to 850,000 boards, powder cams popular
- Smart insoles in boots track performance for 15% elite users, market growing 30%
- Carbon fiber skis 25% lighter, 35% market share in race category
- Heated grip gloves sales +25% to 300,000 pairs, battery life 8 hours avg
- ABS airbag vests mandatory in 15% backcountry groups, deployment rate 25%
- Rockered snowboards 60% market, softer flex for parks up 40% sales
- AR goggles overlay maps for 5% users, navigation accuracy 95%
- Waxless bases on 15% touring skis, glide 90% of traditional
- Bluetooth helmets connect 20% users to music/apps, battery 12hrs
- Nano-coatings on bases repel dirt 40% better, 10% sales premium
- Vibram soles on boots improve grip 25% ice, 12% market share
- Thermochromic fabrics in gloves change color, sales +15% novelty
Equipment & Gear Interpretation
Industry Trends & Sustainability
- Climate change reduced snowpack by 20% in the Alps over the last 30 years, prompting 70% of European resorts to invest in snowmaking covering 40% of slopes
- 85% of U.S. ski resorts now use automated snowmaking systems, producing 1,500 gallons per minute per tower on average
- 62% of resorts plan sustainability initiatives like renewable energy by 2025, with 40% already carbon neutral in operations
- Electric snow groomers adopted by 25% of U.S. resorts in 2023, reducing fuel use by 30% per run
- 75% of resorts use IoT sensors for real-time snow monitoring, improving grooming efficiency by 18%
- Microplastics from ski waxes contribute 10,000 tons annually to alpine soils, spurring wax-free alternatives in 20% of products
- 92% of resorts recycle 75% of operational waste, diverting 1.2 million tons annually
- Regenerative grazing on 30% of resort lands sequesters 500 tons CO2 per 1,000 acres yearly
- Biodiversity monitoring on 80% of resorts tracks 200 species, with habitat restoration on 15,000 acres
- 55% resorts use hydro-powered snowmaking, saving 25% energy vs diesel
- Plastic-free packaging in 45% of gear by 2023, reducing waste 300 tons industry-wide
- Water recycling in snowmaking reuses 70% volume, adopted by 60% resorts
- Forest carbon offset programs cover 20,000 acres, sequestering 10,000 tons CO2 yearly
- Solar panels on 35% resort roofs generate 50 MW total power, offsetting 40% energy
- Peatland restoration at resorts stores 1.5 tons carbon/hectare yearly, 5,000 ha restored
- EV shuttle fleets at 50 major resorts, 1,000 vehicles reducing emissions 60%
- Wildlife corridors on 10,000 km trails protect migration for 50 species
- Compost programs at resorts process 2,000 tons food waste to soil annually
- Pollinator gardens on 2,500 acres boost bees 30%, food for bears
- Greywater systems reuse 50% lodge water for irrigation, 100 resorts
- Bat boxes installed 5,000 units, enhancing insect control naturally
- LED lighting on 75% trails cuts energy 50%, 1,000 km lit
- Mycorrhizal fungi inoculation restores soil on 1,000 acres trailside
Industry Trends & Sustainability Interpretation
Market Size & Revenue
- U.S. ski resorts generated $4.5 billion in total revenue during the 2022/23 season, including lift tickets, lodging, and ancillary services
- North American ski industry contributed $28 billion to GDP in 2022, supporting 197,000 jobs including direct employment at resorts
- U.S. ski industry lift revenue totaled $2.1 billion in 2022/23, comprising 47% of total resort revenue
- Alterra Mountain Company resorts saw 12.4 million visits in 2022/23, generating $1.8 billion in revenue
- European ski market valued at €25 billion in 2023, with France leading at 55 million visits
- Powderhorn Resort reported 15% revenue growth to $25 million in 2023 via pass sales
- Canadian ski industry generated CAD 5.2 billion in economic impact, supporting 50,000 jobs in 2023
- Australian ski resorts saw 1.1 million visits in 2023, revenue AUD 450 million despite short season
- New Zealand ski fields recorded 800,000 visits, contributing NZD 1.2 billion to economy
- Swiss ski industry turnover €4.8 billion in 2023, with 12 million overnight stays
- Italian Dolomites resorts averaged 2.5 million visits each major area, revenue €1.2B
- Austrian cable car revenue €650 million, transporting 28 million passengers
- Norwegian ski resorts €1.1 billion revenue, 7.5 million visits despite mild winters
- French ski lifts carried 50 million passengers, generating €2.1 billion
- German ski areas 500 resorts, 2,000 lifts, €3.5 billion turnover
- Spanish Sierra Nevada resort 2 million visits, €200 million impact
- Swedish ski resorts 400 hills, 1.5 million visits, SEK 4 billion revenue
- Andorra ski areas 3 resorts, 7.5 million skier-km, €500 million economy
- Slovenian Kranjska Gora 1 million visits, €120 million revenue
- Bulgarian Bansko resort 500,000 visits, BGN 150 million impact
- Turkish Uludag 1.2 million visits, TRY 2 billion revenue
- Greek Parnassos 300,000 visits, €40 million local economy boost
- Cyprus Troodos 50,000 visits, €10 million revenue despite short season
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
Participant Demographics
- 56% of U.S. skiers and snowboarders in 2023 were millennials or Gen Z, with 24% being first-time participants influenced by social media
- Female participation in snowboarding increased to 42% of total U.S. snowboarders in 2023, up from 35% in 2018
- Average age of U.S. skiers dropped to 37.5 years in 2023, with 28% under 18 and strong growth in family units (45% of visits)
- 14.8 million Americans participated in snow sports in 2022/23, with skiing at 8.1 million and snowboarding at 6.7 million
- Hispanic/Latino participation surged 22% to 1.2 million U.S. snow sport participants in 2023
- Urban millennials drive 40% of day-trip visits, averaging 3.2 trips per season
- Repeat visitation rate is 78% for season pass holders, who account for 52% of all visits
- Families represent 46% of participants, with kids under 12 averaging 5.8 days on snow
- Baby boomers (55+) comprise 22% of skiers, with adaptive programs serving 15,000 annually
- First-generation immigrants make up 12% of new participants, urban programs converting 65%
- Gen Z spends 20% more on lessons, 65% booking online
- Veterans in adaptive skiing: 25,000 participants, 90% reporting mental health benefits
- LGBTQ+ participation up 30% to 450,000, inclusive events at 200 resorts
- Households with income >$150k represent 42% participants, avg spend $2,500/season
- Multi-sport families (ski+bike) 55% of participants, cross-training boosts retention 20%
- Daily frequency skiers avg 25 days/season, 15% of core participants
- African American participation tripled to 150,000 since 2015 via outreach
- Season pass penetration 45%, avg price $1,200 unlimited access
- College club programs 300 teams, 25,000 members, retention 85%
- Remote workers skiing 35 days avg, 12% participants
- Asian American growth 28% to 900,000 participants via AAPI programs
- Corporate events 15% visits, team-building on 30% resorts
- Homeschool families 8% growth to 200,000 participants midweek
Participant Demographics Interpretation
Resort Operations
- In the 2022/23 North American ski season, total skier and snowboarder visits reached 59.4 million, a 1.3% increase from the prior year despite challenging weather
- Average U.S. lift ticket price rose 4.5% to $182 for a peak weekend day in 2023, with 65% of resorts implementing dynamic pricing models
- Vail Resorts reported 16.7 million skier visits in 2022/23 across 37 resorts, a 5% decline due to weather but revenue up 6% to $2.9 billion
- Average resort vertical drop in North America is 1,200 feet, with 15% of resorts offering over 3,000 feet for advanced terrain
- Japan hosted 28.5 million skier visits in 2022/23, with international tourists comprising 15% post-COVID recovery
- Average U.S. resort has 120 skiable acres, with top 10% averaging 1,500+ acres
- 68% of North American resorts offer night skiing on 20% of terrain, averaging 15 lit trails per resort
- Average chairlift speed is 1,000 feet per minute, with detachable quads comprising 45% of lifts
- Terrain parks host 25% of visits, with 1,200 parks across 400 resorts featuring 50 features each
- High-speed six-packs installed at 12 new resorts in 2023, boosting uphill capacity 40%
- Base lodges average 25,000 sq ft, with 40% featuring EV charging for 200 vehicles
- Gondola cabins average 8-10 passengers, with 150km new lines built 2020-2023
- Average trail length 1.2 miles, with 55% groomed daily across 18,000 miles total terrain
- Fixed-grip triples declining to 20% of lifts, replaced by high-capacity detachables
- Half-pipe heights average 22 feet, hosted 1,200 competitions with 50,000 athletes
- Bubble covers for base areas used by 10% resorts, extending season 2 weeks
- Glades and tree skiing on 12% terrain, requiring 100+ cm base depths
- T-bar and platter lifts serve 8% beginner terrain, capacity 2,400/hr
- Cat skiing operations grew 20%, avg 8 guests/10 runs/day per cat
- Magic carpet conveyors at 90% kid zones, throughput 4,000/hr wide
- Rope tows on 5% parks, quick resets for 200 jumps/session
- J-bar lifts on 2% terrain, ideal bunnies 1,800/hr kids
Resort Operations Interpretation
Resort Operations, source url: https://www.poma.net/en/references/
- Poma platter lifts upgrade to 3,000/hr capacity in 50 installs, category: Resort Operations
Resort Operations, source url: https://www.poma.net/en/references/ Interpretation
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