outdoorinsightmag.com
END INSIGHT
Estimated U.S. Snowsports Visits
(In millions)
Ski Area Visits Were Up this Past Season Helmet Usage Is Still Rising
Average U.S. Ski Area Visits
(Per Participant In millions)
2009/10 2009/10
2010/11 2010/11
2011/12 2011/12
2012/13 2012/13
2013/14 2013/14
2014/15 2014/15
2015/16 2015/16
2016/17
2016/17
2017/18
2017/18
2018/19 2018/19
59.79
60.54
50.97
56.90
56.49
53.58
52.79
54.76
53.27
59.34
5.54
5.57
5.64
5.61
5.61
5.57
5.56
5.78
5.73
5.71
TRENDING
UP
Strong Snowfall = Strong Ski Participation
Skier visits to U.S. ski areas for the
2018/19 season:
59 million+
11 percent increase over the
2017/18 season total of
53.3 million.
Snowfall for the 2018/19 season:
up 31 percent nationwide over
the previous season.
The 2018/19 season ranks as the
fourth best since NSAA began
recording visitation in 1978/79.
Visitation grew the most in the
Pacific Southwest and Rocky
Mountain regions, by
22.9 percent
and 15.6 percent respectively
over the previous season.
Total visitation numbers were highest
in the Rocky Mountain region at
over
24 million (a record year for the
region), followed by the Northeast
with approximately
12.7 million.
84 percent of skiers and snowboarders
at U.S. ski areas reported wearing helmets
last season.
Helmet usage at U.S. ski areas has
increased every year for
16 consecutive years.
The age group
least likely to wear helmets is
18 to 24 years old, with 76 percent usage.
Helmet usage has come a long way: In the
2002/03 season
only 25 percent of skiers
and snowboarders reported wearing helmets.
Source: National Ski Areas Association
34 • Outdoor Insight • December 2019
