The question, “How popular is skiing?” can be put forward for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you’re curious about what other countries think about your favorite sport. Is skiing becoming a preferred pastime for the younger generation? Are people more likely to visit mountain ranges during the summer rather than the winter? Do resorts cater to all abilities? These are all questions that you might ask yourself, and the answers may surprise you.
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Overall Trends In Skiing
One of the best sources for answering the question, “How popular is skiing?” is the Mountain Travel and Tourism Council (MTT). As a member of the National Association of Mountain Travel Agencies, the MTT collects and disseminates data on mountain tourism, which allows them to analyze key market trends. Between 2016 and 2018, the MTTC compiled and analyzed data from 68 countries around the world, including Canada, which was the focus of this article. The results of their study revealed that during the past decade, summer skiing and winter sports have seen the greatest increase in participation while snowboarding and freeride have seen the largest decline in participation.
The Rise Of Summer Skiing
Between 2004 and 2013, the number of people participating in skiing and snowboarding more than doubled, according to the MTTC study. The number of people skiing increased from 64.9 million to 136.7 million, while the number of snowboarders more than doubled from 12.4 million to 25.9 million. The sport is now recognized as one of the most popular winter sports globally.
The increase in popularity is likely due to a number of factors. First, resorts have opened their doors to more inclusive accommodation, allowing skiers of all abilities to participate. Second, the ability to access ski terrain online has made it easier for people to discover and learn about new resorts and activities. Finally, the financial stability and growth of the mountain travel industry in general has provided more opportunities for people to indulge in their favorite winter sport.
Participation And Attitudes Toward The Snow
The greatest increase in participation between 2004 and 2013 took place in Europe, where the MTTC study focused. In particular, the popularity of skiing in the UK increased by 26% between 2011 and 2018, according to the British Travel Council. Across Europe as a whole, the number of people skiing increased by 11% during the same time period. This increase can be attributed, at least in part, to better snow conditions and increased popularity of winter sports in general.
In Canada, the number of people skiing increased by 69% between 2010 and 2018, according to the Sport Climbing & Mountaineering Canada. This rise in participation is also likely due to increased financial stability and more leisure time in general, as well as better job opportunities. In 2018, Canuckistan had the second highest participation rate in skiing globally, after Switzerland.
These are just some of the trends that the MTTC study has observed. It would be interesting to see how these trends compare to your own ski experiences.