How many ski days do you hope to log this season?
Are you wondering how many ski days you should target this winter? Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-time powder hound, setting a realistic goal can make your season more enjoyable. In a recent Facebook post from Unofficial Networks, skiers shared their ambitious (and sometimes humorous) targets for the upcoming ski season. So let’s take a look at the community’s responses, crunch the numbers, and compare them to industry averages. If you’re planning your ski trips and considering ski days pre-season, read on for inspiration, stats, and tips to maximize your time on the slopes.
The Buzz on Unofficial Networks: What’s the Question?
We sparked a lively discussion with our FB post asking skiers about their desired number of ski days this season. The thread exploded with responses from casual sliders to die-hard locals, revealing a wide range of goals influenced by work, location, weather, and life commitments. With hundreds of comments, it’s a snapshot of our passionate ski community, initiating anticipation of pre-season ski days as well.
Key Highlights from the Comments
Skiers’ goals varied wildly, from humble single-digit targets to triple-digit dreams. Factors like retirement, proximity to resorts, and past injuries played big roles. Here are some standout pull quotes that capture the spirit:
“Retired this year to our ski condo. While still working I averaged about 50 days per season. Now that I’m retired…….shooting for my first 100- day season” – Nick Cirell
“I skied 123 days last season! I usually shoot for 100 minimum.” – Burley Crowe
“Normally I only go a few times a year… So this year I’m Gunnin for at least 3” – Jeffery Farrow
“I dream of 100…..but sadly will be lucky to hit 4-6” – Stephen Agnew
These quotes show the diversity: some aim high post-retirement, while others balance family or travel constraints. Humorous replies like “All of them” or “Never enough” added fun, but many shared practical barriers like poor snow conditions or long drives, all influencing their ski days before the main season begins.
Crunching the Numbers: Average Ski Days from the Community
We analyzed over 150 numerical responses from the thread to calculate key stats. The average ski days aimed for was approximately 56, with a median of 50—meaning half the responders targeted 50 or fewer days. Interestingly, the most common goal (mode) was 100 days, reflecting a dedicated subset chasing that coveted century mark.
- Minimum: 1 day (for those just dipping their toes back in)
- Maximum: 180 days (ambitious full-season chasers)
- Average: 56 days
To visualize the distribution, here’s a simple frequency chart showing how goals clustered:
| Ski Days Range | Number of Responses |
|---|---|
| 1-10 | 18 |
| 11-20 | 12 |
| 21-30 | 17 |
| 31-40 | 13 |
| 41-50 | 17 |
| 51-60 | 12 |
| 61-70 | 10 |
| 71-80 | 6 |
| 81-90 | 1 |
| 91-100 | 21 |
| 101+ | 13 |
This table highlights that while many aim for 30-50 days (realistic for working folks), a passionate group pushes for 100+—often locals or retirees living near resorts like Vail or PCMR. For these enthusiasts, thoughts of ski days before the main season are common.
What Does the Industry Say About Average Ski Days?
Beyond this community thread, broader data paints a similar picture but with lower averages for the general population. According to a Reddit discussion, dedicated skiers often hit 35-40 days per season. A Mountain Hardwear article notes that weekend-only skiers might log around 50 days in a good year. However, Inntopia’s research shows that many overestimate: skiers guessed 15 days but averaged only 8. Pre-season skiing days can contribute to these numbers for those keen on early starts.
For progression, NewSchoolers suggests at least 10-15 days aren’t enough to advance skills significantly. In Utah, locals report anywhere from 5 to 100+ days, depending on lifestyle. A VT Ski + Ride survey pegged their readers’ average at 68.1 days—closer to the Unofficial Networks crowd. Quora users mentioned 40-50 as a solid benchmark for enthusiasts.
Tips to Hit Your Ski Days Goal
To boost your count:
- Buy a season pass: Options like Epic or Ikon make frequent trips affordable.
- Track your days: Apps like Slopes or Trace Snow help log progress.
- Plan for weather: Flexible scheduling around storms can add quality days.
- Half-days count: As Ski Utah advocates, shorter sessions still build skills and fun. Of course, some find even pre-season ski days beneficial for refining techniques.
Whether you’re aiming for 10 or 100, the key is enjoyment over quantity.
Wrapping Up: Set Your Sights on the Slopes
The Unofficial Networks post reminds us that skiing goals are personal—shaped by life stage, location, and sheer love for the sport. With a community average of 56 days, it’s higher than the general 20-50 from industry data, showing this group skews passionate. What’s your target?
