In this video, Cheddar explains why some ski resorts are dying.
In the United States, skier visits—an essential metric for the industry—have stagnated and even dipped in recent years. Reports show a shrinking pool of participants, with fewer young people picking up the sport compared to previous generations. Factors such as the high cost of gear, lessons, and lift tickets have made skiing less accessible to middle-class families, while the increasing impacts of climate change have shortened seasons and diminished snow reliability.
Demographic changes also play a significant role in the downturn. Baby boomers, who made up a significant portion of the ski market, are aging out of the sport, and younger generations are gravitating toward less expensive or less logistically demanding activities. Add to that the rise of indoor entertainment options and the challenges of competing for attention in an ever-crowded leisure market, and the future of skiing appears precarious.
“Skiing is the quintessential winter pastime. But recently, the multi-billion dollar industry is in decline. The number of skiers is falling fast and the industry is scrambling to make up the difference. Is this going to be the end of the ski resort?” – Cheddar