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By Joel Gratz, Founding Meteorologist Posted 6 years ago October 1, 2017

Ski Industry Update Sep 2017

Special thanks to SIA (Snowsports Industries America) and SIA Research Manager Ryan Coombs for providing this behind-the-scenes look at the business behind the snow that we all love.

How many people participated in the US during 2016-2017?

Downhill Ski - 12.6 million

Snowboard - 7.6 million

Cross Country - 5.0 million

Snowshoe - 3.7 million

Telemark - 2.5 million

How many skiers are CORE (9+ times per season)?

Downhill Ski Total - 12.6 million

Only two times per season - 9.4 million or 75%

CORE 9+ times per season - 3.0 million or 24%

How many snowboarders are CORE (9+ times per season)?

Snowboard Total - 7.6 million

Only two times per season - 5.7 million or 75%

CORE 9+ times per season - 1.9 million or 25%

How many days did we ski and ride during 2016/2017?

Total days - 54.7 million

Ski - 39.7 million or 73%

Snowboard - 15.0 million or 27%

What is the piece of gear with the highest margin?

Helmets - 49.5%

What is the piece of gear with the lowest margin?

Snowboard - 33.1%

How much gear was sold during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017?

Skis - 526,000 in 15/16, 625,000 in 16/17 (+19%)

Snowboards - 406,000 in 15/16, 409,000 in 16/17 (+83%)

Alpine boots - 774,000 in 15/16, 709,000 in 16/17 (-9%)

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Keep dreaming of future powder days!

JOEL GRATZ

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About The Author

Joel Gratz

Founding Meteorologist

Joel Gratz is the Founding Meteorologist of OpenSnow and has lived in Boulder, Colorado since 2003. Before moving to Colorado, he spent his childhood as a (not very fast) ski racer in eastern Pennsylvania.

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