Snowsports Industries America (SIA), the US trade association for the winter sports industry, has released its Participation Report for the 2022-23 winter season. The report offers insights into the state of winter sports participation in the U.S. and provides industry stakeholders with key data and trends for all winter sports - skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, fat biking and touring.
The SIA Participation Report provides an annual overview of winter sports participation and demographics, as well as a detailed analysis of each winter sport. It also includes participant demographics, frequency of activity, regional distribution, crossover interests and more, offering valuable insights into winter sports behavior.
This year’s look at the 2022-23 season clearly shows growth in winter sports participation, including an increase in absolute numbers across all ethnic groups. 29.9 million people (nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population ages six and older) participated in a winter sports activity on any number of days. This is a significant increase from previous years, when participation was about 25 million.
In skiing, including alpine, freeskiing, and telemark sports (but not Nordic or ski touring), a 5 percent decline in participation was observed in 2021-22; however, this trend reversed in 2022-23, and participation increased by 2 percent. In absolute terms, increases in participants ranged from +100,000 for snowboard touring to +817,000 for snowboarding.
Other key sections of the report show data around:
- Resurgence of Snowsports: Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, winter sports have experienced a remarkable resurgence. The report showcases a significant increase in participation rates, indicating a strong rebound for the industry.
- Activities Breakdown: Each winter sport – skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, fat biking and touring – is outlined separately, providing critical insights for each unique sport.
- Demographic Shifts: The report dives deep into demographic shifts within the winter sports community, exploring changing trends in age, gender, and ethnicity.
- Regional Insights: The report provides regional breakdowns, offering valuable insights into winter sports participation trends across different geographical areas.
The SIA Participation Report is free to SIA members and available for download through the member portal.
Non-members can also choose a membership that is right for them to gain full access to SIA’s industry-leading insights, reports and tools. For more information, please visit snowsports.org.
