According to NSAA (National Ski Areas Association) last season there were 8.4 million active U.S. skiers and boarders: 6.5 million skiers; 2 million boarders.
The number is significantly lower than reported by SIA (Snowsports Industries America), which, for 2015-16 reported 11.6 million skiers and 7.6 million boarders. NSAA collects its information from a sample of resort skiers. SIA uses other criteria.
What is striking about NSAA’s figures is that those who are 51 and older represent 1.84 million of the total. Our reader surveys show that the majority of you are skiers, not boarders. With some slight (an imprecise) mathematical adjustment, we can assume that older skiers comprise about 27% of the country’s total skier population.
Which brings us to an announcement this week from Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows about its association with a big Chinese skiing-related enterprise. Modern skiing is relatively new in China and is growing briskly as China’s
middle class grows. According to the China Ski Association, referenced in Squaw’s announcement, the number of skiers in China has increased from 200,000 in 2000 to 12.5 million in 2015.
For 2000/01 NSAA reported total U.S. skiers/boarders at 9.3 million. Our numbers are going downhill.
China currently has 93 resorts, compared to 463 in the US during the 2015-16 season. US and Canadian areas, especially those in the West, expect more visitors from China.
Colorado
Eldora Mountain Resort, near Boulder, has a new high speed detachable six-pack. It also will have free Wi-Fi in its day lodges.
Montana
Good news for Big Sky skiers! United Airlines is expanding service to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. In December it will increase by 30% flights and available seats to Bozeman from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Houston and New York/Newark.
Utah
Deer Valley Resort is vying to be named the World’s Best Ski Resort by the World Ski Awards. The group already has named DV the United States’ Best Ski Resort. Voting for the 5th annual World Ski Awards takes place through September 22, 2017 at worldskiawards.com. In addition to public input, votes are cast by ski tourism professionals worldwide.
Vermont
Dutch Hill, ski area of my youth and for many years abandoned, is scheduled to re-open for backcountry skiing.
Other
HBO has a new must watch documentary featuring Carl Reiner and other celebrated people in their 90s (and older). It’s titled, “If You’re Not in The Obit, Eat Breakfast.” It is uplifting and inspiring.
WalletHub, which among other financial services, offers free credit scores and full credit reports, just published its take on the best and worst places to retire. Their analysts compared affordability, quality of life, health care and availability of recreational activities for thecountry’s 150 largest cities. Their #1 pick is Orlando, followed by Tampa, MIami, Scottsdale, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Honolulu, Denver, Austin, and Las Vegas.
WalletHub also compares best and worst. For example, Yonkers, New York, has the fewest property crimes (per 1,000 residents), giving it a score of 10; 9.3 times fewer than Salt Lake City, the city with the most and a score of 93. View the full report and your city’s rank: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-to-retire/6165/
Mountain Collective Pass is currently priced at $469. The price generally climbs as the season approaches. It provides two days at each of 16 big name resorts, most of which are in the US and Canada. Subsequent days are discounted 50%. No blackout days and lots of extra goodies.
