Page 23 - 84999_NSAA_W18_web

in the South, including Mississippi (13), Alabama (20), FIGURE 8 Index of Skier Visits Relative
Arkansas (21), Louisiana (23), and Kentucky (24). to Population, by State 2017–18

ABILITY LEVEL

216 386
Breakdown in Visits Shows General Consistency
359 77 582 263
Intermediates and advanced/experts contribute similar 205 201 278
proportions of skier visits, each about 43 percent of the total; 347 330 121 133 137 157 149
206
these figures have been relatively steady for the past decade. 40 33 91 127
113 82 33 66
47
Participants of first time (4 percent) and beginner (10 percent) 79 370 617 63 37 68 73
ability levels contribute 14 percent of total skier visits annually. 36 24 43 123
26 95 37 21 30 28
RESPONSE TRENDS 13 20 32
40 23
Long-Term Increase in First-Time Winter
285 35
Visitors to ‘This Resort’ 35
This proportion of respondents who were visiting the resort
where they were interviewed for the first time in at least five
Note: Skier visits as of winter 2017–18. Population as of July 1, 2017 (per US Census).
winters (or ever) has trended up from 21.6 to 26.6 percent Arizona index is likely understated, due to an absence of data from Arizona ski resorts
in the “Enhanced” database.
over the past 10 years, while the proportion of repeat
visitors has correspondingly trended down, from 78.4 to 48 percent in 2008–09. Helmet usage is highest among
73.4 percent. These patterns are consistent with decreases children aged 17 and under (94.3 percent) and lowest
in average days skied and ability levels noted previously, among young adults aged 18 to 24 (75.6 percent) and
insofar as repeat visitors tend to be more avid participants 25 to 34 (78 percent).
than first-time visitors.
DATA HIGHLIGHTS BY REGION
HELMET USAGE The charts on the following pages illustrate regional

Continued Growth Pattern by Age Group patterns from the National Demographic Study, as well
Though it is obvious to any casual observer that helmet as a handful of intelligence points from the Kottke End
adoption has grown over the past decade, it is important of Season Study. Ski area managers are encouraged to
to document the pattern of helmet usage, particularly review the results within their own region and to under-
by age group (figure 9). Indeed, helmet usage continued stand how those patterns might impact their own
its growth trajectory this season, reaching 82.7 percent operations, marketing, capital investment, and overall
adoption overall, consistent with last year and up from decision making.

FIGURE 9 Helmet Usage by Age 2008–09 to 2017–18

2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18

100% 85.5% 88.2% 90.1% 94.3% 86.7% 86.7%

80% 72.9% 77.7% 79.0% 83.2% 83.7% 74.5% 76.7% 80.5% 78.1% 75.3% 75.6% 71.7% 76.7% 78.0% 71.8% 75.3% 78.7% 80.3% 83.1% 84.4% 72.0% 75.3% 78.6% 80.1% 83.3% 83.0% 72.6% 76.0% 78.7% 80.8% 81.5% 83.7% 83.6% 70.9% 72.6% 77.7% 80.8% 80.2% 83.6% 84.4%
66.8% 60.9% 70.8% 59.0% 69.7% 62.1% 62.0% 69.1% 68.7% 59.0% 66.1% 66.8% 68.7% 56.4% 60.9% 66.6% 58.7% 62.1% 69.1% 58.5% 67.8% 63.1%
Respondents 60% 48.0% 32.5% 42.9% 49.9% 54.1% 40.7% 49.7% 51.6% 48.6% 51.9% 54.7%
56.5%

40%

20%

0%
Overall 17 & under 18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65+
Age

EARLY WINTER 2018 | NSAA JOURNAL | 21