Snowsports Industries America (SIA) has released early data from its recently concluded 2024/25 winter sports season, revealing details that may support consumer behavior reports from resort destinations.

An early look at the “2024/25 Season Participation Preview” provides a top-line review of Winter Sports Participation and Engagement across alpine skiing, snowboarding, alpine and snowboard touring, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and winter fat-tire biking during the period.

The data collected by the SIA suggests that while U.S. participants in snow sports activities rose by 2.4 percent season-over-season (s/s), the mix of activities and engagement levels is “evolving,” which the U.S. winter sports trade association said reflects changing interests, the impact of changing weather patterns and consumer behaviors.

The SIA reported the following key participation trend highlights:

  • Alpine Skiing remains the largest segment; however, it posted a modest 1.8 percent decline from last season in the number of unique participants;
  • Snowboarding also dipped slightly, down 1.2 percent s/s;
  • Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing had substantial gains, with X-Country up 5.8 percent s/s and Snowshoeing increasing 5.7 percent s/s;
  • Sledding participation increased 4.4 percent s/s, signaling renewed interest in accessible winter sports; and
  • Alpine Touring (+1.9 percent s/s) continued its upward trend, while Snowboard Touring (-1.3 percent s/s) and Winter Fat Tire Biking (-0.6 percent s/s) saw minor declines.

Engagement | Days on Snow
Despite mixed participation numbers, the average number of days spent per participant on snow increased for most major activities during the 2024/25 season:

  • Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding saw a positive increase in the average number of days on snow compared to the prior season, suggesting a more dedicated core of participants during the period. Cross Country skiers also increased their average days.
  • Alpine Touring and Snowboard Touring had the most significant increase in days per participant, highlighting the growing appeal of less-crowded backcountry experiences.
  • Snowshoeing and Sledding saw declines in average days, which the SIA said indicates these activities may attract more casual or first-time participants.

End of Season 2024/25 Report
SIA said its “End of Season 2024/25 Report” parallels the participation insights for the period. The report provides insights into participation trends, consumer purchasing spending patterns, the impact of weather on participation, and sustainability preferences. It also highlights consumer thoughts on the coming season.

In the report, nearly one-third of respondents surveyed reported buying less gear this past season, mainly because many already had what they needed or found prices too high; however, Apparel reportedly bucked the hardwoods trend, with a large percentage of respondents buying new clothing, outpacing expectations.

The report also suggests that overall excitement remains high, with half of the respondents surveyed planning to take a snowsports-focused vacation next season, and 95 percent report being as excited, or more so, about next winter as they were about this past season.

The SIA noted that while traditional alpine sports face mild headwinds in participation, growth in cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding points to a diversifying base and paints a picture of a resilient and evolving winter outdoor community.

Increased dedication among core participants, combined with a keen interest in sustainable products and travel, suggests the industry is well-positioned to adapt to changing consumer preferences and environmental realities.

Image courtesy Park City Resort/Vail Resorts, Inc.