The ski industry demonstrated extraordinary resilience in its response to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly adapting operations to ensure guest safety and maintain participation levels. Now, the industry faces a critical new challenge: cultivating the next generation of skiers and snowboarders. Engaging youth is no longer optional; it’s essential to the industry's sustainability and growth.

Drawing on extensive research and successful case studies, this report outlines transformative strategies that promise to turn first-time visitors into lifelong enthusiasts. We explore proven methods of creating welcoming, accessible experiences specifically tailored to young beginners, highlighting the critical role of personalized mentorship, milestone recognition, and inclusive marketing. The practices detailed here—from dedicated beginner zones and streamlined rentals to relatable mentorship and celebratory "Aha" moments—are designed not just to introduce young people to the slopes, but to foster deep, lasting connections with the sport.

Subscribe to gain full access and discover how these comprehensive initiatives can be seamlessly implemented to drive renewed growth, ensuring that today's newcomers become tomorrow's passionate skiing and snowboarding advocates.

The recent federal budget cuts targeting NOAA and the National Weather Service pose unprecedented challenges for U.S. ski areas. With the reduction of critical data collection programs—such as the curtailing of high-altitude weather balloon launches—ski areas face significant operational disruptions and increased safety risks. This article deeply explores how these federal funding reductions impact ski resorts across the nation, with particular vulnerability in the volatile weather regions of the Pacific Northwest and the Intermountain West.

The piece identifies how ski resorts currently utilize federal weather forecasts for crucial operational decisions including grooming, snowmaking, avalanche control, and guest communication. It quantifies the potential financial impact of forecast inaccuracies, estimating annual losses between tens of thousands of dollars for small resorts to millions for large destination resorts, totaling tens of millions industry-wide. Additionally, the article outlines immediate and long-term solutions for ski areas to mitigate these impacts, including adopting private forecasting services, forming regional forecasting cooperatives, and investing in localized weather data infrastructure.