Contact: Troy Hawks
NSAA Communications
(720) 963-4215
thawks@nsaa.org

NSAA Releases 2005 National Demographic Study

LAKEWOOD, Colo., August 19, 2005 — NSAA, in conjunction with research firm RRC Associates of Boulder, Colo., have released the 2005 National Demographic Study. The 36-page report is designed to track the demographic characteristics of skiers and snowboarders nationwide. The results are based on 120,696 surveys conducted this year at participating resorts around the United States.

Among the most prominent trends noted in the study were the continued aging of the visitor base, especially growth in visitors aged 45 and over, and related increases in years of experience in snowsports and to a lesser extent ability levels which reflects the industry’s success at retaining older participants. In addition the demographic data indicates that snowboarding participation has leveled over the past four to five seasons, with continued gains in participation by 18- to 34-year-olds counterbalanced by stabilization and possibly declines in groups under 18.

Another ongoing shift noted this season was an increase in helmet usage, a pattern also observed in previous years. Helmet usage continues to remain most popular among advanced to expert participants as well as with those 15 years old and under, and participants 55 years old and over. A total of 69 of the United States’ 492 operating ski resorts (14. percent) were represented in the study in the 2004/05 season. For more information or to purchase a copy of the Demographic Study visit www.nsaa.org.

 THE NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION, LOCATED IN LAKEWOOD, COLO., IS A TRADE ASSOCIATION FORMED IN 1962 FOR SKI AREA OWNERS AND OPERATORS NATIONWIDE.

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