Statistics Has the bloom come off the rose of snowboarding? Perhaps. Anecdotal evidence suggests that teenagers and young adults are moving away from snowboarding and towards twin-tip skis. Even so, a substantial number of snow sports enthusiasts are snowboarders, adults continue to ride, and hey, nobody's getting any younger. Here are some interesting statistics that we have gathered from the press and industry sources: In the 2006-07 season there were roughly 55 million "skier visits," each of which represents one person with skis or a snowboard visiting a ski area. 28 percent of ski area visitors were snowboarders. This is slightly down from previous years. Poor weather in snowboard-rich parts of the country during the 2006-07 season may have been to blame. The percentage of snowboarders who are female is on a long-term trend upward. In 2006, it was 27 percent. According to the most recent survey, there are 5.2 million snowboarders of all ages. The percentage of ski area visitors who are snowboarders varies dramatically from well over half (Pacific Northwest, Midwest) to under 15 percent (Aspen). 25 percent of snowboarders are 25 years old or older, meaning that 1.3 million adults 25 or older are snowboarders. The percentage of snow sports enthusiasts who are snowboarders declines with age. The following are the percentages of ski area visitors who are snowboarders: 25-34: 41 percent 35-44: 14 percent 45-54: 6 percent 55-64: 3 percent 65+: 2 percent Conclusion Like good business owners, ski area and ski retailers are paying increasing attention to the snowboarding market. Arguably, snowboarding has been a financial lifeline for some ski areas. The introduction of snowboarding into the snow sports scene has not always gone smoothly, but youthful snowboarders age, and older adults are learning how to ride. While the sport is still dominated by young males, it is also changing as the "grays on trays" population grows. Businesses that see the trends and find a way to appeal to older riders can find that a niche market on its way to becoming a mass market. (This page was revised 5 March 2008. Sources for the numbers on this page as well as more detailed information about snow sports participation are available for purchase through e-mail). Discussion board Have a question about snowboarding? Stop by the GraysOnTrays discussion board to add your comments or questions about snowboarding history and snowboarding for adults. Return to the home page.