According to the PMB survey, in alpine skiing 24.7% of Canadian participants in 2002 were between the ages of 12 and 17 years of age, up from 21% in 2001. 20% were between 18 and 24 years of age, up from 17% in 2001. There have also been increases in participation in all age groups over 25 years of age. Participation grew from 12% in 2001 to 20.1% in 2002 among 25-34 year olds. It increased from 10% to 24.6% among 35-49 year olds, from 5% to 8.3% among 50-64 year olds, and 1% to 2.3% among skiers 60-64 years of age.

Unfortunately, adds Chedore, the PMB does not conduct research on Canadians 12 years and younger, so the industry does not have those numbers. “But we do know that our industry must focus on encouraging younger generations to participate. At the Canadian Ski Council we have several initiatives underway that address youth markets,” he says.

In cross-country skiing, the age group with the greatest number of participants is 35-49 year olds, in which 35.8% cross-country ski. The lowest participation levels are in the 12-17 age group in which 5.4% participate.

In snowboarding, 43.7% of participants are 12-17 years of age-the largest percentage of snowboarding participants in Canada. Only 0.6% are aged 65 and older. “Keep in mind,” says Colin Chedore, “the PMB does not provide statistics for participants under 12 years of age, so we do not know from their survey how we are doing in that very important category for snowboarding.”

Gender Profile

Snowboarders tend to be young, single and male (68.3%), with 31.7% of its participants
female. Showing less of a split is cross-country skiing: 51.6% are male and 48.4% are female. There has been a slight increase in participation in alpine skiing by male Canadians, from 57% in 2001 to 58.5% in 2002. Female participation has increased from 41.5% in 2001 to 43% in 2002.

Regional Share

The largest percentage of Canada's alpine skiers, cross-country skiers and snowboarders live in Ontario. In alpine skiing 38% live in Ontario, with Quebec running second at 24%. The largest percentage of Canada's snowboarders also live in Ontario (38%), with Quebec running second at 23.1%. And the largest percentage of Canada's cross-country skiers live in Quebec (34.5%), followed by Ontario at 30.4%.

This is a summary only of statistics released by the CSC. For a detailed list of the Canadian Ski Council's 2002 Fact & Stats, visit www.canadianskicouncil.org.