SAM Magazine—Denver, June 28, 2023—Two individual studies released by Snowsports Industries America (SIA) and Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) show positive gains in snowsports participation, and outdoor sports as a whole.

Snowsports participation increased significantly in non-alpine activities such as winter running and hiking, with 61 percent of survey respondents participating, up from 43 percent in the 2021-22 season, according to SIA’s 2022-23 End of Season Survey. Backcountry alpine touring, including skiing and split-boarding, also saw a large increase, with 30 percent of respondents participating in 2022-23 compared to 17 percent in 2021-22. 

The survey also found that snowboarding participation increased 10 percent, while downhill skiing participation increased 2.2 percent year-over-year. Cross-country skiing continued its upward trend with participation increasing 9.6 percent from the previous year; snowshoeing was up 17 percent, and snow tubing was up 4.5 percent over 2021-22. 

The SIA study notes that a greater share of respondents participated in resort skiing in 2022-23 compared to the 2021-22 season, but respondents skied fewer days this season compared to last. 

Earlier this month, OIA reported in its 2023 Annual Outdoor Participation Trends Report that the outdoor recreation participation base grew 2.3 percent year-over-year to a record 168.1 million participants in 2022. The study shows 80 percent of outdoor activity categories grew in 2022, including large categories like camping and fishing, and smaller categories like sport climbing and skateboarding.

Overall, outdoor recreation saw a record number of participants, and record high participation rates in 2022. The participation rate tracks the number of individuals engaged in an activity as a percent of the total number of people within a demographic cohort. For instance, 55.1 percent of Americans ages 6 and older participated in outdoor recreation last year, up from 48.4 in 2015.

However, similar to the SIA findings, the number of outings per participant declined in 2022, the first downward trend since the pandemic began in 2020, according to the study.

Additionally, the OIA report also found that the new-participant base is becoming more diverse in terms of ethnicity, race, age, and sexual and gender identity. The participation rate for Hispanics, for example, increased from 34 percent in 2015 to 56 percent in 2022, the highest participant growth rate for any single group. 

The participation rate for African Americans increased more than 5 percent in 2022 to 40.7 percent. LGBTQIA+ participants make up 11 percent of the participant base and are the most active of any adult cohort, according to the study.

“Industry growth is dependent on attracting and retaining the ‘core’ and increasingly diverse ‘casual’ participant through innovation, valued sustainability practices and pursuing policies for increasing equitable access to the outdoors for everyone,” said OIA president Kent Ebersole.

The SIA End of Season Survey is conducted online among a panel of active snowsports enthusiasts. Learn more at Snowsports.org 

The 2023 Annual Outdoor Participation Trends Report reflects data gathered during the 2022 calendar year and garnered a total of 18,000 online survey respondents ages six and older. Learn more at OutdoorIndustry.org.

Visit Ski Area Management's website to read the original article.

Greetings Fellow Skiers, Snowboarders, Hikers, and Mountain Bikers! I hope you’re enjoying fun outdoor activities and warm weather at our nearby rivers, lakes, beaches, and mountains. Our annual Summer Lake Party is coming up Saturday, July 22nd, and it’s going to be a blast! Please RSVP so we have enough food for everyone. We also extended registration for our August 4th-6th Whitewater Rafting Weekend, but only until the last seven spots are filled.

It isn’t too early to start planning for the upcoming season’s winter ski trips! Registration opened June 1st and has gotten off to an excellent start. Our Aspen Snowmass trip is 85% filled and condos are already waitlisted. Telluride and Beaver Creek/Vail met trip minimums in the first four weeks. Heavenly is filling in nicely, too. We’re excited the early winter snow forecast looks good for Western resorts, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Virginia. 

Three hundred and eleven members renewed or joined our club for the 2023/24 season! We anticipate continued growth with 500 active members by the end of 2023. Keep an eye on your inbox or check out our website and social media posts for upcoming summer events and activities. Our Club Meetings start back on Wednesday, September 13th at Sugar Creek Brewing.

~ Tom Grayson, Club President

PS - If you have any questions or comments, I welcome your emails at tom@tomgrayson.com.

All past and present CSSC members are invited to our July 22nd Summer Lake Party and are welcome to bring a guest. We’re planning a fun day of grilling, swimming, boating, and games!

What should you bring? Please BYOB. You can bring a dish to share or come empty handed and the club will supply the rest for $5. 

Log into our website as a member to RSVP and view the address. And of course, thank you to Randy for hosting again this year!

Whitewater Rafting Weekend
August 4th-6th

There’s still time to sign up for a weekend of whitewater rafting fun at ACE Adventure Resort in West Virginia! We extended our registration deadline since we have room for seven more people in partially filled cabins. If you’d rather lodge elsewhere (or prefer day trips), you’re welcome to meet us at the resort for Saturday’s rafting adventure instead.

Mountain Biking Thursdays

Bring your bike and join us for a trail ride at the Whitewater Center every Thursday! We were rained out a few times in June, but hopefully the weather will cooperate this month. Wheels up at 6 PM, and we usually grab a beer after the ride, too.

Show Club Pride With New Gear

Shirts, stickers, mugs, and luggage tags — now you can get the club gear you’ve been asking for! This year, graphic designer and past president Mary Christianson came up with a theme (and graphics) with a snowflake QR code. When you hold up a camera to the shirt or tag, it takes you right to the club’s website. It’s a great way to start a conversation and support the club!

For now, there is a limited selection of products, but more are coming. We also plan to incorporate the snowflake design into a pre-ordered wicking athletic T-shirt  — something you all have been asking for — in the fall… so stay tuned!

Questions? Or other ideas for club gear? Contact Mary at mary@christiansondesign.com.

Renew Your Membership

What are some of the benefits of a Charlotte Ski & Snowboard Club annual membership?     

• Save money on lift tickets, ski trips, and rental gear 
• Go on awesome regional and Western ski trips where all the details are planned for you 
• Meet other snow sports enthusiasts at our events and social gatherings  
• Race with us in the Crescent Ski Council race series 

A single membership is only $30 or you can join as a household for $50. If you’re interested in racing, be sure to choose a racing membership bundle.   

2023-2024 Ski Trips

Get excited for our Club Ski Trips and secure your spot today! Click the links for rates, lodging details, and additional information. If you have any questions, please contact a trip leader. 

• Telluride, Colorado (Jan 20-27, 2024) - Epic Resort Pass
• Aspen Snowmass, Colorado (Feb 3-10, 2024) - Ikon Resort Pass 
• Beaver Creek/Vail, Colorado (Feb 24-Mar 2, 2024) - Epic Resort Pass
• Heavenly/Kirkwood, California (Mar 16-23, 2024) - Epic Resort Pass

Greetings Fellow Skiers, Snowboarders, Hikers, and Mountain Bikers! June 1st marks our new season! That means it’s time to renew your membership, especially if you plan on joining us for a ski trip. Registration officially opened for our 2023/2024 Western trips today, but you must be a current club member to sign up. 

Our Committee Chairs have been busy planning our summer events and trips. We have some exciting outdoor activities coming up — kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, a Whitewater Center River Jam, and our annual members lake party. Be sure to sign up for our August whitewater rafting weekend at ACE Resorts in West Virginia by June 30th. 

It’s summer break time, so there are no club meetings until Wednesday, September 13th. Keep an eye on our website (CltSnow.com) and our social media for new activities and social events! I hope to see you at some of them, and we hope you have a great summer!

~ Tom Grayson, Club President

Renew Your Membership

Why should you join our club for the first time or renew your membership? Here are just a few of the benefits:

- Save money on lift tickets, ski trips, and rental gear

- Go on awesome regional and Western ski trips where all the details are planned for you

- Meet other snow sports enthusiasts at our events and social gatherings

- Race with us in the Crescent Ski Council race series  

A single membership is only $30 or you can join as a household for $50. If you’re interested in racing, be sure to choose a racing membership bundle.

Kayaking & Spider Lilies
Saturday, June 3rd

No plans this Saturday? Kayak through the largest colony of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies at Landsford Canal State Park. Join us for a leisurely paddle with beautiful views. 

Whitewater Rafting Trip August 4th-6th

Craving an adrenaline rush? Join us for a weekend of whitewater rafting fun at ACE Adventure Resort in West Virginia! 

Your $345 trip fee covers your 2-night stay in a cozy log cabin, Friday night welcome party, Saturday rafting with a riverside lunch, and Saturday evening cookout.

Mountain Biking Thursdays

Bring your bike and join us for a trail ride at the Whitewater Center every Thursday! Wheels up at 6 PM provided the weather cooperates and trails are open. We usually grab a beer after the ride, too.

Whitewater Center River Jam
Friday, June 9th

Join us for an evening of live music from the Asheville band, Life Like Water. They’ll share a mix of folk and traditional world music at the Whitewater Center River Jam.

2023-2024 Ski Trips

Get excited for our Club Ski Trips! Click the blue links for a sneak peek on rates and lodging details. Sports America’s registration links are live, so you’re welcome to reserve your spot early.  

Registration for 2023 and 2024 Crescent Ski Club Trips opens June 15th.

Committee Volunteers Needed

With your assistance as a committee volunteer, we could organize even more adventures that bring our members together. Interested in learning more about our committees and helping out? 

Email Jace at jgates@certapro.com for information on our trip committee. Contact Tom at tom@tomgrayson.com for more information on our social and events committees. 

Race With Us Next Season

Love a challenge and friendly competition? Consider racing next season against our 18 sister clubs in the Crescent Ski Council Racing Series. All ages and experience levels are welcome, including new skiers and snowboarders. 

Have other questions? Email our Race Director, Greg Brentrup at greg.brentrup@gmail.com or contact our Assistant Race Director, John Gardner at jrgart49@gmail.com. They'd love for you to be part of the team!

Hello Skiers, Snowboarders, Hikers, and Mountain Bikers! April showers bring May flowers, and we have certainly seen our share of rain! Thank you to everyone who voted in our club officer elections and to all our officers who are returning for another year! We closed out April with the Queen's Cup Steeplechase and the Crescent Ski Council Convention at Myrtle Beach. 

We hope you can attend our next Club Meeting at Sugar Creek Brewery on Wednesday, May 10th. It’s the last monthly meeting until September, but we have plenty of summer activities planned. Scroll through our events below and check out CLTsnow.com to see what’s going on. Registration is already open for our Annual Whitewater Rafting Trip at ACE Adventure Resorts. 

Jace, our Trip Chair, has been busy planning next season’s ski trips and will share more details at the May Meeting. Be sure to renew your club membership by June 1st so you can sign up early for trips. If you joined or renewed your membership in April (or May), it will carry over to the new season. 

I hope to see many of you at our events and activities over the next few months and wish everyone a great summer! Please spread the word about our club and share the newsletter with your friends and family, too!

~ Tom Grayson, Club President

Happy Hour & Club Meeting

Wednesday, May 10th

Meet us at the bar at Sugar Creek Brewing around 5:30 pm for drinks. We'll head to the event room at 6:30 pm for our club meeting.

Enjoy light appetizers and a cash bar while we chat about our upcoming events, August whitewater rafting trip, and 2023-2024 ski trips. You can make some plans to hike or bike with other members, too!

Park in the paid lot, but come inside to grab one of our prepaid parking passes to put on your dash. Or there are signs in the bar area with a QR code to register your vehicle with free parking as a brewery patron. 

Mountain Biking Thursdays
May 11th-September 28th

Have fun and enjoy a mountain biking workout at the Whitewater Center. All levels welcome! We'll ride the trails every Thursday (weather permitting) beginning May 11th through September for about 90 minutes. You can also join us for a beer after the ride.

Lake Norman Brewery
Friday, May 19th

Love live music? Come hang out with us at Lake Norman Brewery and enjoy rock covers from the 60s and beyond! You're welcome to bring your own food or order from the Sandwich Express food truck. 

Kayaking & Spider Lilies

Saturday, June 3rd

Join us for a beautiful kayaking experience through the largest colony of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies at Landsford Canal State Park in Catawba, South Carolina! We'll enjoy a leisurely paddle and stop for lunch on the banks.

Whitewater Center River Jam

Friday, June 9th

Join us for an evening of outdoor live music at the Whitewater Center River Jam! You'll experience a mix of folk and traditional world music from the Asheville band, Life Like Water. 

Whitewater Rafting Trip
August 4th-6th

2023 & 2024 Ski Trips

Enjoy friendly competition? Consider racing with us in the Crescent Ski Council Racing Series against our 18 sister clubs next season. We welcome all ages and experience levels, including new skiers and snowboarders. 

Have other questions about our race team? Email our Race Director, Greg Brentrup at greg.brentrup@gmail.com or contact our Assistant Race Director, John Gardner at jrgart49@gmail.com. They'd love to hear from you!