NY Times Article: Has Snowboarding Lost Its Edge? - Page 4 - Snowboarding Forum

Treegreen · 01-17-2013, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stupidmop

Additionally only nerds skied in the 90s.

I think the switch is where Poutanen and I disagree. Nerds aren't the only skiers now because you can rock the same snowboarder style.

I'm not sure how to respond to the article because while I do agree that snowboarding has lost a lot of its "rebel cachet," it has simultaneously become way more accessible to the average person. Which is important because that helps the economic side of things, and why it seems really silly to me to worry about what it means to be "core." Especially if we want to see the snowboard industry grow and innovate.

ARSENALFAN · 01-17-2013, 09:19 PM

Ever since I became financially secure (I am 40), I have been pigging out on snowboard gear. For years I couldn't afford it and just stayed away. Now I cannot get enough. Started last year after a 10-11 year hiatus. Bet you I have spent at least 7500 on gear, passes and base lodge food for my daughter and I since January of last year. Pretty much have everything I need now. But if I see a Cobra on sale in February, just might pull the trigger. Its excessive, but it is a passion and I am hopelessly addicted. Have her in a snowboard lesson this Sunday with her girlfriend...there goes another 80 bucks plus 40 on beer and food for the dads. I chose snow instead of hot vacations. That money is my travel budget.

MarshallV82 · 01-17-2013, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightRider2613

Hey Y'all,
Someone sent me a link to the following article from the NYTimes in which the author claims that snowboarding is "losing its edge." I figured I would post and get everybody fired up a little bit before the weekend.

Here is the link:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2013/01/20...nted=all&_r=2&

The general thesis that this guy seems to make (and I fully suspect that he may very well be a gaper), is that the sport is falling off because, I kid you not, riders that started during the boom years of the 90's are now in their 30's and are focusing on families and careers instead of snowboarding.

For me, I say good riddance. I am 31 and I make it to the mountain at least four times/week. What's their excuse? They are too busy to ride because they are giving their boss a rimjob so that they can get the big promotion? If toolbags are focusing on climbing the corporate ladder instead of riding, then they weren't true riders in the first place.

As a rider, I am not at all bothered by the fact that the masses are no longer descending upon the mountain to learn the "new fad" that they saw on the Olympics. Most of them don't make it through the first lesson anyway. I say keep the sport pure, and if it means that less of us are doing it, so be it. Personally, I am not a supporter of the "more the merrier" club. There are already way too many assholes on trails and in terrain parks that have minimal riding skills and fuck it up for those of us that know what the hell we are doing. We keep our renegade edge if the community is small. Those that really want to learn for the right reasons will always find the sport. Those that don't, I say don;t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

So, what does everybody think?

I think I'd rather be a tool-bag and continue climbing the ladder! I always worry about the future, luckily my career allows me to ride 3-4 week now. After climbing the ladder for a miserable 5-10 years I make a 6 figure salary and have way more free time. I don't fault anyone for pursing a career over riding everyday, or riding everyday over a career. Just do what feels good and works for you.

As far the article goes, I think its bullshit. Snowboarding is still very popular and alive. Tourism may have slightly decreased due to state of the economy but it'll pick back up. Summit county is still packed on the weekends, and it brings in a ton of money to keep the mountains going! Us season pass holders don't bring in the big bucks for the resorts.

Sincerely, a sell-out.

BurtonAvenger · 01-17-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarshallV82

As far the article goes, I think its bullshit. Snowboarding is still very popular and alive. Tourism may have slightly decreased due to state of the economy but it'll pick back up. Summit county is still packed on the weekends, and it brings in a ton of money to keep the mountains going! Us season pass holders don't bring in the big bucks for the resorts.

Sincerely, a sell-out.

Summit County isn't hitting the numbers it was just three years ago. The pinch is being felt up here. My building had it's first foreclosure and I got to see a forced eviction by the sheriff this summer.

Businesses that haven't adapted are seeing numbers off by more than 40%.

MarshallV82 · 01-17-2013, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurtonAvenger

Summit County isn't hitting the numbers it was just three years ago. The pinch is being felt up here. My building had it's first foreclosure and I got to see a forced eviction by the sheriff this summer.

Businesses that haven't adapted are seeing numbers off by more than 40%.

Crazy, I figured there was quite a drop but those are some big numbers!

BurtonAvenger · 01-17-2013, 09:53 PM

Back to back bad winters man. Tourism is a bit better than last year but not where it should be for a town like Breck.

JeffreyCH · 01-17-2013, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurtonAvenger

Summit County isn't hitting the numbers it was just three years ago. The pinch is being felt up here. My building had it's first foreclosure and I got to see a forced eviction by the sheriff this summer.

Businesses that haven't adapted are seeing numbers off by more than 40%.

Ouch!! That's some scary numbers. As a small business owner that went through that kind of decline in revenue in 09/10 I know that kind of pain.

IdahoFreshies · 01-18-2013, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarshallV82

I think I'd rather be a tool-bag and continue climbing the ladder! I always worry about the future, luckily my career allows me to ride 3-4 week now. After climbing the ladder for a miserable 5-10 years I make a 6 figure salary and have way more free time. I don't fault anyone for pursing a career over riding everyday, or riding everyday over a career. Just do what feels good and works for you.

As far the article goes, I think its bullshit. Snowboarding is still very popular and alive. Tourism may have slightly decreased due to state of the economy but it'll pick back up. Summit county is still packed on the weekends, and it brings in a ton of money to keep the mountains going! Us season pass holders don't bring in the big bucks for the resorts.

Sincerely, a sell-out.

OI can only hope I can score a career like that, where I have plenty of financial stability and the flexibility to have the free time to enjoy that money.

Jed · 01-18-2013, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoFreshies

OI can only hope I can score a career like that, where I have plenty of financial stability and the flexibility to have the free time to enjoy that money.

You can. Most people can, it's not so much about 'scoring' but just putting in a little (or a lot of) work, with some intelligent decisions and some balls to give things a go.

eelpout · 01-18-2013, 12:10 PM

The economy, increasing prices of lift tickets ($119(!) at Vail), lack of decent snow for the past few seasons (Colorado is what, at less than 60% average snow pack for the season currently). I think this all contributes.

Judging by my nephews and their friends, I think snowboarders tend more toward the budget side of things then their skiing peers too. They'd rather build a ramp in their backyard or do rails at school yard then pay for a ticket to do similar stuff at a resort.

MSN Money had a very similar article today.

01-17-2013, 09:53 PM	#36 (permalink)
BurtonAvenger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mountains Posts: 8,036	Back to back bad winters man. Tourism is a bit better than last year but not where it should be for a town like Breck. __________________ Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!

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01-17-2013, 09:19 PM	#32 (permalink)
ARSENALFAN -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 604	Ever since I became financially secure (I am 40), I have been pigging out on snowboard gear. For years I couldn't afford it and just stayed away. Now I cannot get enough. Started last year after a 10-11 year hiatus. Bet you I have spent at least 7500 on gear, passes and base lodge food for my daughter and I since January of last year. Pretty much have everything I need now. But if I see a Cobra on sale in February, just might pull the trigger. Its excessive, but it is a passion and I am hopelessly addicted. Have her in a snowboard lesson this Sunday with her girlfriend...there goes another 80 bucks plus 40 on beer and food for the dads. I chose snow instead of hot vacations. That money is my travel budget.

01-18-2013, 12:10 PM	#40 (permalink)
eelpout Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 85	The economy, increasing prices of lift tickets ($119(!) at Vail), lack of decent snow for the past few seasons (Colorado is what, at less than 60% average snow pack for the season currently). I think this all contributes. Judging by my nephews and their friends, I think snowboarders tend more toward the budget side of things then their skiing peers too. They'd rather build a ramp in their backyard or do rails at school yard then pay for a ticket to do similar stuff at a resort. MSN Money had a very similar article today.