Another interesting thing about that article: One thing I hear a lot is that skiing is dying because no one can afford to do it anymore. That article is basically arguing the opposite.
This is a good discussion.
People who complain about rising day ticket prices probably have a point for a given situation. But sometimes they are also the same people who complain about old lifts or crowded lodges.
In terms of people saying that skiing is dying, are you thinking about media reports? Online ski forums? Personal conversations? Regardless of the content or topic, I always consider the source. For instance I don't assume a clinical trial for a new treatment will apply to me until I know the characteristics of the patient population (gender, age, etc.) that was studied.
There was major concern around 2010 that the snowsports industry would not be able to recover from the 2008 recession. The increasing need to invest in snowmaking infrastructure didn't help. Did seem that families with children and young adults seemed to be moving to other outdoor activities. For example, my sense is that indoor rock climbing is a relatively new activity that's good for all ages, easier to reach for most people in metropolitan areas, not weather dependent, and requires less initial investment in gear and/or "tickets." If my daughter hadn't liked skiing, that's probably the activity we would've done more. Can match up well for people who also are interested in outdoor climbing in warm months or mountain biking. I know that's a booming business in the Boston area. My daughter can squeeze in a Friday evening rock climbing session with friends a lot easier than she can get to a ski slope as a busy high school senior. The Raleigh-Durham area has gone from one small commercial climbing gym to four major gyms that are always busy. For that matter, the biggest rock climbing gym I've seen is in SLC.
There were changes made at some ski areas/resorts in recent to encourage people to give skiing or snowboarding a try.
Snow Operating because a successful consulting company helping large and small ski businesses think differently and do better in the long run. Their analyses is one reason more places are trying to get never-evers to sign up for at least three lessons. One lesson is really not enough. Was that done before? Yes. The Taos Ski Week being a prime example. But it was an exception, not common practice. Any major change in thinking takes a few years to have a noticeable impact. As far as I know, all the ski resorts that worked with Snow Operating are doing fine, and many of them have seen growth in the last five years. Certainly true of Snowshoe in WV and Cataloochee in NC.