Industry News
The classic question of how many pairs of skis do you really need to own will probably never be answered because so many people have different opinions. There are many factors that affect the answer to that question, and it really comes down to the individual. For those who ski 100-plus days a season and travel to different regions, the number of skis they own may be higher. Skiers and snowboarders, considered recreational skiers who may hit the slopes less than five times a season, probably own one pair of skis or board. The average American skier or snowboarder owns about three to five pairs of skis or snowboards based on a combination of data from ski industry surveys and reports, including findings from companies like SnowSports Industries America (SIA).
SnowBrains readers are avid skiers and snowboarders who frequently hit the mountains each season. They are the ones who look forward to getting first tracks every morning and the ones who can’t sleep the night before hitting the slopes after a big snowstorm and hitting fresh powder the next day. In a social media poll, we asked our readers how many pairs of skis or snowboards they own to see where they stood compared to the average skier and snowboarder.
Although SnowBrains readers and followers are die-hard winter enthusiasts, not all of them are professional skiers or riders. To put it into perspective, U.S. Ski Alpine Team skier Mikaela Shiffrin uses up to 80 pairs of skis in a single season. Shiffrin said she might use 30 different skis during summer training; she brought 35 pairs of skis to the 2018 Winter Olympics, brought 60 pairs of skis to the 2022 Winter Olympics, and often travels to competitions with 70 pairs of skis. However, Shiffrin is a professional skier, while the majority of skiers and snowboarders will never ski as much or as hard as she or any other professional skier does.
According to the social media poll, SnowBrains readers own an average of 5.6 pairs of skis or snowboards, which puts them just above the national average of owning three to five pairs of skis. This number can be based on a lot of factors like frequency of use and experience level. There are some skiers and riders who like hitting different terrains and, therefore, need the appropriate skis and boards for those conditions.
There are some people who refuse to ever get rid of an old pair of skis or board as well. Call it nostalgia or just the need for a backup in case a pair of skis or board breaks. One SnowBrains reader said they owned 41 pairs of skis, while some admitted they only owned one pair of skis. Perhaps people do not want to part ways with their favorite childhood pair of skis or snowboard, or maybe they just like collecting them.
Where a skier or snowboarder lives is also a factor in how many pairs of skis or snowboards a person may own. There are some areas in the country that offer multiple skiing options when headed for the mountains. Many skiers and riders are resort skiers. This group primarily only skis inbounds, and one pair of skis may be enough depending on whether they like to hit the park, bumps, or just skiing groomers. Another group of skiers and riders loves to get away from the crowds and hit the backcountry. This group requires a different set of gear and equipment than a resort skier and riders does. However, that does not mean they do not like grabbing some slope time as well. Overall, it depends on the individual’s own preferences.
The all-mountain ski may be a factor in how many skis a person owns. Every ski manufacturer and brand has some form of an all-mountain ski, and most are consistent and reliable. It eliminates the need to bring or own multiple pairs of skis, which is a huge convenience. However, for those who really only ski a certain niche, like moguls, powder, groomers, and off-piste skiing, having a ski specifically designed for those conditions is wise.
Overall, some skiers might have fewer pairs of skis, while others, especially those who are avid winter enthusiasts, may own far more. Asking someone how many pairs of skis or snowboards a person should own is personal. It all depends on the individual skier or rider’s preference and what terrain they like to hit. And most importantly, there are no wrong answers to that question.
We at SnowBrains prefer to have a different pair of skis for every day of the week!
