Industry News
Each ski season brings new trends. Some fads last and become the norm, while others don’t. The 2024-25 ski season was no different. Some of the trends from last season included new fashion and style, behavior and etiquette, shifts in ski culture, and safety concerns. There were trends that were funny and some that were annoying. It is fun to look back on the previous season and check out what happened on the slopes.
In an online poll, Snowbrains asked readers what ski/snowboard trend they noticed this past season. Top answers ranged from the comeback of the onesie to rude skiers or snowboarders and people on the slopes trying to be influencers. Four categories were mentioned the most in the poll: safety concerns, etiquette, ski culture shifts, and fashion. Comments from the poll ranged from “Skiers crashing into snowboarders” to “Snowboarders still not knowing or caring what’s going on behind them.” Whether it was out-of-control skiers or snowboarders or people in the park not hitting features, there were many things about this past season that people observed.
Safety Concerns
No one wants to get injured while skiing or snowboarding on the mountain, and the trend people mentioned most was safety concerns at 30.2%. The poll revealed that people felt they saw more dangerous and aggressive skiers and snowboarders on the mountain last season. Reckless skiing at high speeds, collisions on the slopes, skiers without helmets, and even people skiing while carrying babies were all noted. Apps also played a role in overall safety on the mountain. Apps that track a person’s speed going down the mountain could lead to people straightlining it down the slope. This would raise the threat of collisions on the slopes. A person who was trying to be a social media influencer on the mountain was also mentioned as being a safety concern. There are skiing and snowboarding videos all over social media, and a person trying to imitate those videos or do something that is above their skill level is dangerous.
Etiquette
It doesn’t matter what mountain a person goes to; it seems that there is often someone on every mountain who does not respect others. This is why behavior and etiquette at ski resorts came in second at 28.6% of the poll. Some things mentioned were minor, like people not racking their skis or snowboards and just leaving them on the snow. The lack of respect in lift lines was another trend people saw at ski resorts last season. People talking loudly on their phones, playing loud music on external speakers, and putting gear on in lift lines were all mentioned. While none of these are going to cause immediate danger to anyone in the lift line, people who tend to do these things are often viewed as not very courteous to fellow skiers and snowboarders.
Fashion
Different gear or apparel is released each season, and some fashion trends might even make a comeback. This season, we saw baggy pants, retro sunglasses, one-piece jumpsuits, and helmet hoodies on the slopes. The turtle butt was mentioned in the poll, but it’s been around for a few seasons and may have evolved from a passing trend into a lasting presence on the mountain. Turtle butts were originally designed to protect skiers or snowboarders (primarily children) from hurting their butts when they would crash, and it has started a new fad in the industry during the 2022-23 season. Overall, new fashion trends on the slopes were ranked third with 25.4%.
Ski Culture
Some things stay the same, and other things change. However, according to the poll, ski culture hasn’t changed much. The lowest trend people saw at ski resorts last season was shifts in ski culture, at 15.9%. Skiing and snowboarding are about having a good time and hitting the slopes. However, some people may take having a good time on the mountain a little far. The poll pointed out that excessive drinking and using drugs while skiing or snowboarding were things seen more this past season.
Looking to next season, will people still be wearing onesies, baggy pants, and turtle butts? Or what new fashion will be trending in the ski industry. For some, ski resorts banning external speakers on the mountain next season might be greatly appreciated. The one thing everyone can hope not to see trending next season is reckless skiers and snowboarders on the slopes. If this season taught us anything, it’s that trends may come and go, but the call for safer, more respectful slopes is more than just a passing fad.
