SAM Magazine—Cambridge, Vt., Dec. 14, 2021—A newly released study from the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA), and Snow Sports Insights (SSI) shows a continuing shift in buying, working, and travel trends towards midweek outdoor participation, increased travel, and online shopping. 

Midweek participation. With more than 65 percent of the white-collar workforce now working from home at least some of the time and more than 25 percent working from home all of the time, cross country skiers, downhill skiers, and snowboarders are getting outside more during the week. Of the 4,000-plus outdoor enthusiasts surveyed, 47.64 percent say they now venture outside during the week to participate in activities like downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, trail running, fishing, biking, and camping. 47.5 percent say they stick to weekends for outdoor recreation, while 4.86 say they are unsure about when they will get out. 

Travel trends. Despite the pandemic, looser restrictions are encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to travel more. Most say they are very willing to drive to their destinations for outdoor leisure. Of the 59 percent of travelers who indicated they plan to travel 100 miles or more to recreate outdoors this winter, 93.1 percent of downhill skiers and snowboarders said they will drive a personal vehicle to do so, with 93.48 percent of cross country skiers saying the same. The survey indicates that snowsports enthusiasts are less likely to fly this year, with only 18.99 percent of cross country skiers and 26.4 percent of downhill skiers and snowboarders saying they plan to fly to destinations to enjoy the outdoors. 

Shopping behavior. The survey also shed some light on shopping behavior, indicating a trend toward online buying. Cyber Monday sales totals exceeded Black Friday by $1.7 billion. While traffic to brick-and-mortar stores was up 47.5 percent compared to 2020, the pandemic still has buyers shopping from home in earnest. And traffic to retail stores is still down 28.3 percent compared to 2019, with many saying they are ready to buy equipment, but are concerned about supply chain issues and availability. 

Click here to read the full report.

Report compiled by Michael Chait.