31 percent of Colorado skiers might skip this season and here's why

Magellan Strategies recently hosted a survey of Coloradan slopegoers in attempt to determine how the ongoing pandemic may impact behavior throughout the upcoming season. Findings were quite interesting.

A key finding of the survey was that 31 percent of Colorado's skiers and snowboarders are considering skipping this season altogether amid coronavirus-related factors. Among those most likely to skip season were respondents on the Front Range (42 percent considering skipping), those 65 and older (39 percent), women 35 to 64 (35 percent), and those that typically ski less than 10 days a season (43 percent). One difference worth noting is that just 27 percent of responding men were considering skipping ski season, compared to 34 percent of women. An even bigger contrast is seen when comparing local populations to Front Rangers. Only 26 percent of ski town locals stated that they were considering skipping ski season compared to 42 percent of those on the Front Range.

Common reasons for wanting to skip the season included concerns that others will not follow safety guidelines, frustrations with reservation systems that are being implemented, and lack of disposable income due to lost hours or a lost job.

While 69 percent of survey participants felt that the new safety-related rules and procedures that have been put in place will protect themselves, family members, and employees, 11 percent of those responding felt that the changes won't help at all. It's also worth noting that while 62 percent of respondents felt that elected officials would make the right decisions when it comes to resort operation, 31 percent did not trust officials to do so.

Regardless of how this ski season shakes out, it's sure to be atypical.

Will you be skipping ski season this year? Let us know in the comments.

See the full survey here.