Cross-Country Skiing • Characteristics and Trends • Trail Design • Marketing Extension Bulletin E-1639 October 1982 60 Cents Gaylan A
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Cross-Country Skiing • Characteristics and Trends • Trail Design • Marketing Extension Bulletin E-1639 October 1982 60 cents Gaylan A. Rasmussen Robert Christie Mill Daniel J. Stynes Bill Deming* Associate Professor; Assistant Professor; Associate Professor; and former graduate student respectively, Department of Park and Recreation Resources, Michigan State University COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Cross-Country Skiing: •Characteristics and Trends by Daniel J. Stynes Demand & Growth comparative advantage over its competitors in the future: Characteristics of Recent national surveys indicate less expensive Cross-Country Skiers that cross-country skiing is one of easier to learn Who are cross-country skiers? In the fastest growing outdoor recrea- physical fitness promoter the past, they were primarily en- tion activities in North America. In better suited for an older popu- vironmentalists and outdoorsmen. 1978 there were approximately lation With the introduction of planned three million cross-country skiers in energy efficient activity trails, waxless skis, and other inno- the United States, about one for promotion, trails, marketing vations the sport has diffused to a every four downhill skiers. The just beginning broader consumer market. North Central region, with suitable • safer Ski tourers are represented in vir- terrain and climate and a substantial Already, we have seen substan- tually all age and income groups. population base, accounts for about tial changes in the character of the College students make up the 4% of all cross country ski activity sport with modern equipment, wax- in the United States. largest subgroup of cross-country less skies, groomed trails, and ex- skiers. Figure 1 presents an age While precise estimates of growth panded availability of facilities. breakdown of cross-country skiers. in this dispersed winter sport are dif- These changes have opened the Generally, cross-country skiers are ficult to make, most experts would sport to a broad market that prom- highly educated, even more so than ree that the current annual growth ises additional growth in the future. downhill skiers. Females are almost te exceeds 25%. Many cross as active in the sport as males. country ski facilities have been Reasons for Cross-Country Growing numbers of families, small doubling their use each year over Skiing children, and older adults have the past five years. While these There are three primary motiva- adopted the sport in recent years. growth rates cannot continue in- tions expressed by cross country Its appeal appears to be broader in definitely, the momentum generated skiers: terms of demographics, than either ensures the sport an important share 1) environmental, nature ap- downhill skiing or snowmobiling. of the winter sports market. preciation, getting away. Growth in cross-country (or nor- 2) physical fitness and exercise. dic) skiing follows closely on the 3) social interaction. heels of snowmobiling and downhill Those switching from downhill skiing, reflecting a general increase skiing often cite the crowding and in outdoor winter sports activity. A expense of downhill skiing as rea- number of factors suggest that sons for taking up cross country ski- cross-country skiing may have a ing. 45% 26% 13% Jfr ercentage of skiers 16 years and older, by age-group Age in years 16-19 20-29 30-39 40+ Expenditures of Winter Recreation Visitor Parties, Per Trip, By Major Recreation $19.00 for snowmobilers. The price Activity, Wisconsin, 1978-79. differences are a result of lower Downhill Cross-Country rental fees and equipment-related^ Snowmobiling Skiing Avg. Skiing Avg. expenses for cross-country skiing. Expenditure Category Avg. Spending Spending Spending Lodging $103.93 $111.22 $102.05 Restaurants & Taverns 91.44 63.74 51.55 Product Life Cycle Food Stores 15.38 12.85 12.06 Liquor Stores 8.54 7.23 5.14 The growth pattern of cross- Souvenirs & Gifts 8.74 7.25 6.03 country skiing resembles historical Gasoline 43.07 27.59 22.80 Auto & Related Expenses 11.68 5.68 3.80 growth in downhill skiing and Snowmobiles 154.79 44.05 2.87 snowmobiling. Most activities or Skis 4.14 17.60 9.31 consumer products exhibit an Other Sporting Goods 4.52 4.69 2.61 S-shaped pattern of growth. They Sporting Goods Rental 2.55 6.01 3.35 tend to start out slowly, enter a Lift Fees, etc. 3.38 39.95 13.85 Clothing 15.97 9.86 5.82 takeoff period of rapid growth, Equipment 8.28 2.16 2.47 begin a maturity phase of growth at Other 2.62 3.09 2.58 a decreasing rate, eventually reach a TOTAL $479.03 $362.97 $246.29 peak, and perhaps begin to decline. Source: Wisconsin Winter Recreation Visitor Survey, Recreation Resources Center, University of The resulting pattern is often termed Wisconsin-Extension, 1979. the product life cycle curve. Comparing cross-country skiing with downhill skiing and snowmo- Participation Patterns Expenditure biling may shed some light on its fu- A general profile of cross-country Patterns-Economic ture. Snowmobile growth was ski participation may be assembled Impact greatest in the early 70's and has from recent studies: since declined in both sales and ac- • The cross-country skier aver- A common stereotype is that tivity. Downhill skiing appears to ages about 13 days of skiing a cross-country skiers do not spend have reached the maturity phase of year. Close-to-home outings much money. While some may fit its growth, possibly nearing the last from two-three hours and this image, it is not typical of the peak. Cross-country skiing is still in cover from two-seven miles of vast majority. the takeoff phase, a period of rapid trail. A recent study of overnight growth. Although the timing and ex • One in three skiers takes a winter visitors in Wisconsin pro- tent of the peak is impossible to cross-country ski vacation each vides comparative data on skiers predict, the sport can be expected to year. This often involves sev- and snowmobilers. Cross-country follow a pattern similar to its pre- eral hours of travel to an over- skiers averaged three nights on decessors. This suggests that night ski resort or area where overnight trips. Traveling in parties growth will continue for a few higher quality and more exten- of four-five people, they spent an years. The sport's characteristics sive trail systems can be found. average of $246 per party. Spending and market makeup may also • 70% of cross country-skiers per person per day was $18.00 for change. cross-country skiers compared to have started within the past $22.00 for downhill skiers and three years. • The cross-country skier is snow-mobiling often active in bicycling, jog- ging, canoeing, and tent camp- down-hill ing. Sixty percent of cross- country skiers also downhill ski. A product life cycle for winter sports S < O DC Cross-Country #Trail Design by Gaylan A. Rasmussen Introduction With a growing demand for cross-country skiing, proper design and layout of cross-country ski courses is essential. Once the decision to provide cross-country skiing is made, a natural sequence should be fol- lowed: 1. Pick the proper location 2. Design the trail 3. Construct the trail 4. Maintain the trail If adequate time and decisions are made in these four areas, the trail will be well-designed. A well-designed and marked trail will provide maximum enjoyment and safety, keep skiers from getting lost, and allow skiers to measure their abilities against the course and tural elements. A well planned ourse should also reduce crowding and minimize impact on the land. Area Selection Suitable landscape and facilities are the most important factor for cross-country ski trails. Some of the A good trail will fulfill a skier's expectations following information sources are available to provide technical in- formation about the suitability of a proposed site. Topographic Maps Zoning Maps Aerial Photographs Topographic maps are used more The local planning commission Aerial photographs can be taken than aerial photographs because should have a map of the present in several ways: black and white, they provide detailed information of land use categories as well as any stereo coverage, infra red, normal site elevations. The unique feature proposed changes (i.e., residential color, etc. While the stereo cover- of topographic maps is the contour. to commercial, commercial to in- age gives a three dimensional view Slope percentages, drainage pat- dustrial, etc.). of a given area, any type of aerial terns, property boundries, high and coverage will help determine gen- low points, and calculations as to Ground and Surface Water eral locations of: cut and fill are found by using the Water is a critical resource when 1. trails, paths, etc. contours. planning a ski trail. Running water 2. roads or spring water will not freeze and 3. utilities, fences, etc. Master Plans and Earlier Studies only frozen water is safe. Also, the 4. vegetation masses and types Information from studies will help length of the season can be deter- 5. streams, rivers, marshes, make decisions on development, mined by thawing temperatures. ponds, lakes, etc. expansion, marketing, site limita- Simple bridges can be used to cross Jf 6. structures tions, etc. The data concerning pro- water drainage areas. Bridges 7. land use practices, i.e. farm- posed use and the ski market should should not be used to cross large ing, wood harvest, etc. be included. areas of surface water. SPBltffilftiCE TRAIL LAKESHORE TRAIL • TWIN CHIMNEYS ^SHELTER .'' i i \\i.,^> An example of master plans and/or trail layoyt SKILL NOVICE INTERMEDIATE EXPERT Land Use Maps Rigid Controls 5. Wider trails are necessary on Plat maps will identify potential The width of a trail depends on turns; especially when they_ land use conflicts.