Connecticut Ski Season Trends In Pandemic Mirror National Data

CONNECTICUT — A national snow sports trade group recently released its report on the "season of the pandemic" and national trends showed a successful 2020-21, despite tight restrictions. Connecticut seemed to follow those trends, those in the industry said.

Data from a Snowsports Industries America Consumer Study titled, "Impacts of COVID-19 on Snowsports Consumers 2020-2021" was released this week.

One conclusion in the SIA report was that snow sports enthusiasts made more purchases than expected in the 2020-21 season.

A total of 44 percent said they bought gear. That pattern may have exceeded itself at New England Ski & Scuba in Vernon. The shop had fewer than 30 pairs of skis left late in the season and many of the common boot sizes were sold out as well. The inventory is to be replenished over the summer.

Women's skis were completely sold out at the shop by mid-February with many moms heading back onto the mountains because lodge restrictions prevented them from being spectators.

One anecdote from a mom who came into the shop just before Christmas summed it up. She explained to the staff that she had skied years ago, but stopped when her children were young. With the kids in elementary school and skiing, she said she still just hung out at the lodge.

Fast-forward to 2020-21 ...

"Well ... I can't stay in the lodge with the restrictions. I'm not going to hang outside and freeze and I'm certainly not going to stay in the car and waste gas," the mom said. "So I'm going skiing again."

The then bought boots, skis, poles and accessories.

In the survey, 58 percent said they bought apparel and that led to helmets, pants and jackets being scarce late in the season.

Oh and face coverings sold in droves because they were required for the lift lines.

In the survey, 66 percent said they purchased ski area passes. An example of that was at Mount Southington. Heading into the season, General Manager Jay Dougherty was not shy about saying he was nervous with the lodges essentially closed, people being forced to boot up at their cars and capacity restrictions set for the mountain.

Things quickly worked themselves out. Tailgating made a comeback and season passes quickly sold out.

"Season Pass sales for the 2020-2021 surpassed that of any other season in the company's history," he said. "Due to capacity restrictions we ended up capping the number we sold since no reservations were required with our season pass."

In the survey, 68 percent of the consumers said they are "excited" to participate in snow sports next season.

"There's been a ton of energy around skiing and snowboarding this year and early indications point to a busy 2021/2022 season," Dougherty said. "To date, we've outpaced early season pass by over 50 percent."

Another popular destination for Connecticut families is Catamount, which sits on the New-York Massachusetts border in the Berkshires, not far from the Connecticut state line in Canaan. Catamount president Rich Edwards said sales are at a quick pace as well.

"Pass sales are doing very well," Edwards said.

The report studied the change in snow sports consumer behaviors over the last year due to the coronavirus "situation." Dougherty, Edwards and Wachusett Mountain President Jeff Crowley said throughout the season that one basic "change" was getting back to basics, which essentially meant getting on the trails. Resorts did improvise with things like cabanas as a substitute for the lodges in the cases of catamount and its sister mountain, Berkshire East.

Mount Southington brought in a popular local food truck.

Wachusett tweaked its already extensive patio and deck with outdoor bag cubicles, extended outdoor dining and even NFL-style heated benches.

How well did the season go? One weekend in April was an example. Crowley said he was seriously contemplating closure, but decided to extend the season at Wachusett as a reward for the skiers and snowboarders being so adaptable.

So with about two trails still open under each of the there major lifts, Crowley kit the mountain open. It was a party atmosphere with no complaints and just pure joy. Late in the day, Crowley grinned as he handed one young skier a Polar Orange Dry soft drink (his family also owns Polar).

"This is what it's all about," Crowley said. "People came out this year and made it work. We did what we needed to do and I think we had a pretty good season. And I think everyone pitched in."