Western Snowboarding

Snowboarders Will Get Older

To me, one of the interesting discrepancies between skiers and snowboarders today is age. Virtually anyone I see on the slopes over 50 or 60 (and that’s many, many people) is on skis. I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s not as common to see someone in that age range on a board. But as this article reminded me, that’s gonna change.

The change will obviously take place over a couple of decades, but let’s face it: we’re not getting any younger, and a whole generation of older snowboarders will soon emerge. Soon, it will no longer be an anomaly to see someone 40, 50 or 60 on a board, and they won’t get looked at quizically. When I’m 40, 50 and hopefully 60, I still plan to ride. I don’t plan to give in to skis. And I bet many of you feel the same way.

Interestingly, the snowboarding market - equipment, clothing, accessories and otherwise - is still really youth-oriented. I’m somewhat surprised that more companies and websites aren’t targeting the slightly older segments of this market (surely there’s plenty of riders already pushing 40?), or preparing for the onslaught of riders in their 50s and 60s. I suppose we’re not ‘there’ yet, and the article argues all snowboarders of all ages want the same things regardless of age. I’m not so sure this second point is true. By the time I hit 40, I don’t think baggy clothes, iPods and the Bad Lieutenant will be for me. But what does that mean for the market? Hrm. Maybe it doesn’t mean anything.

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