In the upcoming three years, the ski industry will be influenced by numerous environmental forces. I will examine how these forces impact the industry by considering the general and task environments. General environmental forces, such as new technology, play a role in how ski areas are managed. Additionally, as global attention towards environmental sustainability grows, the ski industry is adopting innovative methods to operate ski areas. Examples include utilizing wind energy to power ski lifts and implementing solar power for lighting facilities in the ski area.
With the advancement of technology, there will be more environmentally friendly and efficient methods to power lifts and their surrounding facilities. Additionally, the aging baby-boomers, who have been dedicated participants in the skiing industry, are now finding less time for skiing. These individuals have played a vital role in ensuring the industry’s survival. However, snowboarding has become increasingly popular over the past few decades and may have even saved the ski industry in the early 1990s. Currently, on average, skiers on mountains tend to be over 40 years old; however, in Montana, seventy percent of mountain-goers are snowboarders (Jamison, 2010).
Snowboarding is a popular sport among the younger generation and will contribute to the long-term success of the ski industry, despite economic challenges and a recent recession. The costs associated with equipment, travel, and lift tickets for ski areas make it an exclusive sport that not everyone can afford. A family trip to the mountains for a week can amount to thousands of dollars. Nevertheless, research conducted on Montana ski resorts indicates that skiers continue to pursue their passion despite the national recession.
