Nordic skiing is among the fastest growing in popularity outdoor activities in the United States, along with stand-up paddling and BMX biking.
These findings are part of the massive Outdoor Recreation Participation Topline Report, just released by the Outdoor Foundation, a US nonprofit.
Nordic skiing has shown a very impressive steady annual growth averaging 13 % during the last 3 years.
In 2016, some 4,640,000 Americans hit the cross country ski trail compared to only 3,400,000 in 2013 – a rather whopping hike of 40.3%!
Notably, the increase in cross country skiing participation is happening against a backdrop of less snowy winters: a recent Scientific American report declares that “55 percent of the stations showed a decrease in winter precipitation falling as snow”, with Oregon, Iowa and New Hampshire being the worst affected
Perhaps, a combination of better trail grooming and the media reporting on the benefits of Nordic skiing is having its effect on the world biggest ski market? We certainly hope so.
TOP PHOTO: courtesy of Birkie.com
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