Topic: Winter Sports (2024)

Winter sports are recreational sporting activities performed on snow or ice. These include both individual as well as team sports such as ice hockey, figure skating, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, speed skating, Alpine skiing, bobsledding and snowmobiling. The main international winter sport event is the Winter Olympic Games.

In the United States, skiing and snowboarding are among the most popular winter sports. On average, the number of skiers in the United States amounted to around 14.94 million and the number of snowboarders comes to around 7.56 million. During the 2019/20 ski season there were 470 ski resorts in operation in the United States with an estimated number of 51.1 million visitors during the 2017/18 season. The state of New York has the highest number of operating ski areas in the United States — 51 as of the 2019/20 season.

Ice hockey is one of the most popular winter sports in North America, particularly in Canada and in some northern states of the United States. In 2020, wholesale sales of ice hockey equipment reached almost 230 million U.S. dollars. As of 2018, there were around 2.45 million ice hockey participants in the United States and in 2020/21 about 454 thousand of these participants were officially registered ice hockey players. The National Hockey League (NHL), comprising of teams from both the United States and Canada, is the biggest professional hockey league in the world, with its total league revenue amounting to around 4.37 billion U.S. dollars in the 2019/20.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Published by Statista Research Department, Jan 10, 2024

Key insights

Number of ski resorts operating in the U.S. 2020/21 462

Topic: Winter Sports (1)

Detailed statistics

United States: number of ski areas operating 2020/21

Estimated number of skier visits in the U.S. 2020/21 59m

Topic: Winter Sports (2)

Detailed statistics

Number of snow sports (skier/snowboard) visits in the United States 2000-2021

Number of ski areas in New Yok 52

Topic: Winter Sports (3)

Detailed statistics

United States number of ski areas operating, per state 2022/23

Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic

TVGlobal TV audience/viewership of Olympic Winter Games 2010-2018
Individual SportsNumber of ski areas in selected European countries 2020-2021, by country
Individual SportsNumber of snow sports (skier/snowboard) visits in the United States 2000-2021

Related topics

Recommended

7
  • National Hockey League (NHL)
  • Sporting goods industry in the U.S.
  • Tourism worldwide
  • Physical Activity
  • Winter sports in the United Kingdom (UK)
  • Winter Olympics 2018

Recommended statistics

Participation

5
  • Premium Statistic Skiing participation in the U.S. 2010-2021
  • Premium Statistic Snowboarding participation in the U.S. 2010-2021
  • Premium Statistic Snowshoeing participation in the U.S. 2010-2021
  • Premium Statistic Alpine skiing participation in U.S. high schools 2010-2022, by gender
  • Premium Statistic Cross country skiing participation in U.S. high schools 2021/2022, by gender

Participation

  • Premium Statistic Skiing participation in the U.S. 2010-2021

    Topic: Winter Sports (7)

    Skiing participation in the U.S. 2010-2021

    Number of skiing participants in the United States from 2010 to 2021 (in millions)

  • Premium Statistic Snowboarding participation in the U.S. 2010-2021

    Topic: Winter Sports (8)

    Snowboarding participation in the U.S. 2010-2021

    Number of snowboarding participants in the United States from 2010 to 2021 (in millions)

  • Premium Statistic Snowshoeing participation in the U.S. 2010-2021

    Topic: Winter Sports (9)

    Snowshoeing participation in the U.S. 2010-2021

    Number of snowshoeing participants in the United States from 2010 to 2021 (in millions)

  • Premium Statistic Alpine skiing participation in U.S. high schools 2010-2022, by gender

    Topic: Winter Sports (10)

    Alpine skiing participation in U.S. high schools 2010-2022, by gender

    Number of participants in high school alpine skiing in the United States from 2010/2011 to 2021/2022, by gender

  • Premium Statistic Cross country skiing participation in U.S. high schools 2021/2022, by gender

    Topic: Winter Sports (11)

    Cross country skiing participation in U.S. high schools 2021/2022, by gender

    Number of participants in high school cross country skiing in the United States from 2010/2011 to 2021/2022, by gender

Ski resorts & areas

5
  • Premium Statistic Wholesale sales of snow sports equipment in the U.S. 2007-2022
  • Premium Statistic United States: number of ski areas operating 2020/21
  • Basic Statistic United States number of ski areas operating, per state 2022/23
  • Basic Statistic Number of snow sports (skier/snowboard) visits in the United States 2000-2021
  • Basic Statistic Number of ski areas in selected European countries 2020-2021, by country

Ski resorts & areas

  • Premium Statistic Wholesale sales of snow sports equipment in the U.S. 2007-2022

    Topic: Winter Sports (12)

    Wholesale sales of snow sports equipment in the U.S. 2007-2022

    Snow sports equipment wholesale sales in the U.S. from 2007 to 2022 (in million U.S. dollars)

  • Premium Statistic United States: number of ski areas operating 2020/21

    Topic: Winter Sports (13)

    United States: number of ski areas operating 2020/21

    Number of ski resorts operating in the U.S. from 1990/91 to 2020/21

  • Basic Statistic United States number of ski areas operating, per state 2022/23

    Topic: Winter Sports (14)

    United States number of ski areas operating, per state 2022/23

    Number of ski areas operating per state in the U.S. during the 2022/23 season

  • Basic Statistic Number of snow sports (skier/snowboard) visits in the United States 2000-2021

    Topic: Winter Sports (15)

    Number of snow sports (skier/snowboard) visits in the United States 2000-2021

    Estimated number of skier/snowboard visits in the U.S. from 2000/01 to 2020/21 (in millions)

  • Basic Statistic Number of ski areas in selected European countries 2020-2021, by country

    Topic: Winter Sports (16)

    Number of ski areas in selected European countries 2020-2021, by country

    Number of ski areas in selected countries in Europe in 2020/21, by country

Ice hockey

10
  • Basic Statistic Countries ranked by number of ice hockey players 2021/22
  • Basic Statistic Countries ranked by number of ice hockey rinks 2021/22
  • Premium Statistic Wholesale sales of ice hockey equipment in the U.S. 2007-2022
  • Premium Statistic Ice hockey participation in the U.S. 2010-2021
  • Basic Statistic Ice hockey players in the United States 2010-2022
  • Premium Statistic Ice hockey participation in U.S. high schools 2010-2022, by gender
  • Basic Statistic Ice hockey rinks in the United States 2013-2022
  • Basic Statistic Ice hockey players in Canada 2010-2022
  • Basic Statistic Ice hockey rinks in Canada 2010-2022
  • Basic Statistic Ice hockey world championships medal count 2023

Ice hockey

  • Basic Statistic Countries ranked by number of ice hockey players 2021/22

    Topic: Winter Sports (17)

    Countries ranked by number of ice hockey players 2021/22

    Countries by number of registered ice hockey players in 2021/22

  • Basic Statistic Countries ranked by number of ice hockey rinks 2021/22

    Topic: Winter Sports (18)

    Countries ranked by number of ice hockey rinks 2021/22

    Countries by number of ice hockey rinks in 2021/22

  • Premium Statistic Wholesale sales of ice hockey equipment in the U.S. 2007-2022

    Topic: Winter Sports (19)

    Wholesale sales of ice hockey equipment in the U.S. 2007-2022

    Ice hockey equipment wholesale sales in the U.S. from 2007 to 2022 (in million U.S. dollars)

  • Premium Statistic Ice hockey participation in the U.S. 2010-2021

    Topic: Winter Sports (20)

    Ice hockey participation in the U.S. 2010-2021

    Number of ice hockey participants in the United States from 2010 to 2021 (in millions)

  • Basic Statistic Ice hockey players in the United States 2010-2022

    Topic: Winter Sports (21)

    Ice hockey players in the United States 2010-2022

    Total number of registered ice hockey players in the United States from 2010/11 to 2020/22

  • Premium Statistic Ice hockey participation in U.S. high schools 2010-2022, by gender

    Topic: Winter Sports (22)

    Ice hockey participation in U.S. high schools 2010-2022, by gender

    Number of participants in high school ice hockey in the United States from 2010/2011 to 2021/2022, by gender

  • Basic Statistic Ice hockey rinks in the United States 2013-2022

    Topic: Winter Sports (23)

    Ice hockey rinks in the United States 2013-2022

    Total number of ice hockey rinks in the United States from 2013/14 to 2021/22

  • Basic Statistic Ice hockey players in Canada 2010-2022

    Topic: Winter Sports (24)

    Ice hockey players in Canada 2010-2022

    Total number of registered ice hockey players in Canada from 2010/11 to 2021/22

  • Basic Statistic Ice hockey rinks in Canada 2010-2022

    Topic: Winter Sports (25)

    Ice hockey rinks in Canada 2010-2022

    Total number of ice hockey rinks in Canada from 2010/11 to 2021/22

  • Basic Statistic Ice hockey world championships medal count 2023

    Topic: Winter Sports (26)

    Ice hockey world championships medal count 2023

    Medal count of the men's ice hockey world championship from 1920 to 2023

Winter Olympic Games

6
  • Basic Statistic Countries with the most Winter Olympic medals 1924-2022
  • Basic Statistic Winter Olympics all-time medal table 1924-2022
  • Basic Statistic Number of participants Winter Olympic Games 1932-2023
  • Basic Statistic Number of participants Winter Olympic Games 1924-2022
  • Basic Statistic Number of events in the Winter Olympic Games 1924-2022
  • Premium Statistic Women's events at the winter Olympics 1994 to 2022

Winter Olympic Games

  • Basic Statistic Countries with the most Winter Olympic medals 1924-2022

    Topic: Winter Sports (27)

    Countries with the most Winter Olympic medals 1924-2022

    Countries with the most medals in the Winter Olympic Games from 1924 to 2022

  • Basic Statistic Winter Olympics all-time medal table 1924-2022

    Topic: Winter Sports (28)

    Winter Olympics all-time medal table 1924-2022

    All-time medal table for the Winter Olympic Games from 1924 to 2022

  • Basic Statistic Number of participants Winter Olympic Games 1932-2023

    Topic: Winter Sports (29)

    Number of participants Winter Olympic Games 1932-2023

    Number of participants/athletes at the Winter Olympic Games from 1924 to 2022

  • Basic Statistic Number of participants Winter Olympic Games 1924-2022

    Topic: Winter Sports (30)

    Number of participants Winter Olympic Games 1924-2022

    Olympic Winter Games number of partcipating athletes from 1924 to 2022, by gender

  • Basic Statistic Number of events in the Winter Olympic Games 1924-2022

    Topic: Winter Sports (31)

    Number of events in the Winter Olympic Games 1924-2022

    Number of events at the Winter Olympic Games from 1924 to 2022

  • Premium Statistic Women's events at the winter Olympics 1994 to 2022

    Topic: Winter Sports (32)

    Women's events at the winter Olympics 1994 to 2022

    Number of women's events* at the Olympic winter games from 1994 to 2022

Further reportsGet the best reports to understand your industry

Get the best reports to understand your industry

  • Winter Sports
  • Winter sports in the United Kingdom (UK)
  • Winter Olympics 2018

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.

Topic: Winter Sports (36)

Topic: Winter Sports (37)

Meredith Alda

Sales Manager– Contact (United States)

Email

support@statista.com

Tel

+1 914 619-5895

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Topic: Winter Sports (38)

Yolanda Mega

Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)

Email

asia.support@statista.com

Tel

+65 6995 6959

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Topic: Winter Sports (39)

Kisara Mizuno

Senior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)

Email

asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Topic: Winter Sports (40)

Lodovica Biagi

Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)

Email

eu.support@statista.com

Tel

+44 (0)20 8189 7000

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Topic: Winter Sports (41)

Carolina Dulin

Group Director - LATAM– Contact (Latin America)

Email

latam@statista.com

Tel

+1 212 419-5774

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Yes, let me download!

...and make my research life easier.

Topic: Winter Sports (2024)

FAQs

What is the main focus of winter sports? ›

The purposes of winter sports vary. People do some purely for fun and recreation. For example, they may ski or snowboard just to enjoy scenery and a trip to the mountains in the winter. They also may enjoy the exercise.

What sports are popular in winter? ›

These include both individual as well as team sports such as ice hockey, figure skating, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, speed skating, Alpine skiing, bobsledding and snowmobiling. The main international winter sport event is the Winter Olympic Games.

What are the tips for winter sports? ›

Practice Winter Sports Safety

Keep in shape and condition muscles before participating in winter activities. Warm up thoroughly before playing or participating. Cold muscles, tendons, and ligaments are vulnerable to injury. Wear appropriate protective gear, including goggles, helmets, gloves and padding.

How will climate change affect winter sports? ›

Second, “higher temperatures are expected to create more opportunities for warm-weather activities (e.g., hiking, camping, water-based recreation) and fewer opportunities for snow-based activities (e.g., skiing, snowmobiling),” which we are already seeing with the ski resorts closing early for the winter season and ...

How many types of winter sports are there? ›

They are: Biathlon, Bobsleigh (Skeleton, Bobsleigh), Curling, Ice Hockey, Luge, Skating (Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Short Track Speed Skating), Ski Mountaineering*, and Skiing (Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing, Snowboard).

Why do people like winter sports? ›

There are some feelings that just transcend words. The feeling of being weightless, the feeling of falling, and the feeling of gliding through fresh powder on a wide open ski run on a beautiful winter day. The great thing about skiing is that it appeals to so many different people.

What is the biggest winter sport? ›

Based on the number of participants, ice hockey is the world's most popular winter team sport, followed by bandy.

What is the easiest winter sport? ›

Sledding is a winter sport activity that does not really require any skill. All you do is enter the sled and let gravity allow you to travel down a hill at a fast rate. Some people prefer to use toboggans, others prefer to use snow tubes. Whichever type of sled you use, it doesn't really matter.

What is the most extreme winter sport? ›

Here are ten extreme winter sports sure to get the adrenaline pumping this season
  • 1 Snow kiting. Snow kiting is a mixture of snowboarding and kitesurfing. ...
  • 2 Snow kayaking. ...
  • 3 Ice diving. ...
  • 4 Ice climbing. ...
  • 5 Shovel racing. ...
  • 6 Snocross. ...
  • 7 Ski biking. ...
  • 8 Ice surfing.
Nov 14, 2019

How popular are winter sports? ›

Skiing and snowboarding are very popular winter sports in the United States. The average number of skiers in the United States is around 14.94 million, whereas the number of snowboarders is around 7.56 million.

What is the fastest growing winter sports? ›

The 10 Fastest-Growing Sports in America and Their Participation Increase From 2018 to 2022
  • Winter fat biking: 69.4%
  • Off-course golf: 67.5%
  • Snowboard touring: 59.1%
  • Skateboarding: 38.8%
  • Trail running: 32.4%
  • Tennis: 32.3%
  • Surfing: 28.5%
  • Recreational kayaking: 23.1%
Sep 27, 2023

What sport is in season in winter? ›

Typically, football and soccer are played during the fall season. Basketball, swimming and diving, and hockey are played during the winter. Meanwhile, track and field, baseball and lacrosse are played during the spring.

Does weather affect sports? ›

Extreme weather conditions can significantly impact the quality of play on the field. Heavy rain can make the playing surface slippery, leading to fumbles and incomplete passes. It can also affect a team's ability to execute its game plan, as quarterbacks may struggle to throw accurately in wet conditions.

How does winter weather affect us? ›

Cold Weather Health Risks

Cold weather can put increased stress on our cardiovascular system. Cold temperatures cause your blood vessels to constrict, shallow breathing, and a slight thickening of the blood. These changes can cause chest pain in people with heart disease.

How does the cold affect sports performance? ›

The inhalation of cold air steeply increases the magnitude of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), thus decreasing athletic performance. Regardless of inhaling warm air, cold fascial temperatures can increase EIB, thus causing a parasympathetic nervous reflex.

What is the main focus of sports? ›

Unique in ancient Greece for its social system and constitution, Spartan society was completely focused on military training and excellence.

What is the purpose of winter? ›

Winter plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. It allows certain plants and animals to enter dormancy, which is essential for their life cycles. Winter also contributes to water resource management by storing precipitation as snow, releasing it gradually during warmer seasons.

What is the purpose of Winter Olympics? ›

Winter Olympics is the premier competition for sports that are played on ice or snow. It is held every four years and features participants from across the world. Ice skating, ice hockey, skiing and figure skating are some of the popular sports that are played at the Winter Games.

What is the most popular winter activity? ›

Top 10 Winter Sports in the World
  • #8. Bobsled.
  • #7. Nordic Combined.
  • #6. Slopestyle Snowboarding.
  • #5. Ski Jumping.
  • #4. Ice Hockey.
  • #3. Figure Skating.
  • #2. Alpine Skiing.
  • #1. Alpine Snowboarding.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 6202

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.