Spring Break
Snow sports feel hard hit from economy
Many students have seen noticeable increase in cost in their favorite winter pastime
Gail Cole
Issue date: 1/6/09 Section: News
Besides lift ticket prices, students have found that even rental ski and snowboard equipment at resorts has become more expensive and difficult to rent.
"There are more waivers … to sign; there's more loops to jump through to rent now," Katt said and added that he's thinking that this keeps resorts from losing money on damaged rentals.
Students have also noticed that purchasing ski and snowboard equipment has also become more expensive.
"Even for people beginning snowboarding, it's hard for them to go out and get gear … to snowboard," Katt said.
Brian Benson, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, has lately been repairing his snowboard and other outdoor equipment on his own instead of purchasing new items as a way to save money.
"I'm usually pretty quick to replace equipment that's wearing out, but (now) I'm trying to get things just to work," Benson said.
Skiing and snowboarding, often thought of as elite activities, may be losing even their middle class base.
Benson, who went to Mt. Bachelor over break, noticed less skiers and snowboarders who appeared to be middle- and lower-class.
"The people who were there had a little more money," he said.
Gail Cole, senior reporter
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
"There are more waivers … to sign; there's more loops to jump through to rent now," Katt said and added that he's thinking that this keeps resorts from losing money on damaged rentals.
Students have also noticed that purchasing ski and snowboard equipment has also become more expensive.
"Even for people beginning snowboarding, it's hard for them to go out and get gear … to snowboard," Katt said.
Brian Benson, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, has lately been repairing his snowboard and other outdoor equipment on his own instead of purchasing new items as a way to save money.
"I'm usually pretty quick to replace equipment that's wearing out, but (now) I'm trying to get things just to work," Benson said.
Skiing and snowboarding, often thought of as elite activities, may be losing even their middle class base.
Benson, who went to Mt. Bachelor over break, noticed less skiers and snowboarders who appeared to be middle- and lower-class.
"The people who were there had a little more money," he said.
Gail Cole, senior reporter
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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