Snowsports sector - economic, social and cultural impact: research - technical report

10. Summary Data – Club Survey

Ten clubs responded to the online survey aimed at snowsports clubs who are members of Snowsport Scotland. The data tables below present absolute values as it is good practice not to use percentages when total responses are less than one hundred.

Table 10.1: Where is your club based ( i.e. main address)?

Local authority	Number
Highland	5
Aberdeenshire	3
City of Edinburgh	1
Glasgow City	1

Source: EKOS Club Survey and analysis.

N=10

Table 10.2: What is your club's current total membership?

Number of members	Number of clubs
10 or less	2
Between 11 and 50	3
Between 51 and 100	1
101+	4

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

Clubs provided a number, and this has been coded.

N=10

Table 10.3: How many members does your club currently have by gender? Please leave blank if you do not know.

Gender	Number of members	Average number of members by gender
Female	238	34
Male	340	49
Prefer not to say	-	-

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N= 7 clubs.

Table 10.4: How many members does your club currently have by age group? Please leave blank if you do not know.

Age group	Number of members	Average number of members by age group
15 or under	116	23
16-34	108	22
35-59	253	42
60+	104	21

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N= 6 clubs, total membership = 581.

Clubs provided a number and this has been coded.

Table 10.5: How many members does your club currently have by ethnic group? Please leave blank if you do not know.

Ethnic group		Number of members
White	Scottish, Other British, Irish, Polish, Gypsy/Traveller, Roma, Showman/Showwoman, Other white ethnic group	308
Mixed or multiple ethnic groups	Any mixed or multiple ethnic groups	2
Asian, Scottish Asian or British Asian	Pakistani, Scottish Pakistani or British Pakistani Indian, Scottish Indian or British Indian Bangladeshi, Scottish Bangladeshi or British Bangladeshi Chinese, Scottish Chinese or British Chinese Other	10
African, Scottish African or British African	for example, Nigerian, Somali	-
Caribbean or Black	For example, Scottish Caribbean, Black Scottish	-
Other ethnic group	Arab, Scottish Arab or British Arab, Other e.g. Sikh, Jewish.	-

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N= 5 clubs.

Table 10.6: How many members does your club currently have by disability? Please enter a total (including 0), provide a breakdown if you can, or leave blank if you do not know.

	Number of clubs
Total	3
Deafness or partial hearing loss	-
Blindness or partial sight loss	1
Learning disability or difficulty	2
Physical disability	2
Mental health condition	-
Other condition	-

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

Note: some individuals have more than one disability.

N=5

Table 10.7: How has membership changed, if at all, over the five-year period 2015 to 2019 ( i.e. the time period before COVID-19).

Membership	Number of clubs
It increased a lot	1
It increased a little	5
It remained relatively stable	3
It decreased a little	1
It decreased a lot	-

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N=10

Table 10.8: A. Where has the increase in club membership occurred over this period? B. What has been the main factor?

	A – Number of clubs	B – Number of clubs
More females involved	2
More males involved	1
More children aged 15 or under involved	2	2
More people aged 16-34 involved
More people aged 35-59 involved	3	2
More people aged 60+ involved	1
Not sure/don't know		2

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N=6

A. Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied

Table 10.9: A. Where has the decrease in club membership occurred over this period? B. What has been the main factor?

	A – Number of clubs	B – Number of clubs
Less females involved
Less males involved
Less children aged 15 or under involved
Less people aged 16-34 involved
Less people 35-59 involved	1
Less peopled aged 60+ involved	1
Not sure/don't know		1

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N= 1

A. Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied

Table 10.10: Are there any wider factors that have driven the increase or decrease in club membership between 2015 and 2019?

Membership	Number of clubs
Yes	2
No	2
Not sure/don't know	6

Qualitative feedback highlighted the following: One club was recently newly established, and the increase was driven by this. The other club noted that social media presence has attracted new members.

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N=10

Table 10.11: What, if anything, has been the impact of COVID-19 on club membership – so thinking about membership levels between 2020 and now?

Membership	Number of clubs
It increased a lot	-
It increased a little	-
It remained relatively stable	6
It decreased a little	2
It decreased a lot	2

Can you provide more detail on the impact of the pandemic on club membership?

Wider feedback confirmed that the pandemic had a negative impact on club income. Clubs were unable to operate as usual, activities were suspended, some members "drifted away", and there was less incentive for new members to join. Lockdown restrictions on travel and social distancing also had an impact. Even where membership had been relatively stable, clubs noted that activity was significantly reduced.

Table 10.12: What, if anything, are the main barriers to increasing club membership?

Barriers	Number of clubs
Lack of volunteers	6
Lack of coaches	5
Lack of public awareness	4
Lack of facilities to accommodate more people	3
Other barrier(s)	3
Limited links to schools	1
No barriers	-

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N=9.

Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied. Numbers may total more than 9 as a result.

"Other" includes lack of enthusiasm, access to equipment, and the closure of the funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain Resort.

Table 10.13: What activities and programmes does your club offer/provide?

Activities	Number of clubs
Coaching for skills development	6
Coaching for competition	6
Nordic	6
Snowsports trips – in Scotland	5
Snowsports trips – outwith the UK	5
Coaching	4
Social activities/events	4
Snowsports activities aimed at disadvantaged or under-represented groups	3
Snowsports trips - elsewhere in the UK	2
Non-snowsports related activities	2
Freestyle	1
Active School programmes	1
Learn to ski/snowboard programmes	-
School programmes	-
Other	-

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N=10.

Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied. Numbers may total more than 9 as a result.

Note: Learn to ski may be covered in coaching for skills development.

Table 10.14: Has the range of activities and programmes offered by your club increased, stayed the same or decreased? Think about A) in the five years pre COVID 19 pandemic, and b) since the start of the pandemic?

Activities	A. Period pre-COVID-19	B. Since start of the pandemic
Increased	4	2
Stayed the same	5	3
Decreased	-	4

While the negative impact of the pandemic was reiterated by clubs (e.g. trips cancelled/postponed, knock-on impact of travel restrictions and social distancing guidance, in-person activities such as coaching and schools programmes restricted or stopped for a time), there was some feedback that suggests that some clubs: successfully pivoted some activities online (e.g. group meetings, online coaching tutorials); increased their online presence and engagement (e.g. encouraging members to post videos of their personal training); and explored how they could diversify the offer to be more appealing to new members.

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N=9 (Pre-COVID-19 and Since the start of the pandemic).

Table 10.15: A. Which of the following mountain centres in Scotland does the club use? B. How often in a typical year does the club use each one?

	A. Number of Clubs	B. More than 5 times in a winter season if weather permits	B. 2-5 times per season if weather permits	B. Less than twice per season
Glenshee	1	-	-	1
Cairngorm Mountain	3	1	1	1
Glencoe Mountain Resort	3	1	-	2
Lecht 2090	1	-	1	-
Nevis Range	1	-	-	1
None	5	-	-	-

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N=10

Table 10.16: A. Which of the following artificial slope facilities in Scotland does the club use? B. How often in a typical year does the club use each one?

	A. Number of Clubs that use the facility	B. At least weekly	B. Monthly	B. Every few months	B. Less often than every few months
Aberdeen Snowsports Centre	-
Alford Ski Centre	-
Bearsden Ski and Board Club	-
Firpark Ski Centre	-
Glasgow Ski & Snowboard Centre	1	Not answered
Glenmore Lodge	3	2			1
Huntly Nordic and Outdoors Centre	3	2	1
Loch Insh Outdoor Centre	1				1
Lagganlia Outdoor Centre	-
Midlothian Snowsports Centre, Hillend	1			1
Newmilns Snow and Sports Complex	-
Polmonthill Snowsports Centre	1				1
RM-Condor, Arbroath	1				1
Snow Factor, Glasgow	4				4
None	2

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N=8

Table 10-17: What happened to your club's use of mountain centres and/or artificial slope facilities in Scotland during the pandemic? ( i.e. compared to a typical year)

Activities	Club use of mountain centres	Club use of artificial slopes
Increased	-	1
Stayed the same	1	2
Decreased	4	5

Qualitative feedback was that facilities were closed for a long period of time and then some only opened part of the time. Travel restrictions were also in place.

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N=5 (clubs who use mountain centres) and N=8(clubs who use artificial slopes)

Table 10.18: A) In general terms, what do you think are the main reasons people have for taking part in snowsports activities? B) What do you consider is the main reason?

	A. All reasons	B. Main reason
For enjoyment (e.g. something like to do, enjoy it)	10	6
To improve and maintain physical health and fitness (e.g. overall fitness and stamina, to lose weight, to be more physically active, to have more energy)	7	3
To maintain and improve mental health and wellbeing (e.g. to relax, to unwind, to ease any worry, stress, tension or anxiety)	7	-
To be closer to nature (e.g. to enjoy scenery and wildlife, to have access to nature)	6	-
To spend time with family or friends (e.g. to socialise, to connect with others, to have shared experiences)	5	-
To try or learn something new (e.g. a new recreational activity, improve skills and technique, learn new skills)	3	1
To discover new places (e.g. sightseeing and/or getting to know a new area, cultural interests)	3	-

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N=10

All reasons: Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied. Number may total more than 10 as a result.

Table 10.19: What, if any, are the main barriers to participation in snowsports?

	Number of clubs
Cost of participation	7
Lack of facilities	5
Transport	4
Choice in how to spend leisure/free time	3
Other	3
Time commitments	2
Family commitments	1
Poor/cold weather puts some people off	-
No barriers	-

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

N=10

Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied. Number may total more than 10 as a result.

Table 10.20: Do you have any ideas of ways in which the mountain centres in Scotland could improve and diversify their offer to increase the quality of the offer/experience and improve their financial sustainability?

The main suggestions put forward by clubs for how mountain centres in Scotland could improve and diversify their offer to increase the quality of the offer/experience and improve their financial sustainability are summarised below.

It should be noted that a wide range of points were mentioned, none to any great extent:

• Improve uplift/ lift facilities.
• Expand the offer e.g. mountain biking, Nordic facilities, rollerski.
• Improve roads, transport, and parking.
• Make access to centres more affordable.
• Improve attractiveness of areas surrounding the centres e.g. remove discarded tow machinery, fix broken snow fences, reduce litter, etc.
• Increase promotion and marketing.
• Better management of mountain centres.

Source: EKOS Club Survey.

Table 10.21: Do you have any ideas of ways in which the artificial slope facilities in Scotland could improve and diversify their offer to increase the quality of the offer/experience and improve their financial sustainability?

For artificial slopes, suggested improvements put forward by clubs were as follows:

• Improve maintenance and facilities.
• Offer other activities to increase income e.g. rollerski, cross country.
• Ensure facilities are affordable for people to access.

As above, absolute numbers were small.

Wider feedback from clubs highlighted that many Nordic skiers, ski-tourers, backcountry skiers and ski-mountaineers do not require a commercial snowsports centre to participate in their sport. Further, these clubs said that such provision makes an important contribution to local economies (e.g. food and drink, accommodation) – but there is a perception that this was not always acknowledged or recognised.