Icreased popularity of backcountry skiing discussed here
60 years ago, before the advent of ski lifts, ski resorts as we know them today did not exist. As such, only the dedicated participated; in order to ski, people earned their turns.
Modern lift systems made the mountain accessible; the strenuous work of ascending was eliminated, which made skiing a fun activity for the whole family. Skiers no longer wasted time going up the mountain; Days were spent refining technique and exploring different aspects of skiing: skiers went faster on the race course, hit higher jumps and cliffs off-piste, and, eventually, followed the path of snowboarders, trying tricks in the terrain park.
A select group remained dedicated and continued to ski tour. As the mountain became overpopulated with skiers they craved solace. Some continued to ski in the “backcountry” – areas of the mountain not patrolled by the ski patrol, and not made safe by the avalanche squads. Yet this group slowly dwindled as more began to use the lifts. That is, until now.
Marker (a ski bindings company) burst onto the scene with a revolutionary product – a hybrid touring / alpine bindings. Touring had always been inaccessible for the average skier because it required different boots and bindings compared to what was used for on-piste skiing. Marker changed the game by introducing bindings that could be used with regular boots, both on the mountain and in the backcountry. The Duke’s became wildly successful, and other companies began to capitalize – companies like Salomon and Diamir produced their own hybrid bindings, and ski companies such as Rossignol have developed skis aimed at use in the backcountry.
Many ski companies have adapted well to this change in market demand, and have reacted well to the change in technology and consumer interests.