Month: October 2023

Using Google Search data we analysed more than 6,000 ski-related terms to reveal which Canadian cities are the most snowsports obsessed and whether skiing or snowboarding is more popular to each city’s population.

 

Key takeaways/findings

• The most snowsports obsessed cities in Canada are Kelowna (BC), Burnaby (BC) and Vancouver (BC) according to Google search data (on a per capita basis).
• Kelowna ranked no.1 with a snowsports search volume of 545,652 per capita (100,000), 683% higher than the national average.
• The cities which had the lowest interest in snowsports were, Sydney (NS), Okanagan (BC), Windsor (ON), Winnipeg (MB) and Oshawa (ON). Sydney’s search interest per capita was 94% lower than Kelowna.
• Nationally, 68% of searches were for snowboarding, compared to 32% for skiing.
• Kingston (ON) had the highest share of skiing related searches, Saguenay (QC) had the highest share of snowboard related searches.
• British Columbia featured six times in the top 10, making it the most snowsports obsessed province in Canada

 

The most snowsports obsessed Canadian cities according to Google

Looking on a per-capita (per 100,000 people) basis we ranked the 50 largest cities in Canada based on their search interest in snowsports, as well as the split in interest between skiing and snowboarding.

When analysing the latest search data from Google, Kelowna (BC) was crowned the snowsports capital of Canada, ranking number one for searches per capita (545,652).

On a per capita basis, Burnaby (BC) came in second, followed by Vancouver (BC) in third and Coquitlam (BC) in fourth.

When looking at the capital cities of each province, Edmonton (AB) ranked 17th, Victoria (BC) ranked 27th, Winnipeg (MB) ranked 47th,  St. Johns (NL) ranked 33rd, Halifax (NS) ranked 36th, Toronto (ON) ranked 31st, Quebec City (QC) ranked 42st and Regina (SK) ranked 23rd. Fredericton (NB) and Charlottetown (PEI) didn’t feature in the list of the top 50.

 

Skiing vs snowboarding : which is more popular in each city?

The study also looked at the popularity of different snowsports by assessing the percentage of searches related to either skiing or snowboarding. The analysis found that at a national-level, 68% of the search interest was for snowboarding, compared to only 32% for skiing.

At a city level, Kelowna had a relatively similar split to the national average, 64% for snowboarding and 36% for skiing. Saguenay (QC) recorded the strongest skew towards snowboarding, with 94% compared to only 6% skiing. Kingston (ON) on the other hand had the higher share of skiing search at 59% vs 41% snowboarding.

 

How does Canada compare to other countries

We also looked at the same metrics at a national level to see how Canada fared against the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Ireland. Out of the countries, Canada had the highest search volume per capita, 44% higher than the USA. Canada also had the highest share of snowboarding searches compared to skiing.

Snowsports searchers (per capita)

• Canada : 69,687 searches
• USA : 48,248 searches
• Australia : 45,708 searches
• UK : 39,764 searches
• Ireland : 34,872 searches

Split between skiing and snowboarding

• Canada : 32% skiing, 68% snowboarding
• USA : 39% skiing, 61% snowboarding
• Australia : 34% skiing, 66% snowboarding
• UK : 55% skiing, 54% snowboarding
• Ireland : 70% skiing, 30% snowboarding

 

Conclusion

Our study has revealed a remarkable and widespread passion for snowsports throughout Canada, affirming its status as a true winter sports enthusiast’s paradise. From the picturesque Rocky Mountains’ legendary big mountain terrain to the pristine powder and backcountry riding experiences, Canada boasts an unparalleled winter sports landscape. What truly sets Canada apart, however, is not just its stunning natural beauty but also the warmth and hospitality of its people. The combination of world-class skiing and snowboarding opportunities with the genuine friendliness of locals makes it an ideal destination for those seeking to work a winter season.

Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant atmosphere of bustling ski resorts or the serenity of charming mountain towns, Canada offers a diverse range of experiences for snow sports enthusiasts and seasonal workers alike. So, for those seeking adventure, camaraderie, and the chance to immerse themselves in some of the most breathtaking winter landscapes on Earth, Canada unquestionably stands as one of the best places to pursue their dreams. We encourage you to explore the resorts and opportunities for Canada ski jobs, as this country’s passion for snow sports is bound to leave an indelible mark on your winter season adventures.

 

The Methodology

Using Google Data (Keyword Planner) we analysed data for a full 12 months between November 2022 and October 2023.

A seed set of keywords was used to generate a complete list of keywords (6,184) covering a broad cross-section of snowsports terms from ski resorts, activities, brands, athletes and other relevant search queries. This keyword list and associates search volume was then segmented against each of the 50 cities through targeting in the Google platform. The national and 50 cities’ population was sourced from https://www.worldometers.info, using an estimation which is an elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The following cities were not targetable on Google therefore they were not included in this analysis: North York, Scarborough Etobicoke, Ladner, Nepean, Anmore and East York. So the next 7 largest cities were used in their place.

For the ski and snowboard comparative statistics, the total 12 month search volume for “Skiing” or “snowboarding” was worked out as a percentage by totally up the two and dividing by each discipline. 

For the national-level analysis the same process was followed and population estimates data were also collected from https://www.worldometers.info.

 

 

 

Using Google Search data we analysed more than 6,000 ski-related terms to reveal which U.S. states are the most snowsports obsessed and whether skiing or snowboarding is more popular to each state’s population.

 

Key takeaways/findings

• The most snowsports obsessed states in the United States of America are Vermont, Colorado and New Hampshire according to Google search data (on a per capita basis).
• Vermont ranked no.1 with a snowsports search volume of 356,126 per capita (100,000), 638% higher than the national average.
• The states with the lowest interest in snowsports were Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Alabama. Mississippi’s search interest per capita was 97% lower than Vermont.
• Nationally, 61% of searches were for snowboarding, compared to 39% for skiing.
• Vermont also had the highest share of skiing related searches, while California had the highest share of snowboard related searches.
• None of the 3 largest states (California, New York or Florida) featured in the top 10.

 

The most snowsports obsessed U.S. states according to Google

Looking on a per-capita (per 100,000 people) basis we ranked the 50 American states based on their search interest in snowsports, as well as the split in interest between skiing and snowboarding.

When analysing the latest search data from Google, Vermont was crowned the snowsports capital of America, ranking number one for searches per capita (365,126).

On a per capita basis, Colorado came in second, followed by New Hampshire in third and Utah in fourth.

The largest states by population didn’t fare too well in the rankings, with California appearing at 17th, Texas at 44th, Florida at 41st, New York at 16th and Pennsylvania at 22nd.

 

Skiing vs snowboarding : which is more popular in each state?

The study also looked at the popularity of different snowsports by assessing the percentage of searches related to either skiing or snowboarding. The analysis found that at a national-level, 61% of the search interest was for snowboarding, compared to only 39% for skiing.

At a state level, Vermont had a stronger skew towards skiing than the national average, with 52% for skiing and 48% for snowboarding – this was the largest of all states. California had the larger skew towards snowboarding, with 76% compared to only 24% for skiing.

 

How does the USA compare to other countries

As part of the analysis, we also explored how the USA as a nation performed against Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and Ireland. The US ranked bottom of these five countries on a per capita search basis.

Snowsports searchers (per capita)

• Canada : 69,687 searches
• Australia : 45,708 searches
• UK : 39,764 searches
• Ireland : 34,872 searches
• USA : 34,134 searches

Split between skiing and snowboarding

• Canada : 32% skiing, 68% snowboarding
• USA : 39% skiing, 61% snowboarding
• Australia : 34% skiing, 66% snowboarding
• UK : 55% skiing, 54% snowboarding
• Ireland : 70% skiing, 30% snowboarding

 

Conclusion

Our study has uncovered an extraordinary and widespread enthusiasm for snowsports across the United States, confirming its position as a haven for winter sports lovers. From the iconic Rocky Mountains’ expansive slopes to the high quality powder and adventurous backcountry in regions like Colorado and Utah, the U.S. provides a winter sports setting that is one of the world’s best. The mix of top-tier skiing and snowboarding experiences with the warm reception of locals makes it a prime location for those looking to spend a winter season.

Whether you’re attracted to the lively vibe of world-renowned ski resorts or the peacefulness of quaint mountain villages, the U.S. caters to a diverse array of experiences for snow sports lovers and seasonal workers alike. Learn more about ski seasons in the USA and make sure to put it on your ski travel bucket list!

 

The Methodology

Using Google Data (Keyword Planner) we analysed data for a full 12 months between November 2022 and October 2023.

A seed set of keywords was used to generate a complete list of keywords (6,263) covering a broad cross-section of snowsports terms from ski resorts, activities, brands, athletes and other relevant search queries. This keyword list and associates search volume was then segmented against each of the 50 states through targeting in the Google platform. The national and 50 states’ population was sourced from https://www.worldometers.info, using an estimation which is an elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division.

For the ski and snowboard comparative statistics, the total 12 month search volume for “Skiing” or “snowboarding” was worked out as a percentage by totally up the two and dividing by each discipline. 

For the national-level analysis the same process was followed and population estimates data were also collected from https://www.worldometers.info.

 

 

 

We conducted a global study to find the most adventurous countries in the world, based on search volume around adventure sport phrases including skydiving, skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving, mountain biking and more.

Using the latest Google search data, we analysed more than 100 of the most used adventure sport phrases across fourteen disciplines for every country over the past year to reveal which country is the most adventurous.

 

Key findings

• Australia is the world’s most adventurous country
• Out of the fourteen adventure sports analysed, Australia featured in the top 10 for twelve of them, clinched the first position for surfing, hiking, scuba diving, and BMXing.
• Canada was 2nd overall, ranking 1st for snowboarding, 2nd for skiing and 3rd for hiking
• The United States was 3rd overall, coming in 1st place for skydiving, 2nd for hiking and 3rd for surfing and kayaking.
• Finland, New Zealand, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore and Denmark made up the remaining top 10 spots.

 

The top 10 most adventurous countries on the planet

When combining search data for all fourteen adventure sports, Australia boasted the highest per capita search volume, securing the top position and earning the title of the world’s most adventurous country. Canada followed in second place, with the United States rounding out the top three. Finland and Denmark were the only Scandinavian countries to make the top 10, while Singapore stood out as the sole Asian nation on the list.

Here is a map view showing which countries ranked top for each individual outdoor activity or sport.

 

The top 10 countries for each adventure sport

The analysis also examined each sport individually, determining for every sport which countries boasted the highest participation per capita and identifying which country topped the list. Continue reading to see how various countries fared across 14 unique outdoor activities and sports…

 

Kayaking

When looking at Kayaking, France emerged as the clear winner, followed by Canada and the United States.

Geographically, France boasts an impressive mix of mountains and rivers, which naturally boost the popularity of water sports. Both the Rhine River and the Loire River stretch for more than 1,000 kilometres, and the French Alps provide exciting terrain for river-based activities.

 

Hiking

Hiking is one of the most affordable and accessible outdoor activities, an option that nearly every country can offer its population.

Australia was ranked top for this activity, followed by the United States and Canada. Each of these countries is blessed with vast expanses, varied terrain and beautiful national parks, which likely drive the popularity of the activity.

 

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking has seen growth as a sport in recent years. However, according to the data, it is exceptionally popular in Finland, boasting more than twice the per capita search interest of any other country. Australia ranked third, followed by New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

 

Skiing

The original roots of skiing are somewhat hard to confirm, but it is suggested that the very first skis date back to 8000 years BC and were found in Northern China.
However, it was Finland that took the top spot for skiing, followed by Canada and Austria. All three countries boast world-class ski resorts, so it’s only natural for the local population to fully embrace the sport. Ireland was the only country to rank in the top 10 despite not having any outdoor ski resorts!

 

Climbing

Despite having a population of only 5.2 million, New Zealand secured the top spot for combined search interest per capita in climbing, abseiling, and bouldering. Australia and Norway followed in second and third places, respectively.

With its impressive mountain ranges, varied terrain, cave systems and volcanoes, New Zealand offers excellent opportunities for climbers year-round. In fact, Queenstown in the South Island is often referred to as the “Adventure Capital of the World”.

 

Surfing

When it comes to surfing, Australia is the undisputed winner, with a per capita search interest that’s 38% higher than New Zealand, which came in second place, and 204% higher than the United States, which ranked third. The island nation of Australia is home to some of the world’s best beaches (such as Bondi and Coogee) and coastal lifestyle is synonymous with surfing!

 

Skateboarding

Sweden is the skateboarding epicentre of the world, closely followed by Australia, with the Czech Republic in third place. Sweden has long been recognised as a skateboarding hub, underscored by the opening of the world’s first high school built around a skate park in Malmö a few years ago. With skateboarding introduced as an Olympic sport in 2020, its global popularity is set to grow even further.

 

Parkour

In recent years, the sport of Parkour has seen rapid growth. It’s best described as the practice of navigating obstacles in a man-made or natural environment using movements like running, vaulting, jumping, climbing, and rolling. The aim is to reach the destination as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Scandinavian countries comprised four of the top five spots, with Finland once again securing the top position overall for the sport.

 

Snowboarding

Snowboarding, another popular winter sport, exhibited a different top 10 composition compared to skiing. Canada clinched the top spot for snowboarding after securing the second position in skiing. Norway and Switzerland, both nations with robust ski industries, followed in second and third places, respectively.

 

Skydiving

Skydiving, an extreme sport, was the sole discipline in which the United States secured the top position. Australia and the United Kingdom followed closely in second and third places, respectively. Remarkably, Israel, the only Middle Eastern country on the list, clinched an impressive fifth spot.

 

BMXing

Although BMXing originated in California in the 1970s, it was Australia that ranked number one among all countries analysed – The United States ranking at 9th position. The Czech Republic and Poland followed in second and third places, respectively, indicating a clear trend in Eastern Europe.

 

Bungee Jumping

In November 1988, the world’s first commercial bungee (or bungy) operation opened at the Kawarau Bridge in New Zealand. Therefore, it’s only fitting that New Zealand claimed the top spot for this adventure activity. Hong Kong, home to the second-largest bungee jump at the Macau Tower, secured second place, followed by Finland.

 

Scuba Diving

While history indicates that diving dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, it wasn’t until 1926 in France that Yves le Prieur introduced the first S.C.U.B.A. — or Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Despite this European origin, Australia tops the global rankings for this water-based activity, followed closely by Singapore and New Zealand.

The Great Barrier Reef, situated on Australia’s eastern coast, is the world’s largest coral reef system. It boasts over 2,900 individual reefs and spans 900 islands across an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres. To the west of Australia, the Ningaloo Reef’s popularity has surged due to its vibrant and diverse ecosystem.

 

Waterskiing

The final outdoor activity analysed in this research was a combination of waterskiing and wakeboarding. Waterskiing was invented by two brothers, Ralph and Ben Samuelson, in the summer of 1922 in the United States. On the other hand, wakeboarding emerged much later, in the 1980s. Both sports can be experienced using a cable system or a motorboat.

The Netherlands took the top spot among countries for these sports, with Australia following in second and Singapore in third. Interestingly, the United States didn’t make the top 10, despite its foundational role in the sport’s inception.

 

The Methodology

Google search data (searching all languages) was used to establish the annual search volume (August 2022 to August 2023) in each country for adventure sport phrases across fourteen disciplines. 

For each of the fourteen activities analysed, Google Keyword Planner was used to identify the 10 most searched phrases for each sport. The fourteen sports included skiing, snowboarding, surfing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, bungee jumping, skateboarding, BMXing, scuba diving, skydiving, parkour and waterskiing.

Only search phases which were generic in nature were selected. These are ones which are not relevant to a particular location, therefore less influenced by unique local demand. For example, for skiing keywords could include “skiing”, “learn to ski” or “ski resorts”. 

The countries selected to be included in this analysis piece were selected based on the top 50 countries based on GDP estimates from worldometers.info (nominal GDP, 2022). For each of these countries, population estimates were also recorded from worldometers.info (Updated on July 16, 2023 with the latest July 2023-July 2024 estimates from the 2022 U.N. Revision). Russia and Ukraine were excluded from the analysis due to lack of search data available.

The search volume estimates were then used against the population estimates from worldometres.info to provide a per capita search volume per month (to score the rankings).

Using Google Search data we analysed more than 6,000 ski-related terms to reveal which UK cities are the most snowsports obsessed and whether skiing or snowboarding is more popular to each city’s population.

 

Key takeaways/findings

• The most snowsports obsessed cities in the UK are Bournemouth, Newcastle upon Tyne and Cambridge according to Google search data (on a per capita basis).
• Bournemouth ranked no.1 with a snowsports search volume of 118,435 per capita (100,000), 198% higher than the national average.
• The cities which had the lowest interest in snowsports were Sunderland, Nottingham and Coventry. Coventry’s search interest per capita was 92% lower than Bournemouth.
• Nationally, 55% of searches were for skiing, compared to 45% for snowboarding. Belfast had the highest share of skiing related searches, Dundee had the highest share of snowboard related searches.
• Of the top 20, eight cities were based in the South of England and six were in the North of England. Scotland had two features in the top 20, Wales and Northern Ireland had one each.

 

The most snowsports obsessed Canadian cities according to Google

Looking on a per-capita (per 100,000 people) basis we ranked the 60 largest cities in the UK based on their search interest in snowsports, as well as the split in interest between skiing and snowboarding.

When analysing the latest search data from Google, Bournemouth was crowned the snowsports capital of the UK, ranking number one for searches per capita (118,435).

On a per capita basis, Newcastle upon Tyne came in second, followed by Cambridge in third and York in fourth.

When looking at the capital cities of each of the three countries that make up the United Kingdom, London ranked in 17th position and Cardiff in 38th, while Edinburgh made the top 10 coming in at 8th.

 

Skiing vs snowboarding : which is more popular in each city?

The study also looked at the popularity of different snowsports by assessing the percentage of searches related to either skiing or snowboarding. The analysis found that at a national-level, 55% of the search interest was for skiing, compared to 45% for snowboarding.

At a city level, Bournemouth had a relatively similar split to the national average, 52% for skiing and 48% for snowboarding. Belfast recorded the strongest skew towards skiing, with 67% compared to only 33% snowboard. Dundee on the other hand had the higher share of snowboarding search at 63% vs 37% skiing.

 

How does the UK compare to other countries

We also looked at the same metrics at a national level to see how the UK fared against the United States, Canada, Australia and Ireland. Out of the countries, the UK ranked in fourth position above Ireland. The UK and Ireland were the only countries which saw a stronger skew towards skiing.

Snowsports searchers (per capita)

• Canada : 69,687 searches
• USA : 348,248 searches
• Australia : 45,708 searches
• UK : 39,764 searches
• Ireland : 34,872 searches

Split between skiing and snowboarding

• Canada : 32% skiing, 68% snowboarding
• USA : 39% skiing, 61% snowboarding
• Australia : 34% skiing, 66% snowboarding
• UK : 55% skiing, 54% snowboarding
• Ireland : 70% skiing, 30% snowboarding

 

Conclusion

Despite the UK being home to only a small number of ski fields, this study shows the impressive and widespread love for winter sports that British people hold. With well connected airports British ski travellers have easy access to some of the best resort destinations across Austria, Switzerland, France and more. If you’re thinking about heading to a ski resort this winter, why not consider going for the full season and working a season. We encourage you to explore the different types of ski resort jobs that are available.

 

The Methodology

Using Google Data (Keyword Planner) we analysed data for a full 12 months between September 2022 and August 2023.

A seed set of keywords was used to generate a complete list of keywords (6,184) covering a broad cross-section of snowsports terms from ski resorts, activities, brands, athletes and other relevant search queries. This keyword list and associates search volume was then segmented against each of the 50 cities through targeting in the Google platform. The national and 60 cities’ population was sourced from https://www.worldometers.info, using an estimation which is an elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The following cities were not targetable on Google therefore they were not included in this analysis: Islington, City of Westminster, Bexley and Archway. So the next 4 largest cities were used in their place.

For the ski and snowboard comparative statistics, the total 12 month search volume for “Skiing” or “snowboarding” was worked out as a percentage by totally up the two and dividing by each discipline. 

For the national-level analysis the same process was followed and population estimates data were also collected from https://www.worldometers.info.