Business concept
Business
concept
The popularity for skiing and snowboarding is rapidly increasing, worldwide. The amount of people who want to actively learn to ski or snowboard is estimated to grow to more than 400 million people in 2022.
Due to warmer winters with less snowfall, the once-traditional skiing season has become shorter over recent years. In countries such as the Netherlands, with zero mountains, plus thousands of people who want to enjoy the fun of skiing, skiers can now focus on their ultimate training routine prior to their visit to the snow-capped mountains of their chosen ski resort.
Therefore, ski clubs with ski training equipment are gaining traction and are becoming increasingly competitive for on-site snow training.
A ski club is not only a sports activity, but also a kind of leisure, fun-filled, recreational activity that also has a great social impact. These clubs are mostly established in a leisure area, just outside the city or town where it is easily accessible from efficient transportation networks.
The final location is most often determined by the target audience you want to attract.
A ski club with an indoor skislope is a profitable and perspective business:
- Indoor skiing is a growth market, thousands of potential customers, very low competition rate from other outdoor activities
- Attractive business proposition for investors, offering a high return with low costs and a stable profit
- Suitable for all ages and levels of skiers & snowboarders, for rehabilitation or adapted winter sports, in all kinds of premises
‘A low investment, high profit business’
What are the benefits for the customer:
- Suitable for everyone, all ages, from beginner to advanced up to racing/competition level
- One lesson on the simulator is equal to a whole day of training on the mountain slopes
- High-level training efficiency, very close to real-life conditions, under full control of experienced instructors to guarantee a safe learning environment
- Adjustments needed in technique can be fine-tuned and applied immediately
- Safe and comfortable training conditions, close to home, wear comfortable workout gear, monitor your performance in the mirrors
- Training facilities whatever the weather
- Alpine skiing on an artificial skislope is great fun
- Psychological relaxation, have a great time with friends, share unforgettable experiences and firsts with others
What is important for the customer:
- To gain or improve ski technique
- Interest in training along with the wide range of possibilities for technique improvement
- Adrenaline and vivid emotions from the progress achieved
Instructors:
Your instructors have the key role of leading a customer, once inside, to optimal customer satisfaction by means of lesson optimization, friendly and helpful communication, dedication and initiating a positive experience that makes the customer want to continue their development process and regularly return for follow-up lessons and practice sessions.
The occupancy rate:
The occupancy rate of the lessons on the simulator usually depends on the capacity and flow of the visitors. The flow of the visitors to each site depends on the location, season, service, marketing and more. Investigate the target audience for your center based on the location zone and duration of the stay in your center.
Location:
Are you situated in an industrial area with easy parking facilities, in a fitness area or a recreational zone? All of these factors play an equally important role when selecting exactly the right location for your center.
Service:
What do you want to offer the customer besides the lessons? A shop, rental service, maintenance of materials, catering, etc.?
The ski simulator can operate very well independently, but it also adds excellent added value in comparison to other outdoor activities.
The average capacity load of a club:
Based on the statistics of Western European clubs, located in cities with a population of more than 150,000 inhabitants, on an average income, situated in the outskirts, part of a mall, in a sports center/area, where no other clubs are available.
However, some of our clients are situated in countries with a warm climate, outside cities, at ski resorts, etc., such as in Malaysia, Australia, Kazakhstan, US (Florida), the UAE and so on, where the Maxxtracks indoor ski-slopes have proven to be successfully efficient.
Average capacity criteria per skislope:
- Opening hours of the club: 08.30 am – 11.30pm
- Operational time:
- High season (5 months) 12 hours per day (100%)
- Mid-season (3 months) 4-5 hours per day (40%)
- Low-season (4 months) 1-2 hours per day (10%)
- Average annual ski-slope capacity: 25-35%
ISB980 – supports 4 adults per hour: simultaneously used by 2 sets of adult trainees (or 3 youngsters) plus 1 instructor or 2 separate sets of adults. Each set alternates between 10 minutes of active slope training and 10 minutes of essential rest.
ISB2000 – supports 6 adults per hour: simultaneously used by 3 sets of adult trainees (or 4 children) plus 1 instructor or 2 separate sets of 3 adults each. Each set alternates between 10 minutes of active slope training and 10 minutes of essential rest.
The optimal occupancy rate of the lessons is when there is a healthy balance between regular lessons (6 adults per hour), more spacious lessons (4 adults per hour) and individual/private lessons (2 adults per hour).
ISB3000 – these slopes are designed on a bespoke basis, in order to adapt to a particular site. This option offers a great solution for an existing building, for example, where the ventilation system/windows/walls/ceiling height, etc. might cause an issue for the two standard sizes.
ISB980 – supports 4 adults per hour: simultaneously used by 2 sets of adult trainees (or 3 youngsters) plus 1 instructor or 2 separate sets of adults. Each set alternates between 10 minutes of active slope training and 10 minutes of essential rest.
ISB2000 – supports 6 adults per hour: simultaneously used by 3 sets of adult trainees (or 4 children) plus 1 instructor or 2 separate sets of 3 adults each. Each set alternates between 10 minutes of active slope training and 10 minutes of essential rest.
The optimal occupancy rate of the lessons is when there is a healthy balance between regular lessons (6 adults per hour), more spacious lessons (4 adults per hour) and individual/private lessons (2 adults per hour).
ISB3000 – these slopes are designed on a bespoke basis, in order to adapt to a particular site. This option offers a great solution for an existing building, for example, where the ventilation system/windows/walls/ceiling height, etc. might cause an issue for the two standard sizes.
Other investments:
The quality of the equipment used during the lessons is an important part of the overall customer satisfaction. Boots, straps, ski poles, skis, snowboards, helmets, etc. can suffer a lot over time due to frequent use.
Also pay sufficient attention to the atmosphere and design of your center. A relaxed and friendly atmosphere, contributes to all-round customer satisfaction. Offering, for example, the possibility of having a drink or a bite to eat, for lunch or a simple snack, during and after the lesson, completes the customer experience of enjoying a relaxed and fun outdoor activity.
Maintenance:
The Maxxtracks ski-slopes are designed to require the minimum of maintenance, approximately only 1 hour per year. The oldest slope we built, back in 1989, is still in use every day. Our specially developed, ‘Maxx-Grass’ surface, consists of dense, hard-wearing fibers, and provides the ultimate ski and snowboard experience that only requires replacement after between 5,000 to 6,000 hours of use.
Clean the ski surface frequently to maintain the optimum sliding capacity while prolonging the durability of the grass.
Create a healthy climate in the ski area with sufficient light, ventilation and fresh air, as this provides a healthy environment for exciting, fun-filled lessons.
Above all this training device is FUN too!!
Skiing causes a large amount of ‘feel good’ chemicals to be released by your brain while you’re sliding down the slopes. Adrenaline and endorphins run high as you negotiate the mountain, making you feel simply fantastic!
In the digital age, we are consumed by being online 24/7, with electronic devices everywhere and increasing social alienation.
If you’re looking for a fun, social way to unwind; skiing might be just the escape you’ve been looking for! The artificial photos on your phone or tablet screen are no match for the breath-taking, crisp mountain views you can capture with your own eyes.
Being out in the mountains, enjoying the fresh air, warm sun, extraordinary views and cold, fresh snow gives you the ultimate feeling of freedom and distracts you from everyday stresses.
Skiing is also a very social sport, it’s perfect for practicing in a group of any size. The benefits of social interaction are plentiful and can greatly improve your mental and physical health.
Being part of a social group can boost confidence and self-esteem, increase quality of life and improve overall brain health.
The fact that skiing is exercise automatically makes it a winner for your mental health. If you want to improve your happiness, we advise you spend as much time on skis as possible!
However…
…There is one big disadvantage:
You might get addicted to skiing or snowboarding!
Activities and service for typical site layout:
Typical lay-out of a ski-slope simulator center with support facilities:
If you want to learn more about facilitating a ski-center, or have any particular questions we can help you with please fill in the form and we will contact you as soon as possible.
