The long agony of American ski magazines

After Skiing, Powder and Snow Country magazines, only Ski had managed to survive by the skin of its teeth at newsstands and among its subscribers in America, following several changes in owners or publishers, and trying to show a good face until the established Outside magazine took the publication over this winter. 

Unfortunately that new owner wasn’t apparently able to turn things around. The editorial quality had gone from bad to worst and Outside’s fingers in the fissures of the dike couldn’t stop the hemorrhaging of readers. 

Today, Outside Inc., announced that it will reduce Ski’s print production by 80 percent, just by offering one yearly print issue of the magazine under the name “Annual Winter Gear Guide.” 

This to me is a last ditch effort Outside feels compelled to try before throwing the towel and exiting gracefully its print publication of Ski. 

Further, in a company-wide shift, Outside Inc. is laying off about 15 percent of its workforce, including three Outside magazine editors. Except for its art director Ski’s editorial staff will remain intact, but don’t expect to see that publication last much longer. 

Very soon, our brave new digital world will have finally killed America consumer’s ski publications.