Nearly 8 in 10 Brits want to revive old hobbies – and surprise winner tops comeback list

Skiing is set to become one of the biggest travel trends of 2026 as Brits itch to return to once-loved hobbies, with new figures suggesting hitting the slopes is one of the activities people are most keen to take up again.

Research released today (2 February) reveals how 69% of UK adults give up passions as the years roll on – with sport or physical activities among the most commonly given up pastimes (29%).

From carving down the piste to hitting the snow park, one in three survey participants said skiing in particular is often something they step away from.

More than half of those surveyed (56%) said they had only skied once or twice, while nearly one in five (19%) said they haven't skied in years but would like to return.

The majority of participants dropped at least one hobby in early adulthood between the ages of 18 to 34 – but there's a resurgence on the horizon.

Nearly eight in 10 Brits (78%) – both young and old – say they want to return to cherished hobbies.

When asked about skiing specifically, many said they missed how it made them feel.

Almost a quarter (24%) expressed that skiing boosted their confidence, 22% said it made them feel younger and 21% miss being in the mountains.

Others said they enjoyed the sense of freedom skiing gave them (20%) or being active without it feeling like exercise (14%).

The data, commissioned by Crystal Ski Holidays, also explored hurdles that are standing in the way of returning to a former passion.

Among the reasons for holding back on returning to a hobby, 84% said fear was a bigger barrier than ability, while others didn't want to take the plunge because they had no one to join them (38%).

Participants also confessed that juggling family life (28%) was a key factor, while 22% felt "rusty" or a lack of confidence.

Potential for embarrassment was a recurring theme among participants.

Of those surveyed, 38% said they would feel more encouraged to try former hobbies again if they saw more people of their own age involved, while 35% said they would prefer a pressure-free, judgment-free environment.

If these barriers were removed, a whopping 96% of people would give their old hobbies a go.

To encourage former skiers to return to the slopes, the ski tour operator, Crystal Ski Holidays, is launching a nationwide competition to find 'Britain's Rustiest Skier'.

It invites former skiers – whether it's been two or 20 years since they last hit the slopes – to share their story for a chance to win a £3,000 Crystal Ski Holidays voucher.

Entrants are asked to explain why they stopped skiing, what they miss about it and why they're ready to make a comeback, with the winner set to reclaim their run in style.

The competition opened on Monday, 2 February and closes at 23:59 on Saturday, 28 February.

"Life has a habit of getting in the way, but we know that the desire to return to hobbies like skiing never truly disappears," said Scott Britton, head of Crystal Ski Holidays.

"For many people, the real barrier isn't fitness or ability, it's confidence. But once you've learned to ski, those foundations stay with you. Most returning skiers are far more capable than they expect, and feeling supported makes all the difference.

"At Crystal, we know how to help people get back on the slopes with ease – with everything included in one simple package, we take care of every detail so you can focus on rediscovering the mountains and reclaiming your run at your own pace.

"We love being able to reconnect our customers with the slopes, removing the pressure and simply helping them take that first step back on the mountain."