Women’s participation in snow-sports and sense of well-being: a positive psychology approach

Participation in active leisure such as skiing and snowboarding can enhance physical and psychological health throughout life. The purpose of this study was to explore snow-sports participation experiences among women who exhibit a commitment to these sports with a focus on well-being outcomes. Thirteen in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with female skiers and snowboarders. Grounded theory methods were employed where initial open coding was suggestive of the prominence of well-being in the women’s narratives. Subsequent axial and selective coding was guided by Seligman’s five domains of well-being: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment (PERMA). In the process of theoretical elaboration, a model outlining how these five domains manifest among these women is proposed showing how relationships and engagements are particularly prominent. As snow-sports participation continues to decline, especially among women, suggestions are made to increase women’s participation in these sports, with a focus on well-being.