It's quite common in Europe for communities that live near the ski areas or have convenient public transport to them. You see lots of kids racing in the Pyrenee

It's quite common in Europe for communities that live near the ski areas or have convenient public transport to them. You see lots of kids racing in the Pyrenees. Ski areas here often offer discounted season passes for kids and local residents. It's a relatively accessible sport if you live near by. If you don't then it can be expensive (lodging, ski passes and equipment). Japan is similar. It has a large number of ski resorts and they often have low cost lodging nearby. Kids from the local communities learn to ski young.