Skier Visits in USA Down by 9 Million Last Season
6th May 2026
Last modified on May 8th, 2026
It follows one of the worst winters for snow in The Rockies and is a drop of 9.1% from the 10-year average. Poor snowfall is to blame. UPDATED
The figures come from the National Ski Areas Association, NSAA, in its preliminary report.
Snowfall trends have long influenced how many people go skiing and snowboarding, and the 2025-26 season was no exception.
Average snowfall across the USA was 112 inches (2.84m) last winter, falling well below the 10-year average of 169 inches (4.29m).
It was the lowest in more than a decade.
Colorado, which has the big name resorts of Vail, Breckenridge & Aspen, had its worst winter on record.
The Colorado Climate Center has said this winter was “the worst year for the Colorado snowpack in recorded history”.
While regions east of the Rockies were near or above average, every Western region fell well below average.
Even so, operating days nationally declined only modestly, despite snowfall totals falling 33% below average.
This reflects continued investment in snowmaking and infrastructure.
“Few seasons demonstrate as clearly as this one how dependent our industry remains on regional weather patterns,” said NSAA President and CEO, Michael Reitzell.
“Challenging conditions across much of the West—including a slow start, rain events, and record March warmth—significantly impacted visitation throughout the season.”
We reported on the poor snow in the western USA on PlanetSKI across the winter:
- Poor snow season for US resorts
- US resorts close early after poor winter
- Parts of US have dreadful start to season but snow is now falling
Some Europeans chose not to go to due to the high cost of lift passes, while others turned their back on skiing in the USA due to President Trump being in the White House.
Here are some comments on the PlanetSKI Facebook page:
Caroline Munro: I don’t know anyone who will travel to the US. I would suggest your government may be a significant contributing factor.
Alan West: Ski pass to a minor US resort with 25km runs is £600 for 5 days on my daughters proposed ski trip. 6 days in the 3 Valleys £350.
Gary Arthurs: I remember skiing Vail in 2006 when you got $2 to the £1. Amazing week for £800, but in the present climate, I’d stay in Europe. Skied Zermatt back in February, and loved it. The journey by train from Zurich is amazing. Not cheap, but hope to head back there next year. I also got chatting with a skier from Canada, and he said it was cheaper to fly all that way then spend a week in Whistler. So that must be really expensive, as Zermatt is not cheap.
Billy Lennox: Is that not the country with the loose cannon of a president??
Paul Axford: Met a family from America skiing in the Aosta Valley at Christmas. They said they saved more than the cost of two of them by skiing Europe rather than the US.
Andy O’Keffe: Poor snow this season and ridiculous lift pass prices.
Paul Carter: Trump is to blame.
Paul Smith: Always fancied the States but not with them lift pass prices and queues.
Pete Johnson: And your lift passes are wayyyyyyyyyy to expensive. Shame, we loved skiing at Winter Park.
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI.
Winter Park, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI.
Good snow in regions east of the Rockies, particularly in the Northeast and Southeast, helped the overall result.
“Strong seasons across the Northeast and Southeast played a critical role in shaping the national picture,” added Reitzell.
“When conditions are favorable, we continue to see strong demand for skiing and snowboarding, which speaks to the enduring appeal of the sport.”
Skiing in the USA. Image © PlanetSKI
NSAA divides the country into six regions for the visitor numbers:
- Rocky Mountain region – 20.1m visits
- Northeast – 12.9m visits
- Midwest – 5.8mvisits
- Pacific Southwest – 5.7mvisits
- Southeast – 4.8m visits
- Pacific Northwest – 3.2m visits
The Northeast and Southeast each delivered their second-best seasons of the past decade, with the Northeast benefiting from an early start and consistent snowfall.
Capital Investment
Capital investment by US ski areas remained strong despite a challenging winter.
Reporting ski areas invested a total of $569.3 million in capital expenditures, including 45 new and 52 upgraded lifts.
On average, responding ski areas reinvested approximately $22.24 per skier visit back into operations.
This continued level of investment underscores the industry’s commitment to long-term improvements, even in more volatile seasons.
Season Passes Holding Strong
Season passes remained the dominant access product at 49% of visits nationally, while daily and multi-day tickets made up 31%.
After several years of rapid growth, season pass usage has begun to stabilise over the past two seasons, signaling a maturing market.
The shift toward a more consistent mix of access products provides greater predictability for ski areas and helps support operations through variable weather conditions.
Industry Outlook
The 2025-26 season highlights both the challenges and resilience of the US ski industry.
While increasing weather variability remains a defining factor, ski areas continue to adapt through investments in infrastructure, snowmaking, and guest experience.
In a year with below-average snowfall, the industry demonstrated its ability to maintain operations, sustain demand, and position itself for future growth.
Beyond visitation, the ski industry plays a critical role in mountain and rural economies across the country.
Ski areas support thousands of jobs and drive significant economic activity for local businesses, from lodging and restaurants to retail and transportation.
Seasons with reduced visitation can have meaningful impacts on these communities.
Historical trends show that lower-snow seasons are often followed by stronger years.
“We’ve seen time and again that a lower-snow season is often followed by a strong rebound,” said Reitzell.
“With continued investment, a stable base of participants, and the passion that drives skiers and snowboarders, we’re already looking ahead to next season.”
Ironically there has been some good late season snow in parts of the Rockies with some resorts extending their seasons:
About the National Ski Areas Association
The National Ski Areas Association is a non-profit trade association serving the interests of ski/snowboard area owners and operators in the United States.
NSAA’s mission is to support its members in their pursuit to operate thriving and sustainable businesses while delivering exceptional experiences.
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