Epic Pass Sales Down 10% For Next Season

14th June 2026

It follows a very poor season for snow last winter in the western USA with 24% less visitors in The Rockies. NEW

Vail Resorts is putting the fall in sales down to the poor snow last winter, but stress people may just be delaying their purchase.

“Looking back over the past several decades, U.S. ski market data indicates that visitation typically fully recovers following a season with poor conditions if the subsequent season has normal conditions,” said Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz .

“When you look back over 40 years, the prior worst decline in visitation, outside of COVID-related closures for the Rockies, was down 8% in 2012.

“Which illustrates the unprecedented severity of the conditions and the anomaly we just experienced.”

Last winter skier visits in the USA were down by 9m and is a drop of 9.1% from the 10-year average.

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 the National Ski Areas Association President and CEO, Michael Reitzell.

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,” added Michael 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.”

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