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Skier numbers dropped 5% for winter 2023-24 nationwide

By Jonathan Ingraham May 24, 2024 | updated 1 year ago

Skiing under Lenawee Chair April 1, 2022 at Arapaho Basin Ski Area

A skier wearing a pink tutu jumps underneath the Lenawee chairlift Friday, April 1, 2022 at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.

Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) in Lakewood released its preliminary skier visit numbers for the winter 2023-24 season on Wednesday, reporting a total of 60.4 million skier visits nationwide.

The skier-visits number represents a 5% decline from winter 2022-23’s number (65.4 million); however, it ranks fifth best on record since NSAA tracking began in winter 1978-79. 

Time lapse of snow accumulating at Copper Mountain Resort from a mid-April snow storm that blanketed the Summit County, Colorado ski area with over 18 inches of snow.

Copper Mountain Resort

The number is preliminary, as several ski areas are still open for skiing and riding, but the final number is not expected to be significantly different.

The Rocky Mountain region, which includes Colorado, saw 26.7 million skier visits for the 2023-24 season.

Here’s the breakdown of the other five regions across the nation the NSAA labels: 

  • Northeast (12.4 million), 2nd most visited
  • Pacific Southwest (8.0 million), 3rd most visited
  • Midwest (4.8 million), 4th most visited
  • Pacific Northwest (4.2 million), tie-5th most visited
  • Southeast (4.2 million), tie-5th most visited, with least change year-over-year

While performance remained strong in several regions, all six regions experienced a decline in skier visits against 2022-23 season’s unparalleled numbers.

Visits by ski area size:

  • Extra-large resorts tallied the bulk of skier visits at 57%
  • Small ski areas accounted for 59% of US ski areas in operation, and they tallied approximately 13% of total skier visits

“Some ski area operators described the season as a roller coaster, and I applaud those same operators for being flexible, reopening to take advantage of a late season storm or making snow in late March to squeeze in one more week,” Kelly Pawlak, NSAA president and CEO said. “Skiers are a hardy bunch and responded enthusiastically. The strong skier visits speak volumes to their passion for sliding on snow.”

Skier Bruce Ruff of Golden enjoys some powder skiing under Chair 8 Monday, March 24, 2024 at Loveland Ski Area in Georgetown, Colorado.

Dustin Schaefer/Loveland Ski Area

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Following two consecutive seasons of record visitation, the start of the 2023-24 season began unseasonably warm, leading to a delayed start in many regions of the country.

US ski areas were still able to tally over 60 million visits despite the slow snowpack start, which “indicates the resilience of snowsports among renewed interest in outdoor recreation post-pandemic,” the NSAA said.

Ski areas in operation:

The NSAA’s count of ski areas operating in the U.S. totaled 487 for the past season, an increase of seven ski areas from the season prior. Changes in this number included the reopening of seven ski areas; the founding of one new ski area and the loss of one ski area due to a merger.

Snowfall Historically:

  • Average snowfall at ski areas nationally totaled 158 inches, a departure from the previous season’s 225 inches (a record snowfall year for several ski areas)
  • Two Colorado ski areas eclipsed 400 inches of snowfall: Winter Park (406 inches) and Steamboat (425 inches) 
  • The 10-year average holds at approximately 173 inches 
  • The average length of season was 106 days, a decrease of only seven days from the previous season, a testament to the importance of snowmaking in a below-average snow year

Capital Investment

  • Capital investment for 2023-24 season totaled $754.3 million
  • Lift infrastructure continues to be a focal point for the U.S. industry, with 99 new and upgraded lifts being installed at ski areas this past season
  • The average ski area reinvested $29.20 per skier visit back into the resort
  • The $4 increase over last season’s average signals that ski areas remain laser-focused on improving the guest experience despite reduced visitation
  • Next season’s (2024-25) capital investment is projected to reach nearly $500 million, including plans for 71 new and upgraded lifts

Season pass visitation remained strong:

Season passes remain the primary access product used by skiers and riders for the fifth consecutive season, the NSAA said.

“Season pass holders made up 50% of visits nationally, with standard day or multi-day lift tickets claiming 31% of visits. The balance is claimed by frequency products (showing a 3 ppt increase this season), off-duty employees, complimentary products, etc.”

The NSAA does not report on state-level metrics and some data is still being collected and analyzed for the 2023-24 season.

(Contact Denver Gazette digital producer Jonathan Ingraham at jonathan.ingraham@denvergazette.com or on X at @Skingraham.)

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