Lift line for Saddleback Express at PCMR. Photo: Town Lift // Kevin Cody

Rocky Mountain region leads as season pass popularity grows

PARK CITY, Utah — The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) announced preliminary skier visit numbers for the 2023-24 season, totaling 60.4 million visits, marking the fifth-best season on record. Despite a slow start due to unseasonably warm temperatures, the industry showed resilience, making snow in late March and extending after late-season storms.

“Some ski area operators described the season as a roller coaster, and I applaud those same operators for being flexible,” said Kelly Pawlak, NSAA president and CEO. “Skiers are a hardy bunch and responded enthusiastically.”

Visits by Region and Size

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The Rocky Mountain region led the visitation count with 26.7 million skier visits, followed by the Northeast at 12.4 million and the Pacific Southwest at 8.0 million. The Midwest reported 4.8 million visits, experiencing the most significant year-over-year decrease at 26.7%. The Pacific Northwest and Southeast regions each reported 4.2 million visits.

“Despite the regional variations, the passion for skiing remains strong across the country,” Pawlak noted.

Extra-large resorts accounted for 57% of the visits, while small ski areas, which make up 59% of the U.S. ski areas in operation, represented about 13% of the total visits. NSAA measures ski area size by vertical transportation feet per hour (VTF/h).

Snowfall and Season Length

The season saw below-average snowfall, with an average of 158 inches nationally, down from the previous season’s 225 inches. However, the average season length was only seven days shorter than last year. Way to go, snowmaking crews.

Capital Investment and Season Pass Use

The industry invested $754.3 million in capital improvements, focusing on lift infrastructure with 99 new and upgraded lifts installed. This investment is set to continue with nearly $500 million projected for the 2024-25 season, including plans for 71 new and upgraded lifts.

For the fifth consecutive season, season passes remained the preferred access method, accounting for 50% of visits, while day or multi-day lift tickets made up 31%.