Beneath the glittering snow and rushing chairlifts lies a trillion-dollar global economic engine, as revealed by the staggering fact that Colorado ski resorts alone generated $4.8 billion in economic output in 2022.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. ski industry contributed $5.2 billion in total economic impact in the 2022/23 season, including direct, indirect, and induced effects.
- Global ski resort market revenue reached $12.4 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 4.2% through 2030.
- Colorado ski resorts generated $4.8 billion in economic output in 2022, supporting 51,000 jobs statewide.
- U.S. ski resorts recorded 59.8 million skier visits in 2022/23 season.
- Vail Resorts saw 17.5 million skier visits in 2022/23, up 5% YoY.
- Europe total skier days reached 220 million in 2022/23 winter.
- U.S. ski industry employed 197,000 workers in 2022/23 season.
- Vail Resorts full/part-time staff totaled 45,000 in 2023.
- Colorado ski resorts supported 51,000 direct and indirect jobs in 2022.
- U.S. resorts total lifts numbered 1,988 in 2023.
- Average vertical drop at U.S. resorts was 1,050 feet in 2023.
- Europe has 34,000 km of groomed ski pistes in 2023.
- Global ski resorts energy use for lifts 5.2 TWh annually.
- U.S. resorts diverted 75% waste from landfills in 2023.
- Vail Resorts achieved 50% renewable energy in 2023 operations.
The global ski industry is booming, generating billions and supporting millions of jobs.
Economic Statistics
- The U.S. ski industry contributed $5.2 billion in total economic impact in the 2022/23 season, including direct, indirect, and induced effects.
- Global ski resort market revenue reached $12.4 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 4.2% through 2030.
- Colorado ski resorts generated $4.8 billion in economic output in 2022, supporting 51,000 jobs statewide.
- Average revenue per skier visit in North America was $145 in 2023, up 7% from 2022.
- European ski resorts saw €25.6 billion in turnover in 2022/23, driven by lift ticket sales.
- Utah ski industry produced $1.7 billion in economic impact in 2023, with $900 million from nonlocal spending.
- Canadian ski resorts contributed CAD 4.1 billion to GDP in 2022, including multiplier effects.
- Lift ticket revenue accounted for 42% of total U.S. ski resort revenue in 2022/23, totaling $2.1 billion.
- Japan ski market valued at ¥450 billion in 2023, with 15% growth in inbound tourist spending.
- Australian ski resorts generated AUD 1.2 billion in economic activity in 2023 winter season.
- France's ski industry turnover hit €12.3 billion in 2022/23, 55% from accommodations.
- Swiss ski resorts earned CHF 8.7 billion in 2023, with 30% from international visitors.
- New Zealand ski sector contributed NZD 1.1 billion to economy in 2023, supporting 12,000 jobs.
- Italy's ski lifts generated €2.9 billion revenue in 2022/23 season.
- U.S. ski resorts' ancillary revenue (lodging, food) was $3.1 billion in 2022/23.
- Austria ski industry GDP contribution was €10.2 billion in 2023, 3.5% of national tourism.
- Total U.S. skier spending averaged $1,200 per trip in 2023.
- Nordic ski market in Europe reached €1.8 billion in 2023.
- Vail Resorts reported $2.9 billion revenue in FY2023, 60% from pass sales.
- Alterra Mountain Company generated $1.8 billion in 2023, driven by Ikon Pass.
- Powder Mountain ski area revenue grew 22% to $45 million in 2023.
- U.S. total ski industry payroll was $2.4 billion in 2022/23.
- Global equipment rental market for ski resorts valued at $2.1 billion in 2023.
- British Columbia ski resorts added CAD 2.3 billion to provincial economy in 2023.
- German ski areas revenue €4.5 billion in 2022/23, with cable car ops at 35%.
- Scandinavia ski tourism generated SEK 45 billion in 2023.
- Chile ski resorts economic impact $450 million USD in 2023 austral winter.
- Average profit margin for U.S. ski resorts was 12.5% in 2023.
- Lift revenue per operating day averaged $1.2 million for top 20 U.S. resorts in 2023.
- Total investment in new U.S. lifts was $250 million in 2022/23.
Economic Statistics Interpretation
Despite a persistent fear of chairlift conversations, the global ski industry has carved out a surprisingly robust and lucrative economy, proving that people will happily pay a small fortune to be cold, uncomfortable, and occasionally terrified all in the name of a fleeting powder run.
Employment Statistics
- U.S. ski industry employed 197,000 workers in 2022/23 season.
- Vail Resorts full/part-time staff totaled 45,000 in 2023.
- Colorado ski resorts supported 51,000 direct and indirect jobs in 2022.
- Average seasonal wage in U.S. ski resorts was $42,000 in 2023.
- Europe ski resorts employed 450,000 people in 2022/23.
- Whistler Blackcomb had 5,500 employees in 2023 season.
- Utah ski industry jobs totaled 28,000 in 2023.
- French ski resorts workforce was 120,000 full-time equivalents in 2023.
- Aspen Snowmass employed 3,200 staff in 2022/23.
- Canadian ski areas supported 55,000 jobs in 2022.
- 65% of U.S. ski resort jobs were seasonal in 2023.
- Swiss ski industry employed 80,000 workers in 2023.
- Park City Resort staff numbered 4,500 in 2023.
- Women comprised 48% of U.S. ski resort workforce in 2023.
- Austria ski jobs totaled 140,000 in 2022/23.
- Breckenridge CO employed 2,800 in peak season 2023.
- Global ski instructors numbered 250,000 in 2023.
- Keystone Resort had 2,200 workers in 2023.
- U.S. ski retail jobs 35,000 in 2023.
- Italy ski lift operators employed 25,000 in 2023.
- Turnover rate in U.S. ski resorts was 45% annually in 2023.
- Mammoth Mountain staff 3,000 in 2023.
- British Columbia ski jobs 18,000 in 2023.
- 22% of U.S. ski jobs held by under-25s in 2023.
- Jackson Hole employed 1,500 in 2022/23.
- Training hours per employee averaged 25 in U.S. resorts 2023.
- Zermatt Switzerland staff 2,000 peak season.
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Despite the industry's mountain of jobs and its global reliance on a quarter-million instructors to teach the sport, the persistent 45% turnover rate and the $42,000 seasonal wage in the U.S. reveal that the actual uphill battle isn't always on the slopes, but in building a sustainable career on them.
Environmental Statistics
- Global ski resorts energy use for lifts 5.2 TWh annually.
- U.S. resorts diverted 75% waste from landfills in 2023.
- Vail Resorts achieved 50% renewable energy in 2023 operations.
- Europe ski resorts carbon footprint averaged 2.1 tons CO2 per skier day.
- Alterra committed to net-zero by 2030, 20% reduction in 2023.
- U.S. snowmaking water use totaled 450 billion gallons in 2023.
- Whistler Blackcomb zero waste event goal met 95% in 2023.
- French Alps protected 30% terrain from development in 2023.
- Aspen sustainability: 40% electric fleet vehicles in 2023.
- Global resorts planted 1.2 million trees for offsets in 2023.
- U.S. resorts electric groomers: 15% fleet in 2023.
- Park City zero single-use plastics since 2020, 90% reduction waste.
- Swiss resorts 60% hydro-powered lifts in 2023.
- Breckenridge water recycling 80% snowmaking in 2023.
- Keystone solar array powers 20% base ops in 2023.
- Mammoth 100% renewable snowmaking energy in 2023.
- Austria biodiversity projects on 25% ski areas.
- Jackson Hole wildlife corridors protected 1,500 acres.
- U.S. resorts composted 2,500 tons food waste in 2023.
- Zermatt car-free zone expanded, EV shuttles 100% fleet.
- Italian Dolomites UNESCO site: 50% renewable energy lifts.
- Global ski resorts Scope 1 emissions down 12% in 2023.
- U.S. terrain erosion control on 88% trails in 2023.
Environmental Statistics Interpretation
Ski resorts are fervently trying to outrun the ghost of their own energy-guzzling, water-sucking past with a flurry of impressive but often piecemeal green initiatives that prove they know their future depends on being more than just pretty mountains.
Infrastructure Statistics
- U.S. resorts total lifts numbered 1,988 in 2023.
- Average vertical drop at U.S. resorts was 1,050 feet in 2023.
- Europe has 34,000 km of groomed ski pistes in 2023.
- Vail Resorts operates 42 ski areas with 300+ lifts.
- Total U.S. skiable acres 47,000 in 2023.
- Whistler Blackcomb offers 8,171 acres skiable terrain.
- French resorts have 2,500 lifts serving 16,000 km pistes.
- Aspen Snowmass total 5,517 acres with 336 trails.
- Japan ski lifts total 1,200, with average capacity 2,500/hr.
- Snowmaking coverage 75% of U.S. terrain in 2023.
- Park City 7,300 acres, largest in U.S., 348 trails.
- Swiss cable cars total 700, transporting 40M passengers/day peak.
- Average U.S. resort has 60 trails and 10 lifts.
- Breckenridge 2,908 acres, 187 trails, 35 lifts.
- Night skiing available on 20% of U.S. terrain in 2023.
- Keystone 3,148 acres, 129 trails, gondolas key feature.
- Global high-speed detachable quads number 2,500 in 2023.
- Mammoth 3,500 acres, 150 trails, 3,500ft vertical.
- Austria 7,500 km pistes, 4,000 lifts.
- Jackson Hole 2,500 acres in bounds, 4,139ft vertical.
- U.S. terrain parks totaled 1,020 in 2023.
- Zermatt 360km pistes, 54 lifts, cross-border.
- Halfpipes at U.S. resorts: 200 superpipes, 800 standard.
- Italian ski lifts 1,800 modernized since 2010.
- Average snowmaking guns per U.S. resort: 450.
- U.S. resorts' snowmaking capacity covers 92% beginner terrain.
- 85% of U.S. ski resorts used snowmaking in 2022/23.
- U.S. ski resorts produced 15 million acre-feet of snow in 2023.
Infrastructure Statistics Interpretation
While American resorts meticulously engineer winter with an army of snow guns on modest, park-laden peaks, Europe casually carves entire countries worth of alpine real estate, proving that in skiing, as in real estate, the old continent simply has more continent to work with.
Visitor Statistics
- U.S. ski resorts recorded 59.8 million skier visits in 2022/23 season.
- Vail Resorts saw 17.5 million skier visits in 2022/23, up 5% YoY.
- Europe total skier days reached 220 million in 2022/23 winter.
- Whistler Blackcomb attracted 2.1 million visitors in 2023 season.
- French Alps resorts hosted 55 million skier days in 2022/23.
- Aspen Snowmass recorded 1.9 million skier visits in 2022/23.
- Japan Niseko resort saw 650,000 international skier visits in 2023.
- U.S. Northeast skier visits totaled 15.2 million in 2022/23.
- Park City Mountain Resort had 2.3 million visits in 2023.
- Canadian Rockies ski areas averaged 12 million skier days annually.
- Killington Resort in Vermont logged 1.1 million skier visits in 2022/23.
- Swiss ski resorts total 60 million skier days in 2022/23.
- Heavenly Mountain Resort CA/NV saw 850,000 visits in 2023.
- International skier visits to U.S. resorts hit 2.8 million in 2023.
- Breckenridge CO recorded 2.5 million skier days in 2022/23.
- Austria's top 10 resorts hosted 40 million visitors in 2023.
- Keystone Resort CO had 1.7 million visits in 2023 season.
- Global day-ticket skier visits grew 8% to 450 million in 2023.
- Mammoth Mountain CA attracted 1.4 million skiers in 2022/23.
- Italian Dolomites ski areas saw 52 million skier days in 2023.
- Jackson Hole WY logged 550,000 skier visits in 2022/23.
- U.S. Midwest resorts total 4.5 million visits in 2023.
- Zermatt Switzerland hosted 2.2 million skiers in 2023.
- Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) had 650,000 visits in 2023.
- Repeat visitors to U.S. resorts were 68% of total in 2023.
- Chamonix France recorded 2.5 million skier days in 2022/23.
- U.S. Pacific Northwest skier visits 3.8 million in 2022/23.
Visitor Statistics Interpretation
While Europe boasts skier numbers that dwarf a small nation's population, the U.S. industry relies heavily on a loyal herd of repeat visitors who, despite the cost, keep returning to their favorite slopes like devoted, slightly frozen pilgrims.
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