SAM Magazine—Kellogg, Idaho, Dec. 17, 2025—Idaho ski areas recorded 2.4 million skier visits in 2024-25, the fifth straight season with more than 2 million visits and the second highest total on record, ranking it tenth among 37 states with ski areas and a record 3.9 percent share of skier visits nationally, according to an RRC Associates report commissioned by the Idaho Ski Areas Association (Ski Idaho), which represents the state’s 19 alpine ski areas. 

The report also includes economic data, visitor demographics, and visitation statistics from recent ski seasons.

Economic Impact

Skiers and snowboarders spent a total of $402 million in Idaho during the winter of 2023-24: $199.7 million (49.6 percent) at Idaho ski areas and $202.6 million (50.4 percent) at other businesses. The industry also directly or indirectly generated $569 million in gross domestic product in Idaho, equivalent to 0.5 percent of Idaho's 2023 GDP.

Between winter 2020-21 and winter 2023-24, Idaho ski areas’ lift ticket and season pass revenue was up 26 percent, food/beverage revenue was up 51 percent, and accommodations/lodging revenue also leaped 51 percent. Summer operations revenue increased 60 percent from $41 million in 2020 to $65.8 million in 2023.

Idaho ski areas have invested heavily in recent years, spending $186.6 million in capital expenditures for fiscal year 2023-24, up 175 percent compared to 2020-21. 

Visitor Demographics

Nearly 43 percent of visitors to Idaho ski areas were from out of state during the 2023-24 season. Los Angeles and Salt Lake City residents were tied at 2.4 percent of total skier visits each, the highest of any non-Idaho hometowns. Visitors from New York City accounted for 1.5 percent of visits, the most of any eastern city. The greater Boise Designated Market Area accounted for almost one-third of all skier visits in the state that season—32.7 percent.

Most ski area visitors in 2023-24 were male (61 percent) and 37 percent of all visitors were ages 35-54. Roughly 62 percent of visitors had pre-tax household incomes of more than $100,000. And 58 percent of all visits occurred on a season pass product.