SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., May 12, 2025—U.S. ski areas reported a total of 61.5 million skier visits for 2024-25, a 1.7 percent year-over-year increase, according to preliminary data from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). It was the second-highest total since NSAA began tallying skier visits in 1978, trailing only the record-setting 2022-23 season by 3.9 million visits.

“The 2024-25 season may come to represent a new baseline for the industry. Even if ‘normal’ continues to evolve, this season gives us a strong point of reference for what steady, healthy growth looks like,” said NSAA president and CEO Michael Reitzell, noting that the industry has surpassed its goal of reaching a three-year rolling average of 60 million skier visits.

NSAA attributed the growth to a number of factors, including increased visits at small and medium sized ski areas; a record-setting year in the Pacific Northwest; a rebound in the Midwest; and continued growth in season passes and frequency-based products. 

The Pacific Northwest recorded 4.7 million skier visits, a 10.9 percent increase over the previous year. Skier visits rebounded in the Midwest, up 21.8 percent year-over-year after a 26.7 percent decline the prior season due to unseasonably warm weather. The Rocky Mountain region, which accounted for 42.9 percent of all national visits in 2024-25, reported its third-most skier visit total out of 47 seasons on record.

While average snowfall at ski areas nationally was down 6.9 percent year-over-year, the Southeast and Midwest both saw above average snowfall and the Northeast was right on average, according to NSAA. “While weather will always be unpredictable, this year was less volatile overall, and nearly every region saw solid snowfall,” said Reitzell.

Other indicators of health: the number of operating ski areas rose from 484 last season to 492 this season; and in 2024-25, the average ski area reinvested approximately $21.11 per skier visit back into operations, continuing a trend that exceeds the five-season average of $20.37.

Capital investment by U.S. ski areas totaled $624.4 million for the 2024-25 season (based on reported investment by 135 responding areas). As in previous years, lift infrastructure accounted for the highest percentage of capital expenditures. 

Surveyed ski areas projected $560.7 million in capital spending for the 2025-26 season, including plans for 47 new lifts and 70 lift upgrades.

A skier visit is counted each time an individual uses a lift ticket or pass at a ski area. In 2024-25, season-pass holders made up 49 percent of visits nationally, and standard day lift tickets accounted for 32 percent of visits. Frequency products, off-duty employees, complimentary products, etc., claimed the balance.

The current data is preliminary; several ski areas are still open for skiing and riding. NSAA will continue collecting updated data as those ski areas close for winter operations. 

Historical visitation data can be found here.