Staying Connected

At ski areas, cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity is becoming as important as the chairlifts and snowmaking systems that draw skiers and riders to the hill. But in the rural, mountainous areas that lend themselves to the development of ski areas, staying connected can be a challenge.

In the last two decades, smartphones have infiltrated our lives both on- and off-mountain. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2023, 90 percent of Americans own a smartphone—a number that rises to 98 percent for those earning $100,000 or more, i.e., typical resort guests.