- The Utah ski industry brought in $2.51 billion in skier/snowboarder spending last season.
- Utah resorts generated $342.6 million in state and local tax revenue.
- The state's 15 resorts totaled 6.5 million skier days in 2024-25.
One Utah ski resort plans to open this weekend, but a new report looks back at how the industry contributed to the state’s economy last season.
Although it wasn’t a record-setting year, skiing and snowboarding continues to be a major economic driver for the Beehive State.
The industry generated $2.51 billion in skier/snowboarder spending and $342.6 million in state and local tax revenue during the 2024-25 season, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
“Utah’s ski industry remains a vital component of the state’s economy,” said Jennifer Leaver, senior tourism analyst at the Gardner Institute.
“The 2024-25 ski season demonstrates the industry’s resilience and its ability to attract visitors from around the world, contributing significantly to local communities and the state as a whole.”
Utah’s 15 resorts totaled 6.5 million skier days last season, down from the two previous years, including the all-time high of 7.1 million in 2022-23. Twelve resorts recorded the most snow in their history that year.
The $2.5 billion in skier/snowboarder spending dipped from the previous three years, including a record $2.78 billion in 2022-23. While nonresident spending was the lowest in five years, resident spending was the second-highest ever.
Utah skiing/snowboarding by the numbers
- Utah ski areas directly supported 25,980 jobs during the 2024-25 season.
- Accommodation sales in Salt Lake, Summit and Weber counties totaled a combined $668 million.
- Nonresident spending reached $1.88 billion and resident spending hit $630 million.
- 43% skiers/snowboarders came from Utah, 9% from California, 32% from the rest of the U.S. and 3% internationally.
- Spending averaged $306 per skier per day, with 72% staying in paid accommodations.
- Average per-day spending included $59 on lift passes, $62 on lodging and $61 on restaurants/food.
- The average age of skiers/snowboarders was 48, with an average length of stay in Utah of 6.4 nights.
“Utah’s ski industry remains one of the state’s most powerful economic engines and a cornerstone of our economy,” said Nathan Rafferty, president and CEO of Ski Utah.
“The 2024–25 season once again showed how important skiing and snowboarding are to Utah’s economy, communities, and way of life. Strong visitation numbers this year mean more jobs, stronger local businesses, and lasting benefits for residents across the state as we look ahead to the 2034 Olympic Winter Games.”
When do Utah ski resorts open?
Here are the projected opening dates for Utah’s 15 ski/snowboard areas for the 2025-26 season, conditions permitting.
- Alta Ski Area — Nov. 21
- Beaver Mountain — Dec. 19
- Brian Head Resort — Nov. 7
- Brighton Resort — Nov. 13
- Cherry Peak Resort — TBA
- Deer Valley Resort — Dec. 1
- Eagle Point Resort — Dec. 19
- Nordic Valley — Dec. 5
- Park City Mountain Resort — Nov. 21
- Powder Mountain — Dec. 5
- Snowbasin Resort — Nov. 28
- Snowbird — Nov. 28
- Solitude Mountain Resort — Nov. 28
- Sundance Mountain Resort — Dec. 5
- Woodward Park City — Nov. 28