Despite facing many weather challenges Vermont’s Alpine ski areas reported 4.1 million skier visits for 2023-24, reported the Vermont Ski Areas Association June 12. That’s down less than half a percentage point from the 2022-23 season. Visitation this season remains 4% above Vermont’s 10-year average and outpaces a 6.2% decrease in Northeast region visits (12.4 million) and a 6.6% decrease in national visits (60.4 million).
The historic peak for skier visits in Vermont was in the 1986-87 season with 5.2 million. (See year-by-year list below.)
Vermont remains the top ski state in the east and fourth largest in the nation, measured by skier visits, a key performance indicator for the snowsports industry. For the 2023-24 season, the state’s ski areas averaged 124 operating days—one more than the 10-year average, and an average seasonal snowfall of 199 inches—a 32-inch increase over last year, and 15 inches above the 10-year average.
“This is a positive result considering the often-challenging weather, particularly during the first half of the season. Such a slight change in skier visits compared to last year highlights the efficiency and sustainability advances that Vermont’s Alpine ski areas have made, particularly in snowmaking operations,” said Ski Vermont president Molly Mahar. “Aggressive investment in new technology, agile and flexible operations and hard work delivered the conditions to keep skiers visiting this season – important not only to ski areas but also for all the businesses that rely on strong skier turnout for their own success.”
After a slow start and inconsistent weather for two of the three peak visitation periods, late-season snowstorms and the total solar eclipse helped boost ski area visits in March and April for a strong end to the season. Ski areas operating in the path of totality reported 100% occupancy and strong visitation, and all across the state many guests took advantage of the late-season snow. Several areas also extended their seasons, with Jay Peak and Sugarbush skiing into May and Killington again offering skiing June 1 for the longest season in the East.
Ski Vermont’s 26 cross country ski area members reported a statewide total of 202,485 skier visits, a decrease of 49.6% from the previous season. Cross-country ski areas are more heavily dependent on natural snowfall and some areas were not able to open until the second week in January. Some areas reported that the decrease in revenue was not commensurate with skier visits thanks to season pass sales and other revenue streams.
Skiing is an important economic driver and employer in the state, particularly in rural areas where many ski areas are located. Ski Vermont’s Fifth Grade Passport helps to get approximately 3,000 children on the slopes annually and partial proceeds from the program support Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports.
Annual skier visits:
2023-2024: 4.1 million
2022-2023: 4.1 million
2021-2022: 3.8 million
2020-2021: 3.5 million
2019-2020: 3.7 million (ended in March, Covid-19)
2018-2019: 4.2 million
2017-2018: 4.0 million
2016-2017: 3.9 million
2015-2016: 3.2 million
2014-2015: 4.7 million
2013-2014: 4.5 million
2012-2013: 4.5 million
2011-2012: 3.9 million
2010-2011: 4.4 million
2009-2010: 4.1 million
2008-2009: 4.0 million
2007-2008: 4.4 million
2006-2007: 3.8 million
2005-2006: 4.1 million
2004-2005: 4.4 million
2003-2004: 4.2 million
2002-2003: 4.4 million
2001-2002: 4.1 million
2000-2001: 4.5 million
1999-2000: 3.9 million
1998-1999: 4.0 million
1997-1998: 4.3 million
1996-1997: 3.9 million
1995-1996: 4.1 million
1994-1995: 3.6 million
1993-1994: 4.3 million
1992-1993: 4.2 million
1991-1992: 3.8 million
1990-1991: 4.1 million
1989-1990: 4.6 million
1988-1989: 4.5 million
1987-1988: 4.8 million
1986-1987: 5.2 million
1985-1986: 4.5 million
1984-1985: 3.8 million
1983-1984: 4.1 million
1982-1983: 3.0 million
1981-1982: 4.0 million
1980-1981: 3.1 million
1979-1980: 2.1 million
1978-1979: 3.2 million
1977-1978: 3.6 million
1976-1977: 3.0 million
1975-1976: 2.6 million
1974-1975: 2.8 million
1973-1974: 1.6 million
1972-1973: 2.3 million
1971-1972: 2.6 million
1970-1971: 2.6 million
1969-1970: 2.4 million
1968-1969: 2.3 million
1967-1968: 1.8 million
1966-1967: 1.6 million
1965-1966: 1.6 million
1964-1965: 1.1 million
1963-1964: 1.1 million
1962-1963: 1.0 million
