Ski Industry Analysis

The ski industry in the U.S. is a multibillion-dollar industry, with tens of millions of skiers taking to the slopes each year. The largest and most popular ski resorts in the U.S. are in the mountains of Colorado, Vermont, and the Sierra Nevadas (Utah and Nevada).

  1. History

    • Originating in northern European countries, skiing first became established in the U.S. in New Hampshire between the 1930s and the 1950s. Gradually, the skiing industry expanded west to sites where the mountains were higher and the snow was more consistent.

    Popularity

    • Over the winter of 2009-2010, total skier and snowboard visits to U.S. skiing resorts were 59.7 million, according to the National Ski Areas Association. The Rocky Mountain region, which includes the resorts of Aspen, Vail and Winter Park, had the largest share, with 20 million visits.

    Revenues

    • According to industry analyst firm IBISWorld, total U.S. ski industry revenues in 2009 were $2.5 billion. There were 397 skiing establishments employing a total of 71,410 people, paying $728 million in total wages.

    Top Resorts

    • Vail, Colorado, is the largest ski area in the United States, with 5,300 aces of ski trails. The resort is eleven miles wide with a maximum elevation of 11,570 feet.