Vail Resorts Reports 20% Drop in Skier Visits Amid Low Snowfall

Skiing enthusiasts are facing challenges this season as Vail Resorts reports a significant 20% decline in skier visits. The company announced this downturn on January 4, 2024, highlighting the impact of below-normal snowfall across its Colorado resorts. Vail Resorts operates several popular destinations including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Crested Butte, along with 32 other resorts throughout North America.

According to a statement from Rob Katz, chief executive of Vail Resorts, this season has seen one of the worst early snowfalls in more than three decades in the western United States. Katz noted that snowfall during November and December was approximately 50% below the historical 30-year average, while the Rockies experienced a nearly 60% drop. This limited the opening of ski terrain, resulting in only about 11% of the expected terrain being operational in December.

The figures released by Vail Resorts indicate that the decline in skier visits has also affected related revenues. Ski school revenue fell by 14.9%, while dining revenue decreased by 15.9% compared to the previous year. This trend suggests that both local and destination guests have been impacted by the lack of snow and limited skiing options.

Current Conditions and Future Outlook

Despite the challenges at the beginning of the season, Katz mentioned that conditions across the resorts in the Rockies have shown some improvement following the holiday period. However, he cautioned that conditions remain significantly below historical averages for this time of year. Colorado’s overall snowpack is currently less than 50%, affecting ski operations across the region.

As of now, Vail Mountain has 56% of its trails open, while Keystone stands at 53%, Breckenridge at 33%, Beaver Creek at 26%, and Crested Butte at 53%. Weather forecasts suggest little prospect for significant snowfall in the high country until late next week at the earliest, leaving ski enthusiasts and resort operators hoping for a change in conditions.

With skier visits down and revenues affected, the industry is closely monitoring weather patterns and snowfall in the coming weeks. As resorts adapt to these challenges, the focus remains on attracting guests and improving conditions to enhance the overall skiing experience.