Utah’s ski resorts saw $2.51 billion in skier and snowboarder spending throughout the 2024/25 winter season, supported by 6.5 million skier visits and pulling in $342.6 million in state and local tax revenue. In total, Utah’s ski industry directly supported 31,800 jobs last season.
A recent study from the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute took a look at the economic contributions from the state’s 15 ski resorts. According to their research, the average skier/snowboarder spent $306 on the mountain per day, with 72% of visitors staying in paid accommodations. The average skier/snowboarder was 48-years-old and stayed for an average length of 6.4 nights.
Unsurprisingly, a majority of skiers and snowboarders came from right inside the state, with 43% originating in Utah. 9% came from California, 4% from Florida, 4% from New York, 3% from Texas, 2% from Colorado, and 32% from the rest of the United States. Only 3% of skiers and snowboarders in the 2024/25 season were from a separate country.
The recent winter marks another winter of decrease in skier/snowboarder spending, $209 million less than the 2023/2024 season. The highest year in recent history was the 2022/2023 season, with $2.718 billion being spent by skiers and snowboarders (adjusted for inflation).
The report also showed that the average Utah skier/snowboarder spent the most money on lodging per day ($62), with restaurants/food in second ($61) and lift passes in third ($59). Accommodation sales in Salt Lake, Summit, and Weber Counties did see a $7 million increase from the 2023/2024 season, with $668 million spent last season.
