North American ski resorts have been on a tear when it comes to capital investments (including the biggest single-year investment drive in one state since the 1980) with 70+ resorts improving their chairlifts, lodges, slopes and guest experiences. The following is a detailed dive into where the money has gone and who from the skiing public stands to benefit.
Highlights include Deer Valley’s historic Expanded Excellence Project which unleashes over 80 new trails and multiple new lifts, Park City’s new Sunrise gondola and Monarch Mountain’s 400-acre No-Name Basin expansion in Colorado.
4 tier ranking system of improvements:
- Minor Investments: smaller-scale changes that aren’t intended to have huge front-facing experience impacts
- Noteworthy Investments: important changes that aren’t the most prominent, but have the potential to bring palpable experience improvements
- Substantial Investments: changes that we expect most guests will prominently notice
- Game-Changing Investments: changes that will not only be noticed, but have the potential to expand the resort’s appeal to a meaningful new clientele.
The 2025-2026 ski season marks a banner year for capital investments across North American resorts, with over 70 mountains rolling out upgrades to lifts, lodges, snowmaking, and terrain. From subtle enhancements to massive construction projects, the good folks at Peak Rankings did an amazing job of breaking it all down. For a more detailed continued reading go here.
