The comments came in fast, and they came in with a surprising amount of agreement.
When Unofficial Networks asked readers a simple question—“Which mountain town has changed for the worse over the last 20 years?” Over 650 skiers and snowboarders responded, and the most common answer wasn’t Vail, Jackson Hole, or Park City.
It was simply:
“All of them.”
That sentiment showed up more than 70 times in different forms, making it the clear winner over any individual ski town. While plenty of commenters singled out specific destinations, the broader feeling was that something bigger has changed across mountain communities throughout North America.
The Biggest Takeaway: It’s Bigger Than One Town
Many readers didn’t even bother naming a resort.
Instead they responded with comments like:
“The real question is, is there a mountain town that hasn’t?”
“Perhaps a better question would be which Mountain Town hasn’t changed for the worse in the last 20 years?”
“Shorter list if you asked which one hasn’t!”
For many longtime skiers, this isn’t about one resort making bad decisions. It’s about the evolution of skiing itself.
The Most Mentioned Ski Towns
After combining nicknames and alternate names (Jackson = Jackson Hole, Breck = Breckenridge, Squaw Valley = Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes = Mammoth Mountain, etc.), these communities received the most criticism from readers:
- All of them
- Vail
- Jackson Hole
- Park City
- Aspen
- Steamboat
- Big Sky
- Truckee / Tahoe
- Breckenridge
- Mammoth Mountain
- Whistler
- Telluride
Interestingly, almost every one of these destinations has also become dramatically more expensive over the past two decades.
Housing Was the Theme That Kept Coming Up
One of the longest and most thoughtful comments came from a longtime Crested Butte local.
He explained that wages have increased—but housing has become nearly impossible.
“…they’re all Airbnb’s so there is no housing… many people who are able to come into town and buy up real estate… don’t share the values the people are there for.”
Another commenter summarized what many mountain-town workers have experienced:
“Ski bums (and all the employees) used to live in town. Now they have to live three towns down the mountain.”
That idea resurfaced again and again.
Locals aren’t necessarily upset that people discovered their towns—they’re frustrated that teachers, ski patrollers, lift mechanics, bartenders and instructors increasingly can’t afford to live where they work.
Corporate Ownership Took Plenty of Heat
Another recurring theme was consolidation.
Epic Pass.
Ikon Pass.
Vail Resorts.
Alterra.
Whether fair or not, many readers blamed corporate ownership for changing the character of their favorite mountains.
One commenter wrote:
“Anything Vail Resorts touched.”
Another added:
“The Epic and Icon pass ruined skiing so any affiliate of those passes have been the affected resorts.”
Steamboat, Crested Butte, South Lake Tahoe, Mammoth and Big Sky were repeatedly mentioned in relation to ownership changes or pass programs.
The Loss of “Cool and Funky”
Telluride inspired some of the most nostalgic comments.
One reader remembered the days of ranchers, ski bums and Rasta Stevie.
“Telluride… was stoner ski bums, ranchers and Rasta Stevie as the Mayor… It was loose and easy… not the case anymore.”
Another commenter echoed that sentiment almost word for word:
“Rasta Stevie said he wanted Telluride to stay Cool and Funky. Well, most of the cool and funky people moved away.”
It’s hard to quantify “cool and funky,” but nearly everyone reading those comments knew exactly what they meant.
Jackson Hole: Cowboy Town or Luxury Playground?
Jackson Hole also appeared repeatedly.
One commenter summed it up with:
“The elites in Jackson playing cowboy dress up…”
Another was even more blunt:
“Jackson Hole undoubtedly, it’s turned into mini California.”
Others simply called it too expensive and too crowded.
Park City’s Identity Crisis
Park City drew criticism from readers who felt it has become less of a ski town and more of an upscale suburb.
One commenter wrote:
“Park City looking like New York City with all the condos on the mountain now.”
Another added:
“Park City… used to be a mountain town now it’s just a high end suburb of Salt Lake City.”
Not Everyone Thinks Things Are Worse
The discussion wasn’t entirely negative.
A few readers pointed to places they believe have resisted the trend.
One commenter praised South Lake Tahoe’s affordability and year-round recreation.
Another defended Schweitzer despite Alterra ownership:
“All the old timers (me included) like to complain… but alas we still all have a great time.”
Others mentioned Showdown, Holiday Valley, Rossland and Beaver Mountain as places that have largely maintained their character.
Maybe It’s Really About Skiing
Perhaps the most telling comments weren’t about any particular mountain.
They were about what skiing has become.
One reader wrote:
“Within 10 to 20 years skiing will be for the very rich only.”
Another added:
“Skiing used to be America’s pastime. Now it’s a rich guy sport.”
Whether that’s entirely true is debatable.
But judging by more than 2,800 comments, many longtime skiers feel that rising housing costs, corporate consolidation, expensive lift tickets and changing local cultures have transformed mountain towns in ways that can’t easily be reversed.
What do you think?
Did readers get it right?
Has your favorite mountain town lost something over the last two decades—or is this simply nostalgia talking? Let us know in the comments.