TL;DR
In the powder capital of Utah, skiers were treated to a season like no other. With record-breaking snowfall and resorts opening earlier and staying open later, the slopes saw an influx of skiers, resulting in a remarkable 22% increase in skier visits compared to the previous year. The ski industry contributed massively to Utah's economy, with visitors spending over $2.5 billion. Powder days were abundant, and even resorts that fell short of breaking records still had their snowiest seasons in years. Utah's ski season of 2022-23 will be remembered as a time when the skiing was simply exceptional.
Record-breaking snowfall in Utah this past season led to an unprecedented number of skiers hitting the slopes, and Ski Utah confirms that there were 7.1 million skier visits to the state in 2022-23, a remarkable increase of 22% compared to the previous record set the year before. These astounding figures can be attributed to the longer opening periods of resorts, which stayed operational due to the never-ending winter. The impact of the ski industry on Utah's economy cannot be overstated, as visitors spent over $2.5 billion this year, according to Alison Palmintere, the Director of Communications.Alison further explained that the pandemic played a significant role in driving the surge in skiers. With more people working remotely, individuals were able to seize the opportunity to ski during off-peak hours and even conduct conference calls while on the slopes. The flexibility provided by remote work arrangements allowed more people to enjoy skiing during the week, contributing to the increased number of skier visits.
The mountains surrounding Snowbird resort. Credit: SnowStash Utah's 15 ski resorts had an exceptional season, with almost all of them breaking snowfall records. Even the three resorts that fell short still experienced their snowiest seasons in years. Alta Ski Area, in particular, recorded an incredible 903 inches of snowfall, the highest ever recorded at a Utah resort. Powder days, defined as those with over 12 inches of snow within a 24-hour period, were abundant throughout the season. While the yearly average for powder days is typically 19, Utah enjoyed a staggering 44 from 2022 to 2023.Nathan Rafferty, president of Ski Utah, summed up the sentiment by stating, "The skiing was just that good." The enthusiasm generated by the exceptional skiing conditions contributed to the remarkable skier numbers this season. Looking ahead, the numbers are expected to continue increasing as Snowbird recently announced that it will reopen for Father's Day Weekend in a few weeks, extending the record-breaking season.
About the author
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
