TL;DR
Utah's ski resorts recorded their third-busiest season ever with 6.5 million visitors in 2024-25, but the 3.6% decline from the previous year highlights growing challenges. Weather patterns, the Park City strike, and economic pressures all contributed to the drop, even as the industry invests hundreds of millions in new infrastructure ahead of the 2034 Olympics.
Utah Ski Resorts Record Third-Busiest Season Despite Visitor Decline
Utah's ski resorts welcomed 6.5 million visitors during the 2024-25 season, making it the third-busiest ski season in the state's history. However, this figure represents a 3.6% drop from the previous season, continuing a two-year decline from the record-breaking 2022-23 season.
The 15 ski resorts across Utah recorded 6,503,635 visits, down from 6.75 million the previous year. While still impressive, the numbers highlight growing challenges facing Utah's ski industry.
Weather and Conditions Impact Visitor Numbers
Utah experienced variable weather patterns throughout the season, with 538 inches of snowfall between November and April. This was slightly below the 44-year average of 548 inches, contributing to a slower start to the season compared to recent years.
The reduced snowfall contrasts sharply with the record 2022-23 season, when Alta received 903 inches of snow and perfect conditions attracted 7.1 million visitors statewide.
Why Utah's 'Third Best Season Ever' Is Actually Bad News
Park City Strike Affects Holiday Period
A significant factor in the visitor decline was the two-week ski patrol strike at during the busy Christmas and New Year period. The resort operated with just 18% of terrain open during this critical time, compared to 39% the previous year despite having 10 inches less snow.
