SAM Magazine—Montpelier, Vt., June 20, 2024—Despite a slow start to the season and inconsistent weather, Ski Vermont reported that the state’s alpine ski areas welcomed 4.1 million skier visits for 2023-24, down less than half a percentage point from the 2022-23 season. 

Visitation was 4 percent above Vermont’s 10-year average and outpaced a 6.2 percent decrease in Northeast region visits (12.4 million) and a 6.6 percent drop in national visits (60.4 million), according to data from the National Ski Areas Association. 

Vermont drew the most skier visits of any ski state in the East and maintained its position as the fourth most visited state in the nation. For the 2023-24 season, the state’s ski areas averaged 124 operating days—one more than the 10-year average—and 199 inches of total snowfall, a 32-inch increase over last year, and 15 inches above the 10-year average. 

“This is a positive result considering the often-challenging weather, particularly during the first half of the season,” said Ski Vermont president Molly Mahar. “Such a slight change in skier visits compared to last year highlights the efficiency and sustainability advances that Vermont’s alpine ski areas have made, particularly in snowmaking operations.”

Mahar said the “aggressive investment in new [snowmaking] technology” contributed to the strong turnout of skiers and snowboarders, “important not only to ski areas but also for all the businesses that rely on strong skier turnout for their own success.”

Late-season snowstorms and the total solar eclipse helped boost ski area visits in March and April for a strong end to the season. Ski areas operating in the path of totality of the April 8 eclipse reported 100 percent occupancy and strong visitation, and many guests took advantage of the late-season snow across the state. Southern Vermont experienced its largest snowstorm of the season in early April. The late-season snow up north helped Jay Peak and Sugarbush stay open into May, and Killington again skied into June to offer the longest season in the East. 

Low snow hurts cross-country visitation. Ski Vermont’s 26 cross-country ski area members reported a statewide total of 202,485 skier visits, a decrease of 49.6 percent from 2022-23. Cross-country ski areas are more heavily dependent on natural snowfall and some areas were not able to open until the second week in January. Intermittent thaws disrupted operations throughout the season, too. 

Some areas reported that revenue was not commensurate with the decrease in skier visits thanks to season pass sales and other revenue streams.

All results were first reported during Ski Vermont’s 55th Annual Meeting at Jay Peak in early June. The association honored several individuals with awards during the event.

Mike Hussey, former general manager of Middlebury Snowbowl and the Rikert Outdoor Center, and former Bromley Mountain general manager Bill Cairns were each presented with an Industry Achievement Award. 

Friend of the Industry awards were presented to Jeff Nelson of VHB (Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.) and to Betsy Bishop, president of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Career Employee awards went to Patti Martin and Donna Barton of Stowe Mountain Resort, and Deirdre Morris of Killington Resort.