Ski Facilities
Description
Companies in this industry operate recreation areas used for downhill and cross-country skiing. No major companies dominate the industry. Companies that operate ski lodges and resorts -- facilities with overnight accommodations for guests -- are not included in the industry, but those companies are significant competitors of independent ski facilities. Important ski lodge and resort operators include Alterra Mountain Company, Aspen Skiing Company, Booth Creek, Boyne USA, and Vail Resorts (all based in the US); Compagnie des Alpes (France); and Whistler Blackcomb (Canada).
Globally, there are about 70 countries that offer equipped outdoor ski areas covered with snow, according to the 2025 International Report on Snow and Mountain Tourism. France, Austria, and the US have the most ski lifts and the highest total skier visits, according to Snow Brains. The industry is growing in Eastern Europe, China, and the Middle East.
The US ski facilities industry includes about 340 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $3 billion.
Companies that operate ski lodges and resorts are covered as part of the Hotels, Motels & Resorts industry profile.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Good snow conditions and personal income drive demand. The profitability of individual companies depends on effective marketing and efficient skiing and business operations. Large companies have advantages in marketing and in sharing resources and staff among multiple skiing sites. Small companies can compete effectively by catering to the local population or providing customized services. The US industry is highly concentrated: the top 50 companies account for over 85% of revenue.
PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Major services at ski facilities are facility use, food and beverage sales, instruction fees, merchandise sales, and equipment rentals. Skiing facility services account for about 70% of revenue. About 10% of revenue comes from meals and beverage services while rental services for recreational, sports, and fitness equipment account for over 5%.
A typical ski season runs from mid-November to mid-April in the highest elevations. Facility staff members prepare and maintain trails; give skiing lessons; run restaurants and food concessions; rent, sell, and repair ski equipment; and operate onsite retail shops. Companies may outsource some services or lease concessions to third parties. During the off-season, many facilities offer hiking, mountain biking, and swimming.
Ski areas may focus on a major type of skiing: downhill (also known as Alpine); cross-country (Nordic); freestyle; or snowboarding; or offer a combination. Most types of skiing require special surface preparation and equipment, such as ski lifts, tows, trail-grooming machines, and snowmaking systems. About 75% of US ski areas operate with five or more lifts. Ski facilities' major metrics are skier visits (or skier days) and revenue per visit. A skier visit includes the use of a ticket or free pass for any part of a single day.
Ski areas can be on private or public land and can vary from a single run on a few acres to numerous runs on thousands of acres. When snowfall is inadequate, facilities that use snowmaking equipment require large quantities of water to convert into snow. Because water resources can be limited, ski facilities enter water usage agreements with nearby towns, affected states, and, in the case of public land, with federal agencies. Some ski facilities have their own lakes or reservoirs. Snowmaking, grooming, and chairlift equipment are energy-intensive to operate, but can be competitively advantageous. For example, high-speed chairlifts can carry four skiers up a mountain three times faster than older models.
Globally, there are about 70 countries that offer equipped outdoor ski areas covered with snow, according to the 2025 International Report on Snow and Mountain Tourism. France, Austria, and the US have the most ski lifts and the highest total skier visits, according to Snow Brains. The industry is growing in Eastern Europe, China, and the Middle East.
The US ski facilities industry includes about 340 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $3 billion.
Companies that operate ski lodges and resorts are covered as part of the Hotels, Motels & Resorts industry profile.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Good snow conditions and personal income drive demand. The profitability of individual companies depends on effective marketing and efficient skiing and business operations. Large companies have advantages in marketing and in sharing resources and staff among multiple skiing sites. Small companies can compete effectively by catering to the local population or providing customized services. The US industry is highly concentrated: the top 50 companies account for over 85% of revenue.
PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Major services at ski facilities are facility use, food and beverage sales, instruction fees, merchandise sales, and equipment rentals. Skiing facility services account for about 70% of revenue. About 10% of revenue comes from meals and beverage services while rental services for recreational, sports, and fitness equipment account for over 5%.
A typical ski season runs from mid-November to mid-April in the highest elevations. Facility staff members prepare and maintain trails; give skiing lessons; run restaurants and food concessions; rent, sell, and repair ski equipment; and operate onsite retail shops. Companies may outsource some services or lease concessions to third parties. During the off-season, many facilities offer hiking, mountain biking, and swimming.
Ski areas may focus on a major type of skiing: downhill (also known as Alpine); cross-country (Nordic); freestyle; or snowboarding; or offer a combination. Most types of skiing require special surface preparation and equipment, such as ski lifts, tows, trail-grooming machines, and snowmaking systems. About 75% of US ski areas operate with five or more lifts. Ski facilities' major metrics are skier visits (or skier days) and revenue per visit. A skier visit includes the use of a ticket or free pass for any part of a single day.
Ski areas can be on private or public land and can vary from a single run on a few acres to numerous runs on thousands of acres. When snowfall is inadequate, facilities that use snowmaking equipment require large quantities of water to convert into snow. Because water resources can be limited, ski facilities enter water usage agreements with nearby towns, affected states, and, in the case of public land, with federal agencies. Some ski facilities have their own lakes or reservoirs. Snowmaking, grooming, and chairlift equipment are energy-intensive to operate, but can be competitively advantageous. For example, high-speed chairlifts can carry four skiers up a mountain three times faster than older models.
Table of Contents
- Industry Overview
- Quarterly Industry Update
- Business Challenges
- Business Trends
- Industry Opportunities
- Call Preparation Questions
- Financial Information
- Industry Forecast
- Web Links and Acronyms
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