Vermont Ski Areas Report Continued Growth Despite Weather Challenges
MONTPELIER — Vermont’s ski industry continues to thrive, with reports of increased skier visits despite facing weather-related challenges during the season. Ski Vermont, the state’s ski areas association, held its 56th Annual Meeting at Sugarbush Resort on June 4-5, where it announced that Vermont’s alpine areas logged 4.16 million skier visits for the 2024-25 season. This figure marks a 1.1 percent increase over the previous year and a 6.2 percent rise over the ten-year average, solidifying Vermont’s reputation as the top ski destination in the East and the fourth largest in the nation for skier visits.
The season saw an average of 117 operating days, slightly below the ten-year average of 123 days, but benefitted from an average snowfall of 218 inches, which is 35 inches above the average from previous years. Molly Mahar, President of Ski Vermont, attributed the growth to the commitment of ski areas to enhance visitor experiences through investments in snowmaking and expanded programming.
However, the season was not without hurdles. A slow start in November, blustery conditions during peak periods, and a lack of snowfall in March negatively impacted visitation, particularly during significant holiday weekends. Additionally, geopolitical tensions led to reduced Canadian visitation, which is critical for northern Vermont ski areas.
In contrast, cross-country ski areas experienced a robust season, reporting a dramatic 37 percent increase in visits, totaling 322,353 skier visits. Notable awards were presented during the meeting, including an Industry Achievement Award to Kelly Pawlak and Career Industry Awards to multiple long-serving employees from local resorts.
Vermont’s ski areas remain focused on fostering relationships with the tourism sector and enhancing their resilience to ensure continued growth in the coming seasons.
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