Utah’s Ski Industry Contributed $1.94 Billion In Nonresident Visitor Spending
Utah is home to 15 ski resorts, including the nation’s largest (Park City). A new fact sheet from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute shows that Utah’s ski industry contributed $1.94 billion in nonresident visitor spending during the 2022/23 ski season, generating $197.9 million in state and local tax revenue. The industry directly supported 25,980 statewide jobs and experienced a record 7.1 million skier days during this same ski season.
“The 2022/23 ski season was unprecedented for Utah,” said Jennifer Leaver, senior tourism analyst at the Gardner Institute. “The data show several economic measures at an all-time high, fueled by a historic, record-setting snowfall at nearly every Utah ski area.”
Key findings from the data include the following:
- Visitor Spending – Nonresident visitors spent a record $1.94 billion at Utah ski areas during the 2022/23 ski season, up from $1.92 billion the previous season and $990 million during the 2010/11 season.
- Skier Days – Utah skier days totaled 7.1 million during the 2022/23 ski season, up from 5.8 million the previous year.
- Winter Accommodation Sales – Winter accommodation sales in Salt Lake, Summit, and Weber counties were a record $666 million during the 2022/23 ski season, up 7.6% from the previous year after adjusting for inflation.
- Jobs – Utah’s 15 ski areas directly supported 25,980 jobs during the 2022/23 ski season.
- Utah Skiers – Utah resident skier/snowboarding spending reached a record $694 million during the 2022/23 ski season, up from $433 million the previous year.
“These 2022-23 ski season statistics show that skiing, snowboarding, and tourism in Utah continue to be vital to the health of the state’s economy and benefit residents by providing fun ways to recreate outside, excellent jobs, and ample tax dollars from visitors that are used for community projects,” said Nathan Rafferty, President & CEO of Ski Utah. “These numbers reflect the hard work our Utah ski resorts invest in providing fun, positive experiences for visitors and residents alike to look upon fondly.”
