Industry News
Skier visits at Idaho ski resorts have exceeded 2 million annually since winter 2020-21, including a record 2.5 million during the 2022-23 ski season, according to an economic impact report Ski Idaho commissioned from Boulder, Colorado-based research firm RRC. Skier visits also reached 2.4 million in winter 2024-25, the second-highest on record, and 2.1 million in winter 2023-24.
A skier visit (or skier day) represents one person visiting a ski area for all or any part of a day or night for skiing, snowboarding, or other downhill riding. Specifically excluded are cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowtubing, and skiing by on-duty employees.
RRC found that Idaho ski areas have captured a growing share of western U.S. skier and snowboarder visits, reaching a record 6.2% share in winter 2024-25. The study also found that Idaho ranked 10th in skier visits in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, among 37 states with ski areas. Additionally, RRC reported that Idaho ski areas account for an increasing share of skier and snowboarder visits nationally, reaching a record 3.9% share during winter 2024-25.
Based on 2023-24 data, Idaho ranks sixth in skier days per capita, with an index of 412, meaning Idaho residents enjoy 4.12 times the average. The only states with higher skier visit indexes are Vermont (754), Colorado (571), New Hampshire (504), Montana (499), and Maine (429). Almost tied with Idaho, Utah (410) ranked seventh.
Approximately 140,000-200,000 Idaho residents, 7-10% of the state’s population, downhill ski or snowboard in a given season.
Skiers and snowboarders spent a total of $402 million in Idaho during the winter of 2023-24– $199.7 million (49.6%) at Idaho ski areas and $202.6 million (50.4%) at other businesses. The industry directly and indirectly generated $569 million in Idaho’s gross domestic product, equivalent to 0.5% of Idaho’s 2023 GDP.
Meanwhile, total economic output during fiscal year 2023-24 exceeded $1 billion, increasing 74% from $584 million in FY 2020-21. This included $544 million in direct output (up from $350 million in FY 2020-21) and $472 million in indirect and induced output (up from $233 million in FY 2020-21). Indirect effects are economic impacts arising from business-to-business purchases within the supply chain. Induced effects are economic effects arising from household spending of labor income after taxes, savings, and commuter income are removed.
Between winter 2020-21 and winter 2023-24, Idaho ski areas saw lift ticket and season pass revenue jump 26%, while food/beverage and accommodations/lodging revenue leaped 51% and 65%, respectively. Meanwhile, summer operations revenue climbed 60% from $41.0 million in 2020 to $65.8 million in 2023. Capital expenditures for fiscal year 2023-24 were up 175% compared to FY 2020-21 at $186.8 million vs. $67.9 million, respectively. Investments in new and upgraded lifts soared by 363% and expenditures on other on-mountain facilities and support leapt 341%.
All this economic activity translated into 7,653 year-round equivalent jobs during FY 2023-24–4,892 direct jobs and 2,761 indirect and induced jobs. This represents 34% growth from FY 2020-21’s total of 5,703 jobs.
Idaho’s ski industry generated $304 million in labor income—including $170 million directly and $134 million through multiplier effects. This represents a 79% increase over FY 2020-21’s $170 million in labor income. Labor income includes all forms of employment income, including wages, benefits, and proprietor income.
The study also found that skiing accounts for more than 8% of Idaho’s travel economy, depending on the metric—6.6% based on earnings, 7.4% based on employment, and 8.0% based on visitor expenditures. Additionally, skiing and snowboarding directly or indirectly account for more than 0.6% of Idaho’s economy, depending on the metric: 0.4% based on earnings, 0.5% based on contribution to gross domestic product, and 0.6% based on employment. The report also noted that the state’s thriving skiing and snowboarding industry helps balance Idaho’s summer-dominated travel industry, contributes significantly to its quality of life, and improves employee recruitment and retention at Idaho businesses.
Slightly more than half of Idaho ski area visitors in the winter of 2023-24–57.4%—resided in the Gem State, and 42.6% were from out of state. The greater Boise Designated Market Area accounted for nearly one-third of all skier visits that season, with 32.7%. The Spokane DMA, which includes much of North Idaho, accounted for 16.4% of visits. The Idaho Falls/Pocatello and Twin Falls, Idaho, DMAs accounted for 9.4% and 5.9%, respectively, with Seattle/Tacoma rounding out the top five markets at 5.3%.
Completing the top 10 hometowns of Idaho ski area visitors were Los Angeles and Salt Lake City at 2.4% each, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose at 1.6%, and New York City and Portland at 1.5% each. Missoula, Montana, contributed $1.2 million in visitors; the area encompassing Yakima and the Tri-Cities region of Washington State accounted for $1.1%; Denver accounted for $1.0 million; and Butte/Bozeman, Montana, and Chicago each accounted for $0.8%.
Idaho skiers and snowboarders were predominantly male, accounting for 61% of ski area visits versus 39% for females. A little more than one-fifth were youths (10% were 12 or younger and 12% were ages 13-17), one-fifth were between 18-34 (7% were 18-24 and 13% were 25-34), more than one-third were between 35-54 (20% were 35-44 and 17% were 45-54), and another one-fifth were 55 or older (12% were 55-64, 7% were 65-74, and 1% were 75 or older).
Among visitors aged 18 or older, households with children accounted for the most skier and snowboarder visits (42%), and families with children no longer at home ranked second at 24%. Couples with no children accounted for 17% of visits, and single individuals with no children comprised the remaining 16%.
Skiers and snowboarders visiting Idaho have a range of incomes but skew affluent. One-third (35%) had annual pre-tax household income of $100,000- $ 199,999. A little more than one-fifth (22%) earned $50,000-99,999. People reporting under $50,000 accounted for 16%, and those earning $200,000 or more annually accounted for the remaining 27%.
The bulk of Idaho ski area visits, 58%, were made by season passholders. Daily and multi-day passes accounted for 35% of visits, with off-duty employee visits and comp tickets at 4% and 3%, respectively.
Nearly three-quarters of visitors (71%) used alpine equipment, while 25% rode snowboards. Other equipment, such as alpine touring and snowbikes, accounted for 2%, and 2% of visitors used telemark gear.
Nearly two-thirds of visits—61%—were day trips and 39% were overnighters.
Visitors to Gem State Ski Area tend to report high satisfaction with their experience. On a scale of 1-10 (with one being extremely dissatisfied and 10 being extremely satisfied), Idaho ski areas earned ratings of 9.1 in overall employee service and overall lesson experience, 8.9 in overall rental experience and overall visit satisfaction, 8.5 in overall skiing/boarding experience and quality of grooming, 8.3 in overall value for price paid, and 8.2 in overall food and beverage.
