Ski Industry Sends Letter to Lawmakers Strongly Opposing Permanent Daylight Savings Time

Back in July, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to end the United States’ long practice of daylight saving time. 

The legislation, titled the Sunshine Protection Act, would end the twice-yearly clock change.

Now, it just needs to pass the Senate vote before it can become law. 

Many people think this is a great idea. Permanent daylight saving time would provide longer evening daylight for outdoor recreation, family time, shopping, dining, and tourism, while reducing the disruption of changing clocks twice a year, potentially improving safety during evening commutes and giving people more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

However, the ski industry disagrees.

USA Today reported that on September 10, a coalition representing 115 ski areas in 10 states warned senators that permanent daylight saving time would have detrimental effects on the ski industry. The letter came from resort companies Alterra Mountain Company and POWDR and included the trade groups of Ski Utah, Colorado Ski Country USA, Ski Vermont, Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association, and Ski California.

The letter warned that the effects would be particularly severe in the Mountain West and New England, noting that sunrises could occur after 8 a.m. in some areas, leaving ski patrollers, lift mechanics, snowmakers, and groomers working in darkness during critical morning operations. Tasks such as avalanche mitigation, lift inspections, snowmaking, and trail grooming require daylight and cannot simply be pushed later without affecting the rest of the day’s schedule. Resort operators say later sunrises could delay lift openings, reducing valuable operating hours during the heart of ski season and potentially hurting nearby hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that depend on winter tourism.

• Related: If Permanent Daylight Saving Time is Passed, How Would That Affect the Ski Industry?

Essentially, it comes down to worker safety and daily operations. Because resorts cannot safely open until after certain tasks are completed, later sunrises could delay lift openings and reduce valuable operating hours during peak ski season. Operators also say simply shifting schedules later is difficult because ski areas are connected to school, child care, transportation, and tourism schedules, potentially affecting nearby hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.

Why Not Permanent Standard Time?

Permanent standard time would provide more daylight in the morning and earlier sunrises in winter, which sleep researchers argue better aligns with the body’s natural circadian rhythm. While many Americans in general want to end the annoying twice-yearly clock changes, there is much less agreement over whether the country should adopt permanent daylight saving time or permanent standard time.

An October 2025 poll showed that only 12% of the population favors the current system of changing the clocks twice a year. Fifty-six percent prefer daylight saving time all year, and 42% prefer standard time. Supporters of standard time point to potential sleep and health benefits, while supporters of daylight saving time prefer the longer, brighter evenings. The debate has left lawmakers weighing competing concerns from businesses, health experts, and now the ski industry.

• Related: Daylight Saving Time… “How Is This Still a Thing?”

Ultimately, the debate over permanent daylight saving time is about more than simply moving the clocks forward or back. Longer evening daylight may appeal to many Americans, but darker winter mornings could create real challenges for ski areas and the workers who prepare mountains for opening each day. With the Senate still needing to act, the future of America’s clocks and ski resort operations remains uncertain.