Skiing Facilities NAICS 713920

Jun 24, 2026 - Summer Lodging Outpaces Last Year

• As ski resorts prepare for the 2026–27 winter season, strong summer tourism is helping offset the effects of a weaker 2025–26 winter, according to the latest DestiMetrics Market Briefing from Inntopia in Ski Area Management. Lodging demand at 17 western mountain destinations remains healthy, with summer occupancy up 3.7% year over year, average daily room rates rising 6.4%, and projected lodging revenue increasing 10.3%. Luxury properties continue to outperform, posting a 7.6% gain in occupancy and a 14.6% increase in revenue. However, resort operators face potential headwinds as higher travel costs could dampen visitation later in the summer. Inflation reached 4.2% in May, while gasoline prices increased 40.5% and airfares rose 26.7% from a year earlier, potentially reducing discretionary travel spending. Ski facilities that diversify with year-round recreation, events, and summer tourism are better positioned to sustain revenue despite higher travel costs and ongoing economic uncertainty.
• US ski resorts may face a more cautious consumer environment as inflation concerns and weaker consumer confidence weigh on discretionary spending. The Conference Board reported that consumer confidence slipped to 93.1 in May, while two-thirds of consumers said they were cutting back on spending due to rising prices. Consumers increasingly plan to economize on discretionary purchases, including clothing, footwear, and hobby-related items, while concerns about recession risk have risen. However, there are positive signs for the industry: travel intentions increased in May, consumers continue to favor domestic destinations, and expected spending on hotels and transportation for personal travel moved higher. For ski resorts, this suggests demand may remain supported by destination travel and higher-income households, but operators could face pressure on lift ticket sales, equipment purchases, lessons, and ancillary spending as consumers become more selective with discretionary expenditures.

• Global skier visits reached a record 399 million in the 2024–25 season, up 7.8% year over year and surpassing the prior peak of 392 million, signaling strong recovery and demand for skiing, including in the US, which exceeded pre-Covid averages, according to a report in Ski Area Management Magazine. Large and major resorts captured the majority of visits (75% combined), reinforcing scale advantages, per data from the International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism. However, rising ticket prices and a maturing season-pass model, particularly in the US, may begin to pressure revenue growth. Notably, visitation remained strong despite below-average snowfall, highlighting the importance of snowmaking and operational investment. For the US skiing industry, demand remains resilient, but operators may need to balance pricing strategies, invest in snow reliability, and adapt pass models to sustain growth and profitability.
• The US ski industry returned to pre-Covid lift construction levels in 2025 as tariffs and inflation weighed on capital spending, according to a survey reported by Ski Area Management. North American resorts installed 37 new aerial lifts, with installed vertical transport feet per hour (VTFH) down 16% year over year, led by declines in the West and Canada. More than half of installations were fixed-grip lifts, while detachables fell to 18 from 25, bubbles to 1 from 4, and loading conveyors to 4 from 10, signaling a shift toward lower-cost, utilitarian investments. Tariffs added volatility and cost pressure: Canadian goods were hit with tariffs of up to 35%, EU products 20% (later reduced to 15%), Switzerland as high as 39%, and Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs doubled to 50%, affecting haul ropes and components. Manufacturers cited steel price increases of 30–40% on some parts since 2020. With companies expecting 2026 installations to decline further, resorts face continued cost pressure and delayed project timelines.