A Vail Resorts investor report shows how Colorado’s statewide, all-time low snowpack has impacted the ski industry. At only 58% of the typical snowpack, Vail Resorts is still limiting ski operations with only three months left before spring shutdowns.
As of January 20, 2025, of the 947 Vail Resorts–owned trails in Colorado, only 454 are currently open, totaling a mere 48%. At Breckenridge, 72 of 193 trails are open (37%). At Keystone, 82 of 142 trails are open (58%). At Vail, 165 of 277 trails are open (60%), and at Crested Butte, 89 of 168 trails are open (53%). And of course, there’s Beaver Creek, which has just 46 of 167 trails open—the lowest share among the group at just 31%.
With the lack of open terrain, the trails that are open are experiencing increased traffic, which often leads to less fresh snow, icier conditions, a higher risk of ski damage, and an increased risk of injury. This directly correlates with a 20% decline in visits, a 14.9% decline in ski school revenue, a 15.9% decline in dining revenue, and A 6% decline in retail and rentals.
Vail Resorts has seen its stock slide by 8% amid the lack of snow over the last three months. Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz states, “We experienced one of the worst early-season snowfalls in the western U.S. in over 30 years, which limited our ability to open terrain and negatively impacted visitation and ancillary spending for both local and destination guests during the period.”
Vail Resorts’ push in recent years to get visitors on season passes, however, could provide a financial buffer during seasons like this one when snow is lacking. There is a definite incentive for those who have already purchased passes to head to the mountains despite poor conditions, having already spent the money. That said, it will be interesting to see whether the lack of snow this season has a longer-term impact on decisions to purchase season passes moving forward, as it may highlight the risks out-of-state visitors face when planning expensive trips months in advance.
If you’ve been hit by another skier, or injured on a chair lift, the experienced ski injury attorneys at Bloch Ongert can help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve. Call Bloch Ongert today at (970) 926-1700 to speak directly to an attorney. If you’ve been injured, we can help.
The information for this post was sourced from The Denver Gazette. The article can be found at https://www.denvergazette.com/outtherecolorado/2026/01/20/vail-resorts-reports-20-drop-in-skier-visits-with-just-48-of-runs-open-at-colorado-spots/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=OutThere%20Colorado%20Here%20%20Now%2012026&utm_content=OutThere%20Colorado%20Here%20%20Now%2012026+CID_476bbdf6f910db55a7cfc26ddb0d3a49&utm_source=campaign_monitor_email&utm_term=CLICK%20HERE
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