SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah’s 15 ski resorts — including the nation’s largest resort, Park City — brought in nearly $2 billion from out-of-state visitors in the 2022/23 ski season.
With 11 of Utah’s ski resorts located less than an hour from Salt Lake International Airport and some of the best snow in the world, it’s no wonder Utah is a well-known destination in the industry.
Utah’s reputation as a skier’s paradise lures in huge numbers of visitors — who also bring their wallets.
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In the 2022/23 ski season, nonresident visitor spending amounted to a whopping $1.94 billion, according to new data from the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. This figure translates to $197.9 million in state and local tax revenue.
There were 7.1 million skier days in the season, with nearly 26,000 direct jobs making it possible for that to happen.
Utah’s foothold in the ski industry is undeniable, with less than half of all skiers and snowboarders at Utah resorts actually residing in the state. In fact, 44% of all skiers and boarders hitting the slopes in the Beehive State live in Utah.
The other 56% is divvied up as follows, according to the data:
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8% from California
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4% from New York
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3% from Florida
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2% from Colorado
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2% international
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34% from rest of U.S.
And they’re spending more too.
In the 2022/23 season, Utah skiers spent $694 million compared to the $1.94 billion that visitors spent. This may not come as a surprise, but how exactly are Utah’s tourists spending their money?
A lot goes into travel costs, especially when you’re looking to ski — lift passes, equipment rentals, lodging, food, shopping, ski lessons, auto rentals, etc.
And with money clearly a factor, the average age of Utah’s ski visitor in the season was 48 years old.
Was it worth it for them?
Alta ski area saw a record-breaking 903″ of snowfall in the 2022/23 season. So, here’s to hoping for more great seasons ahead, and letting nature — with plenty of help from Utah residents — continue to provide a backbone for the state’s economy.
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