Vail Resorts' Tough Ski Season: Visits Plunge 15% in Colorado Amid Snow Drought

Broomfield-based Vail Resorts disclosed stark declines for its North American ski season through April 19, 2026, blaming historic low snowfall and warm weather hammering Colorado's iconic resorts. Skier visits dropped 14.9% year-over-year from the prior period ending April 20, 2025, worsening from a 12% dip reported as of March 1. Total lift revenue fell 5.6%, with ancillary streams suffering too: ski school down 12%, dining revenue off 11.7%, and retail/rental sales declining 6.6%.

CEO Rob Katz pinpointed the 'record low snowfall and historically warm temperatures across much of the West' as culprits, echoing earlier warnings from January when Vail slashed its 2026 earnings outlook after snowpack hit record lows. Through January 4, visits had already cratered nearly 20%, ski school revenue plunged 14.9%, and dining dropped almost 16%. Colorado resorts including Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Beaver Creek bore the brunt, with the warm, snow-starved winter driving visitors away statewide.

The downturn rippled through pass sales, with early 2026-27 season passes also down, compounding profit cuts for the Denver-area giant that dominates Colorado skiing. Industry voices like Davie noted the sector's overall strength despite the hit, as resorts adapted to climate pressures in the Rockies. Vail's report underscores growing weather vulnerabilities for Colorado's $5 billion ski economy, reliant on consistent powder from the Tenmile Range to the Gore.