Wyoming Winter Sports Fuel 15% Tourism Revenue Boom in Jackson Hole

Wyoming's winter tourism exploded this season, with state officials reporting a 15% revenue surge driven by snowmobilers, skiers and a burgeoning ice climbing scene, particularly boosting Jackson Hole and the Cody region. The Wyoming Office of Tourism's "Modern Explorers" campaign, running through February 2026 with a $350,000 budget, has spotlighted skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and ice climbing, drawing record crowds to Teton County where visitor spending jumped 44.6% from 2019 to 2025.[2][5] At Rio Shoshone near Cody, stable ice formations have made 2026 a banner year for ice climbing, with hotel occupancy hitting highs in January and a 15% rise in mountain guide licenses issued.[1] The economic impact is staggering: Visitor spending reached a record $5 billion in 2025, up significantly from prior years, while direct travel-generated tax revenue climbed $14.5 million from 2024.[5][6][7] Outdoor recreation contributed $2.3 billion to Wyoming's GDP in 2024—4.5% of the state's total and fifth-highest nationally—supporting over 16,500 jobs, with snow activities like snowmobiling ranking among top earners alongside hunting and RVing.[3][4] Teton County's travel taxes soared 72.5% since 2019, funding local infrastructure amid the boom.[5] Local outfits in Jackson Hole and Cody are thriving, from retail and restaurants to fuel services and small equipment firms serving climbers and riders. The University of Wyoming’s Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute confirmed outdoor recreation's 0.5% GDP growth from 2023 to 2024, signaling sustained momentum into 2026.[4] State investments in safety, trails and sustainability are cementing Wyoming's status as a global winter adventure hub, delivering financial relief and year-round economic diversification.[1]