Field reference
U.S. ski industry statistics
A clear, citable snapshot of the 2025–26 U.S. ski season, from snowsports visits and snowfall to lift investment and access trends.
Last updated November 9, 2026. Statistics reflect the National Ski Areas Association’s preliminary 2025–26 season release, published May 5, 2026.
52.6M
snowsports visits
U.S. ski areas recorded an estimated 52.6 million snowsports visits in 2025–26.
Source: NSAA, May 5, 2026≈9M
fewer visits than last season
The preliminary total was approximately 9 million visits below 2024–25, following challenging weather across much of the West.
Source: NSAA, May 5, 202632nd
of 48 seasons on record
The 2025–26 total ranked 32nd among the 48 seasons NSAA has tracked since 1978–79.
Source: NSAA, May 5, 20263.2M
Pacific Northwest visits
The Pacific Northwest recorded 3.2 million visits during a season that brought especially difficult Western conditions.
Source: NSAA, May 5, 202620.1M
Rocky Mountain visits
The Rocky Mountain region led the nation with 20.1 million snowsports visits in 2025–26.
Source: NSAA, May 5, 2026112 in.
average snowfall
Average snowfall at U.S. ski areas was 112 inches, compared with a 10-year average of 169 inches.
Source: NSAA, May 5, 2026$569.3M
capital investment
Reporting ski areas invested $569.3 million in capital expenditures despite the challenging winter.
Source: NSAA, May 5, 202697
new or upgraded lifts
Ski areas reported 45 new lifts and 52 lift upgrades, for 97 improvements in total.
Source: NSAA, May 5, 202649%
of visits on season passes
Season passes represented 49% of visits nationally, while daily and multi-day tickets made up 31%.
Source: NSAA, May 5, 2026How to read these numbers
Visits show demand. Conditions show why the right lens still matters.
A snowsports visit counts each time one person uses a lift ticket or pass at a ski area, not the number of individual people who rode that season. That distinction matters when comparing season-pass behavior with day-ticket sales.
For riders, the practical takeaway is simple: conditions vary by region, elevation, and hour. A goggle setup with compatible lens options gives you more room to respond when the mountain changes its mind.
Explore magnetic ski gogglesKeep learning
Turn changing conditions into a better lens plan.
Methodology and sources
Built to be checked, quoted, and linked.
Every statistic above comes from the National Ski Areas Association’s May 5, 2026 release, “U.S. Ski Industry Reports Visitor Data from 2025–26 Season.” NSAA describes the visit total as preliminary, and defines a snowsports visit as each time an individual uses a lift ticket or pass at a ski area. Ascent has kept the original wording and measurement context where it affects interpretation.
- National Ski Areas Association, 2025–26 season release, May 5, 2026
- National Ski Areas Association industry statistics hub
Cite this page
Ascent Eyewear. “U.S. Ski Industry Statistics: 2025–26 Season.” Updated November 9, 2026. https://ascenteyewear.com/pages/ski-industry-statistics