Vail Resorts reports tough winter amid low snowfall

Skier visits down 11.9% season-over-season through March 1, forcing company to slash profit forecasts.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:48am

Vail Resorts, one of the largest ski resort operators in the U.S., is reporting a challenging winter season due to low snowfall in the Mountain States region where many of its resorts are located. The company has seen a 11.9% drop in season-to-date skier visits compared to the previous year, forcing it to slash its initial net income forecast from $201 million-$276 million down to $144 million-$190 million.

Why it matters

Vail Resorts is a dominant player in the ski industry, controlling a large portion of the most popular ski destinations in the U.S. Its financial performance is seen as a bellwether for the overall health of the ski industry, which is heavily dependent on consistent snowfall and favorable winter weather conditions.

The details

The low snowfall levels in the Mountain States region, where many of Vail's resorts are located, have led to a significant 11.9% drop in season-to-date skier visits compared to the previous year. This sharp decline in business has forced the company to revise its initial net income forecast for the year from a range of $201 million to $276 million down to $144 million to $190 million.

  • The performance data is through March 1, 2026.
  • Vail Resorts' initial net income forecast was for the full 2026 fiscal year.

The players

Vail Resorts

One of the two companies that control a large portion of ski and snowboarding resorts in the United States.

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The takeaway

Vail Resorts' struggles this winter highlight the vulnerability of the ski industry to the impacts of climate change and inconsistent snowfall patterns. As one of the largest players in the sector, Vail's financial performance is a bellwether for the overall health of the industry, which may need to adapt to a future with less reliable winter weather conditions.