MONTPELIER, Vt. (June 5, 2025) – Ski Vermont’s 56th Annual Meeting at Sugarbush Resort celebrated a 1.1% increase in skier visits, totaling 4.16 million for the 2024–25 season—surpassing regional averages and reinforcing Vermont’s status as the top ski state in the East. Average snowfall reached 218 inches, with ski areas operating an average of 117 days.
Cross-country skiing also surged, up 37% from last season with 322,353 visits, thanks to a consistently cold winter. Meeting highlights included panels on workforce development, outdoor recreation strategy, and mental health in the ski industry.
The event recognized long-serving industry professionals with Career Achievement Awards and honored Kelly Pawlak with an Industry Achievement Award. Despite late-season weather setbacks and declining Canadian visitation, the industry remains strong, resilient, and committed to community investment and inclusive outdoor access.
Burke Mountain Resort has appointed veteran ski executive Tom Day as Interim General Manager, marking his fourth return from retirement to lead a ski area through a major transition. The announcement comes as the resort emerges from nine years of receivership under new ownership. Day joins a strengthened leadership team including newly hired CFO Keith Fortier and longtime GM Kevin Mack, now Vice President of Transition Services. The team is backed by a lineup of industry consultants aimed at solidifying Burke’s long-term vision and operational success.
Stratton Mountain Resort has earned the 2025 Best Overall Safety Program Award from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), marking its ninth national safety recognition. This year’s award highlights Stratton’s commitment to a culture of safety, with programs that span guest education, employee training, youth outreach, and mental health awareness. Key efforts included interactive safety tools for kids, creative public safety events, enhanced incident prevention protocols, and robust mental health initiatives, such as suicide prevention training and accessible counseling. Resort leadership emphasized that expanding the definition of safety to include mental well-being was a direct response to employee feedback, reinforcing Stratton’s holistic approach to resort safety.
After nearly a decade in receivership, Burke Mountain is turning the page with new ownership, major investments in snowmaking and infrastructure, and a bold vision to become a premier year-round destination in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.
Vermont ski areas lead in sustainability with 750+ efficiency projects since 2000, saving over 1 billion kWh and reinforcing the state's legacy of environmental stewardship.
In early March, Ski Vermont President Molly Mahar joined more than 80 national companies and organizations at Ceres LEAD on a Clean Economy 2025 in Washington, D.C., advocating for the continuation of clean energy and electric vehicle tax credits. Representing Vermont’s winter tourism economy, Mahar joined leaders from Vail, Alterra, Boyne, and other ski industry stakeholders to highlight how federal clean economy policies support business growth, climate resilience, and energy security.
Vermont’s strong sense of community is at the heart of a statewide ski safety initiative led by the Snow Angel Foundation in partnership with Ski Vermont. For two seasons, Founder Chauncy Johnson has traveled to nearly every alpine ski area in the state, engaging with visitors, mountain staff, race teams, and students to promote collision awareness and responsible skiing.
Killington Resort President and CEO Mike Solimano has been honored with the 2024 U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Award by the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance. Recognized for his visionary leadership and transformative impact on Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy, Solimano has redefined Killington as a year-round, community-driven destination.
This winter, Vermont’s historic Brattleboro Ski Hill—one of the first to offer lift service in the state—celebrated a revitalizing partnership with Stratton Mountain Resort. In a nod to the hill’s community-driven mission and affordable pricing, Stratton provided two high-efficiency HKD snow guns to bolster early-season snow coverage. Thanks to this support and local dedication, Brattleboro Ski Hill opened for the season on December 31st, continuing its legacy of making skiing accessible to all.
Ski Vermont President Molly Mahar has been elected Chair of the Vermont Travel and Recreation Council, bringing ski industry expertise to a key role shaping statewide tourism and outdoor policy.
Press Release: Jay Peak Resort Introduces the All-New Sunday Funday Women’s Ski & Ride Camp
Press Release: Pico Mountain opens for the 2024/25 season on December 13th
Press Release: Vermont Governor’s Council To Fund Winter Outdoor Sports Activities for Underserved Youth
Press Release: Jay Peak Resort to Open Early for Season Passholders, Mission Affordable Passholders, and Teammates.
Press Release: Killington Receives Positive Snow Control for Audi FIS Ski World Cup Races Nov. 30-Dec. 1
Press Release: Killington Resort Opens Nov. 14th, 2024 as an independent ski area
Press Release: Killington Resort to Replace Superstar Quad with Six-Passenger Lift
A good deal is exciting; a great day of skiing is even better. So when there’s a deal on a great day of skiing—that’s something that’ll make anyone slide downhill with a smile. Vermont’s ski areas understand the value of hard-earned bucks and offer a multitude of special offers, packages and other incentives that help lower the price tag for those looking to build some priceless memories on the mountain.
Vermont ski areas are always looking for new ways to provide flake-filled fun for visitors. This season is no different with updates to lodging, lifts, and further expansion of snowmaking, new activities, and sustainability programs at areas across the state.
Snowmaking has come a long way (even in the past few years), and Vermont’s snowmakers are on the leading edge of snowmaking technology with decades of experience and a constant desire to increased efficiency and make more with less.
Vermont’s alpine ski areas reported 4.1 million skier visits for 2023-24, down less than half a percentage point from the 2022-23 season. Visitation this season remains 4 percent above Vermont’s 10-year average and outpaces a 6.2 percent decrease in Northeast region visits (12.4 million) and a 6.6 percent decrease in national visits (60.4 million).
Join members, partners, and industry professionals at for VSAA's 56th Annual Meeting at Sugarbush Resort, June 4-5, 2025.
While the few ski areas affected by the 2023 floods recovered quickly, many local family farms that suffered catastrophic damage are fighting for survival. Many farms endured the loss of essential equipment, livestock feed, and entire harvests that are required to fund the next season’s operations. Vermont ski areas are asking you to join us in supporting the local family farms that make Vermont the special place it is. Please join us in supporting our neighbors.
Fifth graders can access more than 90 days of skiing and riding at participating alpine and cross-country ski areas for a $30 administration fee.
More than the mountains are green in Vermont. Ski areas across the state have a long history of improving sustainability and protecting the environment that brings happiness to residents and visitors alike.
