Why Ski Resorts Can't Solve Their Crowd Problem
Mar 6, 2025 · 9:47
Phil Andrews argues Vail Resorts' Epic Pass has hit a growth ceiling: every extra skier worsens the experience, and resorts like Breckenridge can barely expand. Vail owns only the base areas and parking — the mountains belong to the U.S. government — so an approved 334-unit Breckenridge Grand Vacations project was cut to 190 condos and 36 hotel rooms after resident pushback, and Park City canceled two lift upgrades. About 20% of revenue rides on the two weeks around Christmas, so resorts lean on snowmaking at $1,000–$2,500 per acre. Vail's spread-out resorts hedge bad snow years, unlike American Ski Company, which collapsed after poor 1999–2001 seasons. After record 2022–23 revenue, Vail raised Epic Pass prices 8%, then sold 2% fewer passes for the first time — a negative network effect.
