A low snow year? Cue the doom-and-gloom headlines. But here’s the reality: the sky isn’t falling - literally, we don't have our traditional amount of snow, or figuratively, we're going to be okay despite the powder days we have become used to. Sure, snowpack is lower than average, and our local resorts are continuing to make snow and do their best, and the most important thing is that the Vail Valley economy is built to withstand weather variability.

Resort trends show resilience. Guests are still coming, with a dip in January and strength in Feburary, March, and April. Many guests are embracing activities beyond skiing: think snowshoeing, Nordic trails, spa experiences, shopping, ice skating, and off-mountain attractions. Our resort communities and ski mountains are innovating with new amenities, pop-up events, guest DJ's, and enhanced guest experiences that don’t depend solely on powder days.

Local businesses feel the impact, but our diverse array of activities help. Eagle County Regional Airport continues its growth trend, bringing visitors direct to Eagle County and providing a much better guest experience than having to drive the I-70 corridor to Denver International. And Eagle County’s workforce is nimble. Our hospitality teams, instructors, and guides are providing great guest experiences regardless of weather. 

A low snow year is a reminder: the economy here isn’t snow-dependent, it’s people-dependent. Visitors come for the mountains, the community, time with family, and the overall experience. Our lodging data shows that when resorts innovate and communities collaborate, a little less snow doesn’t translate into a big economic hit. 

So let’s enjoy the season, embrace reality, control the things we can control, and remember: skiing may depend on snow, but Eagle County’s vitality depends on adaptability, innovation, and a community ready for anything. And what we're most ready for is snow, but I digress.