Mountain and ski resorts market seen topping $28 billion by 2030

The mountain and ski resorts market is projected to reach $28.29 billion by 2030, driven by adventure tourism, luxury travel and infrastructure investment. Vail Resorts led the market in 2025 with a 15% share, while North America is expected to remain the largest regional market.

Why it matters: - The mountain and ski resorts market is on track to become a larger piece of global travel spending, with growth tied to winter sports, premium leisure, and year-round mountain tourism. - The sector’s expansion could benefit resort operators, equipment suppliers, booking platforms, and regional destinations that invest in snowmaking, transport, and visitor services. - The market is projected to account for about 2% of the broader hotel and other travel accommodation market by 2030.

What happened: - The Business Research Company said the mountain and ski resorts market is projected to reach $28.29 billion by 2030. - The market is expected to grow at a 12% compound annual growth rate through 2030. - Vail Resorts Inc. was the top company worldwide in 2025, with a 15% share of the market. - The ten largest companies accounted for 21% of total revenue in 2025, showing a moderately fragmented market.

The details: - The report said mountain and ski resorts offer skiing, trekking, rides, sledding, snowmobiling, and related activities. - Skiing is expected to be the largest service segment by 2030, at 37% of the market, or about $10 billion. - The market’s service mix also includes age groups, consumer orientation, booking channels, and domestic and international travelers. - North America is projected to remain the largest regional market at $10 billion by 2030, up from $6 billion in 2025. - The United States is forecast to be the largest national market at $9 billion in 2030, compared with $5 billion in 2025. - The report links North American growth to established ski destinations, higher winter sports participation, infrastructure investment, snowmaking technology, and demand for premium mountain tourism. - The market is expected to benefit from rising interest in adventure tourism, luxury and wellness travel, and government spending on winter sports infrastructure. - The report says skiing, trekking, rides, sledding, snowmobiling, and other services will collectively add more than $11.5 billion by 2030. - Skiing alone is projected to grow by $5 billion from 2025 to 2030.

Between the lines: - The market remains concentrated around a handful of major operators, but not enough to qualify as highly consolidated. - That leaves room for regional resorts and niche operators that can differentiate through sustainability, digital booking, and all-season activities. - Artificial intelligence is becoming part of the guest experience, as resorts look for ways to personalize service and reduce friction. - In March 2024, Vail Resorts introduced “my epic assistant” in the My Epic app, an AI-driven concierge tool that provides real-time information, customized recommendations, and booking help.

What's next: - Resort operators are likely to keep investing in infrastructure upgrades, partnerships, and digital tools as they compete for premium and experience-driven travelers. - Sustainable development, advanced resort technology, and broader adventure offerings are expected to remain key strategies through 2030. - The report also points to continued growth in all-season mountain tourism, not just winter skiing.

The bottom line: - Mountain and ski resorts are moving from a seasonal niche to a broader travel category, with growth fueled by experience-led tourism, premium amenities, and technology-enabled service.