Ski Tourism, U.S.

Ski tourism appeals to travelers who arrange skiing and other snow activities as the core of their vacations. These tourists are served by businesses with skiing and snow sports as their core specialties. Tourists planning this type of vacation typically head to destinations ranging from basic recreational ski areas to large ski resorts. Although the simpler areas exist within a destination, resorts are more often positioned as the destination. This means they include a variety of non-ski amenities to serve a wider tourist segment.

Whether the destination is a small ski area or a large ski resort, what almost always determines the location are its climatic and physiographic factors (with the exception of artificial and indoor slopes). Higher altitudes and latitudes mean the more suitable terrain. ...