Ipsum suspendisse vestibulum accumsan vestibulum varius elit. Curabitur consectetur placerat quam, dignissim porttitor turpis blandit a. Nullam tempor varius mauris, dictum blandit nunc. Euismod congue quisque nam, facilisi congue.
Tuesday, February 12, marked the second annual Outdoor Recreation Day at the Vermont State House, highlighting outdoor recreation’s positive impacts for Vermont — from jobs created and economic contribution to the health and wellbeing of Vermonters. More than 100 recreation advocates, including outdoor business owners, ski area managers, trail stewards, municipal and non-profit leaders gathered to showcase the benefits of outdoor recreation and urge strategic investment in the resiliency of the outdoor communities where Vermonters and visitors live, work and play.
In 2023, Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy accounted for 4.8 percent of the state’s GDP, or $2.1B annually, and 5.1 percent of the state’s workforce, according to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. Vermont ranks second only to Hawaii in percent of GDP generated by outdoor recreation. Also in 2023, Vermont saw a record $4 billion in visitor spending, largely driven by activities like skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, and camping. Skiing alone generates nearly $1B in visitor spending.
Outdoor Recreation Day, organized and co-hosted by VSAA (Ski Vermont), the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council (VTGC), Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA), Vermont Mountain Bike Alliance (VMBA), Unlikely Riders and the Kelly Brush Foundation, included coffee and lunch hour opportunities to connect with lawmakers, testimony in five committees, a press conference and a House concurrent resolution recognizing Outdoor Recreation Day and the sector’s importance read on the House floor. House members welcomed and acknowledged the advocates in attendance.
VSAA President Molly Mahar testified in front of the House Environment Committee about the ski industry’s cultural and economic contributions, ongoing initiatives to make the mountains welcoming and accessible to all, and the extensive planning, permitting and land management plans resulting in effective stewardship of the environment.
A press conference held by the Vermont Ski Areas Association (VSAA), The Vermont Trails and Greenways Council (VTGC) and Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) underscored the many benefits of recreation and highlighted the need to incentivize access to outdoor recreation through investment, the positive trends in sector economic impact analysis, the value in funding flood recovery, and the growing importance of climate resilient workforce and business adaptation. State Treasurer Mike Pieciak kicked off the event, highlighting outdoor recreation as a bright spot in Vermont’s economic future.
Steve Wright, General Manager of Jay Peak Ski Resort and VSAA Board Chair, spoke of the value of direct investment into climate adaptation to ensure ski areas can create four-season outdoor experiences.
“This is one of our snowiest seasons in recent memory, and we’re thankful that the snow keeps coming. Current conditions will help us deliver an amazing experience for guests who will visit ski areas across the state for the President’s week break. However, this season’s snow and weather has not recently been the norm, and the ski industry continues several decades of work to hone its energy efficiency and use more renewable energy. The outdoor sector and its workforce must be positioned to be climate-ready to ensure Vermont’s prosperity, jobs and natural places thrive into the future.”
