I recently discovered a 1975 skiing article from Dallas based D Magazine. The article discussed a number of resorts and included the 1975 price of lift tickets. I thought it would be interesting to compare what tickets cost in 1975 adjusted for inflation compared to what they actually cost today.
In fairness, skiing has changed much since 1975. Modern high speed lifts allow skiers to get to the top of the mountain in a fraction of the time it took in 1975. Most chairlifts in the 70s held two to three people. Today many resorts now feature 6 pack high speed detachable lifts that go higher and faster. You can ski a lot more terrain in a single day.
Plus, snowmaking and grooming are not only more prevalent today, it's expected and expensive. Let's also discuss terrain parks. They didn't even exist in 1975.
The biggest change might be the size of resorts. Below are the trail maps of Breckenridge from 1978 and 2019. Not only is the resort 2 1/2 times larger than before, it also reaches higher into Peak 8 to offer some extreme in bounds skiing.
That being said, the cost of skiing has risen greatly in the past few decades. One must wonder if this effects the number of people who participate in the sport. Check out the cost of skiing on 1975 vs today and you decide.
1975 Lift Ticket Price Adjusted for inflation Cost of Lift Ticket in 2019
Aspen $11 $51 $159
Breckenridge $7.50 $35 $179
Copper Mtn $10 $46 $178
Crested Butte $10 $46 $120
Vail $11 $51 $199
Angel Fire $8 $37 $77
Taos $10 $46 $110
Park City $9 $42 $169
Breckenridge Trail Map 1978
Breckenridge Trail Map 2019
Our 2019 Skiing Podcast
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