Vermont Outdoor Economy Tops $2.2 Billion
State estimates show outdoor recreation generated roughly $2.2 billion in 2024 even as tourism dipped about 2% in 2025.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Economic Indicators
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Vermont State officials estimated the outdoor economy, which includes ski resorts, bike shops and inns, generated roughly $2.2 billion for the state in 2024. Vermont's tourism economy showed a roughly 2% dip in 2025 from 2024.
Why it matters
The figures show how central outdoor recreation is to Vermont's economy and how sensitive it is to shifts in visitor flow. Tensions with Canada are attributed as the largest driver of the 2025 tourism decline.
The state's outdoor economy estimate of roughly $2.2 billion for 2024 is set against a roughly 2% decline in tourism activity in 2025 relative to 2024. The extraction does not detail the methodology behind the estimate or whether the decline affected outdoor recreation specifically.
The players
Orvis
Orvis is a 170-year-old outfitter based in Manchester, Vermont, known for fly fishing equipment and outdoor apparel.
The details
The Vermont outdoor economy includes ski resorts, bike shops and inns. Outfitter Orvis, a 170-year-old company based in Manchester, announced it would close 36 locations last year and attributed a round of layoffs to tariffs.
Timeline
2024: Vermont outdoor economy generated roughly $2.2 billion.
2025: Tourism economy dipped roughly 2% from 2024.
Last year (2025): Orvis announced closure of 36 locations.
Summer 2026: A Glens Falls, New York papermill stopped accepting Vermont pulpwood.
Thursday, November 2026: Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit held in Ludlow.
Economic Indicators
The Vermont figures sit against the recent federal tariff disputes that Orvis cited for its layoffs, showing how trade policy is now feeding directly into the state's outdoor and tourism sectors. The extraction does not quantify how far tariff costs have spread beyond this single retailer.
For Vermonters working in ski resorts, bike shops and inns, the tourism dip and retail closures translate into fewer shifts and tighter household budgets. Tariff-driven price increases on imported outdoor gear may also raise what local buyers pay for equipment.
The takeaway
Vermont's outdoor economy is a major source of state revenue, and its exposure to tariffs and cross-border tourism shifts makes it worth watching closely. Residents and businesses can track state economic indicators to gauge how these trends develop.
Further reading
Track the latest figures in the Economic Indicators section for context on Vermont's tourism and outdoor trends.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Valley News.
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