In 1975, Aspen Skiing Company sought to raise lift ticket prices from $10 to $12, requiring approval from the US Forest Service due to permits on public land. After public opposition and intervention by U.S. Sen. Floyd Haskell, the Forest Service limited the increase to 10%, setting the price at $11.

Adjusted for inflation, this equals about $66 in 2026 dollars, while today’s Aspen one-day ticket costs $254. Vail, with similar 1970s pricing, now charges up to $356—a 436% increase from inflation-adjusted 1975 rates. Although the Forest Service retains legal authority to regulate prices on public land, its oversight has weakened due to industry deregulation starting under President Jimmy Carter.

Historically, federal programs like the WPA and CCC developed early ski areas such as Berthoud Pass and Winter Park, with the latter still city-owned. Post-WWII growth, fueled by returning 10th Mountain Division soldiers, led to modernization with chairlifts and T-bars. While the government exited direct operation, it maintained regulatory oversight—until recent decades saw declining enforcement despite rising costs and industry consolidation.