Air quality is generally good due to the elevation being above the valley's inversion layer. The area is host to 2.4 million visitors a year, primarily part-time vacation homeowners and their guests. There are 400 guestrooms in hotels, motels and Bed and Breakfasts for overnight visitors as well as 500 cabins, which are rented out on a short-term basis. Ski packages, Weddings and Eco-Tourism are major sources of visitor growth. The area is also popular for business conferences.
Summer is the most popular tourist season with winter usage growing.
There are virtually no research and development, manufacturing, wholesaling or distribution employers in the Arrowhead area. These types of businesses are located in the Valley below, a 30 to 60 minute drive for mountain residents. Home construction in the area is about 200 units a year. This, along with a significant repair and remodel business generates employment for about 400. A partial listing of retail establishments in the Arrowhead area includes 35 restaurants, a growing collection of factory outlet stores, numerous antique and gift stores and a lumberyard.