UTAH RELEASES SKIER VISIT NUMBERS

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05 June 2012

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SAM Magazine—June 5, 2012—The Utah ski and snowboard industry announced 3,802,536 million skier day visits during the 2011-12 winter season, down 10 percent from the previous season's 4,223,064. Low snow totals plaguing resorts nationwide and the persistence of a wavering economy are credited for the decrease at Utah ski and snowboard resorts this season. As snow totals have accumulated well above the state's 500 annual inch average the past four seasons, this year's below average snowfall didn't measure up. SAM Magazine—June 5, 2012—The Utah ski and snowboard industry announced 3,802,536 million skier day visits during the 2011-12 winter season, down 10 percent from the previous season's 4,223,064. Low snow totals plaguing resorts nationwide and the persistence of a wavering economy are credited for the decrease at Utah ski and snowboard resorts this season. As snow totals have accumulated well above the state's 500 annual inch average the past four seasons, this year's below average snowfall didn't measure up. “Utah ski and snowboard resorts did an exceptional job compensating for the lack of early season snow with a record level of snowmaking,” noted Ski Utah President Nathan Rafferty. “Unfortunately, by the time Mother Nature joined the effort many consumers had already turned their attention away from skiing and snowboarding.” Ski Utah also observed that while participation in on-snow activities declined this season, many complementary businesses, such as restaurants and shops, reported steady to strong business indicating many visitors supplemented their vacations with other activities. Total Utah statewide skier days for the past 10 years are as follows:

Season	Skier Days	Rank
2011-12	3,802,536	8
2010-11	4,223,064	2
2009-10	4,048,153	5
2008-09	3,972,984	6
2007-08	4,249,190	1
2006-07	4,082,094	3
2005-06	4,062,188	4
2004-05	3,895,578	7
2003-04	3,429,190	9
2002-03	3,141,212	11

For a complete history of Utah's skier days visit www.skiutah.com/media/story_starters/utah-skier-days-table