SAM Magazine--January 20, 2013--Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) reported Friday that total skier/snowboarder visits at its 21 member resorts decreased 11.5 percent during the first period of the 2012/13 ski season, defined as opening day through December 31, 2012, compared to the same period last year. Vail Resorts' holdings are not included in these tallies as they are not members.

SAM Magazine--January 20, 2013--Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) reported Friday that total skier/snowboarder visits at its 21 member resorts decreased 11.5 percent during the first period of the 2012/13 ski season, defined as opening day through December 31, 2012, compared to the same period last year. Vail Resorts' holdings are not included in these tallies as they are not members.

Several factors contributed to the first period totals, most notably the variable snow conditions and a few late openings. “First period is largely fueled by in-state visitors, and an unseasonably warm October and November kept many Coloradans from tallying lots of ski days,” says Melanie Mills, president and CEO of CSCUSA. “Snow did not arrive in earnest until mid-December, but when it came, it was in time for in-state and out-of-state guests to enjoy wonderful wintery holidays at resorts.”

Ski areas saw a strong holiday period with conditions more in line with an average year. And the weather was returning to normal by the new year, which should have a positive effect on the rest of the season. “There is some real buoyancy in the indicators for the months ahead: February and March hotel bookings are pacing ahead of last year by 3.5% and 8.6% respectively, according to MTRiP; Carnival and Easter are well-timed for visitation this year and Colorado's traditional snowier months lie ahead,” continues Mills.

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