Colorado Reports Strong Early Season Skier Visits

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26 January 2015

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SAM Magazine—Denver, Jan. 26, 2015—Total skier and snowboarder visits at 21 Colorado resorts during the first part of the season were one percent shy of last year's record pace, according to Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA). The data reflects visits from Oct. 17 through Dec. 31, 2014.

Last season's early season skier and snowboarder visits were more than 20 percent up over the preceding season's. Additionally, 2014-15 first period skier visits, like last season's first period skier visits, exceeded the five-year first period average, this year by nearly 4 percent.

“Many in-state skiers didn't head to the slopes at the beginning of the season, a time when most visitation is our Colorado based skiers and riders,” said Melanie Mills, president and CEO of CSCUSA. “It wasn't until mid-December that Colorado saw significant snowfall that arrived in abundance and in time for resort guests from out-of-state, as well as in-state, to enjoy wintry holidays.”

Mills added that visitation over the Christmas holiday was strong with good snow conditions and resorts reporting increased spending across ancillary businesses.

Momentum from last season and a number of high profile international ski and snowboard events happening in Colorado this winter are keeping optimism and excitement high for the months ahead, she said.

“Resort calendars are teeming with exciting events and we're seeing a lot of confidence in the indicators for the season in front of us: strong hotel bookings as we look to spring, a well-timed Easter holiday for ski vacations, and Colorado's traditionally snowier months are still ahead,” Mills said.