Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) reported today that total skier 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.
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, said 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. Resorts started the New Year reaping benefits of the December storms, which adds to the energy and excitement of skiers in Colorado and bodes well for the rest of the season.
Ski areas saw a strong holiday period with conditions more in line with an average year. Resorts started the New Year reaping benefits of the December storms, which adds to the energy and excitement of skiers in Colorado and bodes well for 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 ski visitation this year and Colorados traditional snowier months lie ahead, continued Mills.
Colorado has one of the longest ski seasons that often stretches late into spring.
Colorado has one of the longest ski seasons that often stretches late into spring.
Were optimistic that some of the best skiing of the season is still ahead of us, commented Mills. We are encouraged by early January numbers and spring bookings, and our resorts are looking forward to an exciting and busy rest of the season.
Skier visits are the metric used to track participation in skiing and snowboarding. A skier visit represents a person participating in the sport of skiing or snowboarding for any part of one day at a mountain resort.
Skier visits are the metric used to track participation in skiing and snowboarding. A skier visit represents a person participating in the sport of skiing or snowboarding for any part of one day at a mountain resort.
Colorado Ski Country does not report on ski visits to Vail Resorts four Colorado properties, which include Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckinridge and Keystone.
