Colorado Ski Country USAs (CSCUSA) 21 member resorts saw total skier visits increase 1.3 percent from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, but remained 4.2 percent below the level seen during the comparable year-to-date period ended Feb. 28, 2012.
After a slow start to the season, the second period brought welcome regular snowfall throughout the state and saw skiers turning out in greater numbers, explained Melanie Mills, President and CEO Colorado Ski Country USA. There was lots of pent-up-demand after a dry start to the season and all three holidays during the second period, New Years, MLK Weekend, and Presidents Weekend, performed well.
Consistent snowstorms that materialized after the first of the year created a boost in visitation but failed to nudge season-to-date skier totals ahead of the same point in time last season. For the 2012/13 season to date, visitation at CSCUSA resorts was down 4.2 percent compared to the same time last season, defined as opening day through February 28. While season-to-date numbers havent caught up with last year yet, guests are visiting resorts and taking advantage of all they have to offer as resorts are seeing increased spending in restaurants, ski school, shops and other ancillary businesses.
Colorado has a solid two months left in ski season and resorts are optimistic for a favorable spring. Spring break business is encouraging, as are lodging numbers, and the Easter holiday is well positioned for late season visitors, said Mills.
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.
