Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) announced ski visitation at its 21 member resorts were up 22 percent since opening day compared to the same period of the prior year.
Significantly, this season’s first period skier visits, or thos occurring between Oct. 13, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2013, also exceeded the five-year first period average by approximately 6.7 percent.
“Riding momentum from last spring and buoyed by early season snow this fall, the season got off to a very positive start,” commented Melanie Mills, president & CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA. “While we’ve set a brisk pace there is still a lot of ski season left. With such wonderful conditions we’re optimistic that the momentum will continue.”
A deluge of early season snow across much of the state allowed several resorts to open early and open more terrain and lifts than is typically available in the beginning of the season. The heavy snow helped get the word out about ski conditions in Colorado and drove visitation around the holidays.
Occupancy at Colorado mountain resort lodging properties got a boost from early season skiers. CSCUSA, in partnership with DestiMetrics, reported certain Colorado lodging figures for the beginning of the 2013/14 ski season. Occupancy at Colorado resort lodging properties increased 11.6 percent during the October through December period of the 2013/14 ski season compared to the same time last season. Additionally, the booking pace for January and February 2014 was ahead of last year’s pace by 1.8 percent for the same time period, as of December 31, 2013.
“Excitement surrounding the early snow, combined with positive economic news, has prompted strong early season bookings in Colorado,” commented Ralf Garrison, DestiMetrics’ director. “A favorable holiday experience along with forthcoming Olympic coverage could help sustain positive momentum.”
A skier visit represents a person participating in the sport of skiing or snowboarding for any part of one day at a mountain resort.
A widespread winter storm that entered Colorado Jan. 8 has blanketed all 21 CSCUSA resorts in snow. This weather system dumped up to 31 inches in some places with more snow expected Tuesday, Jan. 14. Since the storm began late last week, CSCUSA resorts have received 20.0 inches of new snow on average; 18 resorts have recorded double-digit snow totals, and seven resorts have enjoyed two feet or more of fresh powder.
The highest snowfall totals for this storm were in the north-central areas of the state, although accumulations throughout Colorado were impressive. Copper Mountain and Steamboat have each registered 31 inches of new snow since the system entered Colorado last Wednesday, January 8, whereas Winter Park saw 27 inches, Eldora received 25 inches, Arapahoe Basin and Ski Granby Ranch measured 24 inches each, Loveland amassed 23 inches, and Howelsen Hill counted 14.5 inches.
Further south and west, the storm system still packed a powdery punch. Sunlight Mountain Resort celebrated 23 inches, Crested Butte welcomed 22 inches and Ski Cooper saw 20 inches. These resorts were close to reaching the two-foot figure this morning and may break it this afternoon as snowfall continues.
Over the course of the storm Snowmass received 17 inches, Aspen Highlands, Monarch Mountain, and Powderhorn all received 16 inches, Aspen Mountain recorded 15 inches of new powder, and Buttermilk registered 9 inches.
The slow moving system stretched toward the southern-most portion of the state as well, where Silverton Mountain added up 27 inches of new snow. Nearby Telluride measured 19 inches, 9 inches fell at Durango Mountain Resort, and Wolf Creek added to its 61-inch base with 6 inches of fresh snow.
