For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Molly Cuffe, 303.866.9712, molly@coloradoski.com
Nick Bohnenkamp, 303.866.9724, nick@coloradoski.com
Colorado Ski Resorts On Pace to Match Last Year's Skier Visit Record
(Wednesday, March 14, 2007, Denver, Colo.)-- Colorado Ski
Country USA announced today its 26 member resorts have maintained
their positive momentum while setting their sights on a new
year-end industry benchmark. In total, Colorado ski resorts
have hosted 8,487,943 skiers and snowboarders, an increase of
119,271 visits, over the same timeframe last year, defined as
October 13, 2006-February 28, 2007.
"We are very pleased with our results thus far," stated Rob
Perlman, president & CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA.
"The Colorado ski industry set a record last year by hosting more
than 12.5 million skiers and snowboarders. It's been our goal
to maintain that growth in an effort to firmly establish a new
benchmark for the industry. It is very exciting to see we are
one step closer toward achieving that goal."
In addition to year-end skier visit analysis, the state also uses
its five-year skier visit average as another indicator of success
and overall growth for the industry. As such, Colorado is
more than 720,000 skier visits ahead of its five-year, year-to-date
average for this time period. The state has reported a steady
three-year growth trend through its second period; further
demonstrating the robust momentum of the country's largest ski
state.
"We have approximately two months left in the ski season. We
anticipate momentum to continue to build as we enter the spring
skiing and riding season," continued Perlman. "With plenty of
sunshine, tons of fun events and great snow conditions, March and
April are always two of the best months to enjoy Colorado's high
country."
The Colorado ski industry represents a significant portion of
Colorado tourism, which is the second largest industry in the
state. Last season, Colorado's resorts set an all-time record for
visitation with more than 12.53 million skier visits, representing
more than 21 percent of the nation's 58.9 million skier
visits.
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 USA 2006-2007 Second Period Skier Visits
Opening through February 28, 2007
| Resort Category | Jan./Feb. 2007 | Jan./Feb. 2006 | Number Change | Percent Change |
5 Year Change |
Number Change |
Percent Change |
| Destination | 2,593,318 | 2,472,717 | 120,601 | 4.87% | 2,359,207 | 234,111 | 9.92% |
| Front Range Destination | 4,960,004 | 4,994,934 | (34,390) | -.70% | 4,631,079 | 328,925 | 7.10% |
| Gems/Front Range | 934,621 | 901,021 | 33,600 | 3.73% | 776,767 | 157,854 | 20.32% |
| Total: | 8,487,943 | 8,368,672 | 119,271 | 1.43% | 7,767,053 | 720,890 | 9.28% |
January 1-February 28, 2007
| Resort Category |
Jan./Feb. 2007 |
Jan./Feb. 2006 |
Number Change |
Percent Change |
5 Year Change |
Number Change |
Percent Change |
| Destination |
1,691,810 | 1,668,649 | 23,161 | 1.39% | 1,571,944 | 119,866 | 7.63% |
| Front Range Destination |
3,036,340 | 3,137,640 | (101,300) | -3.23% | 2,948,108 | 88,232 | 2.99% |
| Gems/Front Range |
473,114 | 484,267 | (11,153) | -2.30% | 454,586 | 18,528 | 4.08% |
| Total: |
5,201,264 | 5,290,556 | (89,292) | -1.69% | 4,974,637 | 226,627 | 4.56% |
*CATEGORY BREAK-DOWNS
1) Destination Resorts - Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Crested Butte, Durango (Purgatory), Howelsen Hill, Silverton Mountain, Snowmass, Steamboat, Telluride, Wolf Creek
2) Front Range Destination Resorts - Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Vail, Winter Park
3) Gems/Front Range Resorts - Arapahoe Basin, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Loveland, Monarch, Powderhorn, Ski Cooper, SolVista Basin, Sunlight
*The numbers stated above are preliminary and subject to change. Colorado Ski Country USA does not release individual resort skier visit totals throughout the season. The decision to release individual numbers is up to each individual resort. Skier visits from previous years can be found at www.media-coloradoski.com in the Media Center.
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Colorado Ski Country USA is the not-for--profit trade association representing Colorado's 26 ski & snowboard resorts. Information about the organization and its members can be found at www.coloradoski.com.
