Home

Colorado ski resorts posted a record number of skiers for the first part of the season.

Colorado Ski Country USA announced an average increase of 6.74 percent over last year for its 26 member resorts from the Oct.13 to Dec. 31 period.

Destination resorts - which include Steamboat Ski Area along with resorts such as Crested Butte, Telluride and Aspen - saw an increase of 11.9 percent compared to the same period last year.

"To see such a positive increase over what was a great early season for us last year demonstrates the tremendous momentum Colorado has in its favor," said Rob Perlman, president and CEO of Colo-rado Ski Country USA. "We achieved some great results under some fairly challenging weather circumstances during the critical holiday season."

Last season, Colorado resorts broke their own record for "skier visits," which is the industry standard used to measure skier numbers. There were more than 12.53 million 'skier visits' last year."

And there are signs, particularity in Steamboat, the record numbers could continue.

"Based on air bookings at the Steamboat/Hayden airport, we're up 11 percent year-to-date for the rest of the season," said Andy Wirth, vice president of sales and marketing for Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp.

Wirth said he could not release specific results for the Steamboat Ski Area or how they compared to the 11.9 percent average increase for destination res-orts. Colorado Ski Country USA collects precise numbers from individual resorts, but does not release them.

"Based on our mid-season market share estimates, we're very pleased with our performance from the destination customer market," Wirth said.

Colorado Ski Country USA spokeswoman Molly Cuffe said there were a number of reasons for the increase in skier numbers.

Colorado resorts are coming off a strong snow year and have good momentum. People are booking vacations earlier, and by August, reservation numbers signaled a good season, Cuffe said. Colorado resorts also are doing a good job of marketing and attracting destination visitors. Expanded air programs across the state are "definitely a key factor," Cuffe said. Snow conditions have been good for most of the year.

Poor snow conditions in the East might also be driving skiers to Colorado this year, Cuffe said.

Wirth said "challenging" ski conditions in the East likely are playing a role in skier numbers in the West.

The Steamboat Ski Area has done well in all its customer segments, Wirth said.

Favorable exc-hange rates, especially in Australia and the United Kingdom have att-racted more international customers. An enhanced air program with 15 percent more seats than last year has made it easier for domestic customers to vacation in Steamboat, he said.

Front Range traffic has been good, especially in the past couple of weeks, Wirth said. There also was a growth in pass sales.

These increases are "despite the snow conditions being average," Wirth said.

"Last season has had a very positive residual effect : but this season is a testament to the fact that it's a lot more than just snow," Wirth said.

The healthy national economy has played a positive role in attracting skiers, Wirth said.

The consumer price index has been above 100 for the past four months.

"That's a key measure of how things are going to be," Wirth said.

- To reach Matt Stensland, call 871-4210

or e-mail mstensland@steamboatpilot.com