Economy Hits Colorado Slopes
Colorado Ski Country USA announced that the skier visits for the early season were down 7.7 per cent over last year. The group did not release actual numbers of skiers, a departure from previous years. The decrease was not unexpected, based on early season bookings reported by the ski resorts. However, Colorado Ski Country did also note that for the four days of the 2009 New Year week, some Colorado resorts experienced record numbers of guests.
Vail Resorts, no longer a member of Colorado Ski Country USA, reports that its five resorts were down 5.8 per cent . Lift ticket revenue booked a decline of 7.5 percent. Vail said the difference was due in part to increased visits from season pass holders. This year's ski season began in November for Vail Resorts and the results were recorded through Jan. 4.