Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) announced during its 54th Annual Meeting that skier visits at its 22-member ski areas totaled 7.3 million during the 2016-17 season. It is estimated that after final numbers are tallied, the 2016-17 season will be the state’s second best season on record.
This year’s season total was up 6 percent over the five-year average, marking the fourth consecutive year that skier visits at CSCUSA resorts have outperformed the five-year average. A skier visit represents a person participating in the sport of skiing or snowboarding for any part of one day at a mountain resort. These numbers are preliminary results and subject to final adjustment by CSCUSA members.
“This season had a little bit of everything,” said Colorado Ski Country USA president and CEO Melanie Mills. “A warm fall kept skiers away from the high country early in the season, but deep snow totals in December and January attracted record numbers of guests during the busy holiday period. Our resorts continue to set the industry standard for guest experience, which is reflected in this year’s numbers.”
The 2016-17 season kicked off with Arapahoe Basin Ski Area winning the friendly race to open with neighbor Loveland Ski Area, becoming the nation’s first ski area to open on October 21, 2016. The season was full of exciting events and highlights including the return of the Winter Park Express in January and the World Cup Finals at Aspen Snowmass in March, the first time the event has been in the U.S. in 20 years. The season ended on a strong note with heavy snow totals allowing for season extensions at four CSCUSA resorts.
“These are very strong numbers, especially considering the warm start to the season,” continued Mills. “Colorado’s consistently great snow conditions are a draw for in-state, out-of-state and international guests. Colorado Ski Country USA resorts truly have something for everyone and with a family friendly environment that is second to none, we’re looking forward to another strong season in 2017-18.”
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