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.