Denver, CO – Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) announced at its 47th Annual Meeting this week that its 22 member resorts hosted an estimated 6.74 million skier visits during the 2009-10 ski season. This represents an increase of only 0.4 percent, or approximately 29,000 skier visits, compared to last season’s final numbers, a fraction of the growth reported elsewhere around the Rocky Mountain region.nSome Colorado ski resorts, however, bucked the trend. Aspen Skiing Co., which owns and operates the four ski and snowboard resorts surrounding the mountain town of Aspen, reported a healthy 4.3 percent increase in skier visits over the previous winter. Vail Resorts, which does not belong to the CSCUSA trade group despite operating four of the state’s most popular resorts — Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone — announced separately that its Colorado properties experienced a 3.7% year-over-year increase in third-quarter visitation, which encompasses only the second half of the ski season.

Vail Resorts properties accounted for nearly half of the state’s 11.86 million skier visits in winter 2009-10. Total Colorado skier visits including non-CSCUSA member resorts were up by 0.8 percent compared to the 2008-09 season, well below the 3.4 percent increase for the Rocky Mountain region as a whole and 4.2 percent nationwide.

Colorado ski resorts were saddled with snowfall that remained well below average through the first half of the 2009-10 ski and snowboard season. A late surge in visits at the end of March and into April and strong pass use all contributed to balancing the books.

“We’re pleased visitation is up, even if only by a nose,” explained Melanie Mills, president and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA. “We held our own in attracting the destination skier, and even with the challenges the travel industry still faces, we found that several indicators are moving in the right direction.”

Visitation from Front Range and other in-state skiers was down slightly, while visitation by out of state and international guests increased.

“CSCUSA and our members have had a strong presence in a diverse array of international markets for several years and we are really seeing those efforts rewarded with growth in international visits,” explained Mills. International visits to CSCUSA members were up approximately 6.5 percent, ahead of the one percent gain in international visits seen by other Rocky Mountain region resorts.

Ski school business was healthy at many resorts this season. Preliminary data shows an increase in overall lesson volume with a five percent increase in children’s lessons, specifically.

Overall snow totals across the state were a contributing factor to this season’s visitation patterns. Snowfall amounts were down substantially, by 26 percent compared to the 2008-09 season, and down 26 percent compared to the 10-year average.

“Snow always plays a role in skier visits, especially with our in-state guests,” continued Mills. “And while some resorts saw near record amounts of snow, others relied on their expert snow maintenance staffs to provide a great product all season long.”

Skier visits to CSCUSA member resorts were up a bit at the beginning of the season but softened in the middle. The season ended with a robust spring and showed signs of visitation getting back on track.

“Starting March 1, visitation rallied, growing by five percent over the previous year during that period. This was fueled by heavy spring snows and a favorably-timed Easter,” said Mills.