Banner Elk, NC – The North Carolina Ski Areas Association (NCSAA) in collaboration with the consulting firm RRC Associates conducted an economic value analysis study of the North Carolina ski industry during the 2009-10 winter season. All told, the organization asserts that the ski and snowboard industry contributes $146 million to North Carolina’s economy.nAccording to the report, skier visits in the state last winter totaled 671,554, total revenue was $32,526,608, year-round employment was 96, seasonal employment was 1,557, total payroll was $8,700,000 and capital expenditures for the North Carolina ski industry as a whole were $3,341,237. Skiing and snowboarding also generates ancillary revenue for hotels, restaurants and other businesses in North Carolina.

The North Carolina Ski Areas Association is a non-profit group representing six ski areas in the western part of the state: Appalachian Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain Resort, Cataloochee Ski Area, Sapphire Valley Ski Area, Sugar Mountain Resort and Wolf Ridge Ski Resort. RRC Associates is a market research consulting firm based in Boulder, Colo. that works closely with the ski and snowboard industry.