A record number of skiers and snowboarders flocked to Colorado’s mountains in January and February, according to data released Monday.
The 25 ski resorts affiliated with Colorado Ski Country USA reported 5.25 million visitors, up 5.1 percent over the same period last year. Season-to-date, the state had 8.35 million skier visits, a 5.4 percent growth over last winter.
“We’re having a spectacular season,” Arapahoe Basin spokeswoman Leigh Hier holzer said. “The more skiers we have on the hill, the greater the business is.”
The resorts need 3.65 million more ‘boarders and skiers in March, April and May to surpass the previous record and reach this year’s goal of 12 million.
Skier visits to Colorado peaked during the 1997-98 season at 11.98 million. The industry has struggled in recent winters to combat drought and the economic downturn. Visits plunged to 10.89 million in 1999-2000.
The state now has a “realistic chance” of reaching its target this winter, Colorado Ski Country president Rob Perlman said.
“We have been very focused on growing total skier visits and solidifying our position as the undisputed market leader in the nation’s ski business,” he said.
Last season, Colorado hosted 11.81 million skiers and ‘board ers, accounting for 21 percent of the nation’s skier visits.
This winter’s ski season started out strong, thanks to heavy early-season snowfall across much of the state. It gained momentum in midseason.
The Front Range destination resorts – including Copper Mountain and Vail – saw 3.11 million guests, a growth of 6.8 percent over the same two months last winter.
The destination resorts – including Aspen and Crested Butte – hosted 1.65 million skiers, up 1.6 percent.
The “Gems” – smaller ski areas such as Eldora and Ski Cooper – saw 484,260 people, an increase of 6.3 percent.
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-820-1592 or jdunn@denverpost.com.
