The storm that caused nightmarish delays along the Front Range delivered variable snow totals to Colorado ski resorts but was seen as a gift to the ski industry nonetheless.
“Oh, this is huge for us,” said Nick Bohnenkamp, spokesman for Colorado Ski Country USA, a trade group that represents the state’s 26 ski areas. “This is what we dream of.”
When big storms hit, the organization and individual resorts roll out news releases – including video footage known as “B roll” – hoping for prized free media coverage that can light up the reservation lines.
As of Wednesday evening, the storm had delivered between 1 and 8 inches of snow to the Summit, Eagle and Pitkin county resorts. Southwestern Colorado ski areas and those east of the Continental Divider were reporting snow totals of more than a foot.
Although few travelers can make last-minute reservations for the holiday weekend, the storm means those who have planned ahead will go home raving about conditions, which then boosts reservations for the rest of the season, said Mary Helyn Kirwin, spokeswoman for Telluride Mountain Resort.
“Word of mouth is very important to us,” she said. “It will carry over through spring.”
