Denver tops the list in a new ranking of the “Country’s Most Ski Happy Metros,” and Colorado Springs also made the top 10. The ranking, released Tuesday by Pitney Bowes MapInfo, shows that people in metro Denver are the most likely to buy ski equipment and take a domestic ski vacation this year.
Local ski-industry watchers weren’t surprised.
“With so many resorts in Denver’s backyard, it makes sense that it would rank as No. 1,” said Jennifer Rudolph, spokeswoman for Colorado Ski Country USA. Rich Grant, spokesman for Visit Denver, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau, said things will likely heat up even more next year when SnowSports Industries America brings its annual trade show to Denver.
“We haven’t seen anything yet,” he said. “This is like a ‘stock show’ for the ski industry, bringing 15,000 people to town every year and generating $30 million in annual spending. The whole world will look to Denver every January to see what is new in snow-sports equipment, clothing and gear.” Elizabeth Aguilera
Smiling on the slopes
Two Colorado cities are among the “Country’s Most Ski Happy Metros:”
1. Denver
2. Washington
3. Boston
4. Phoenix
5. Minneapolis
6. Fairbanks, Alaska
7. Colorado Springs
8. Las Vegas
9. Baltimore
10. Chicago
