Buoyed by an improving economy and renewed buzz about Utah’s ski scene, thanks to Vail Resorts’ recent purchase of the state’s largest resort, ski officials are expecting one of the best seasons in recent memory when lifts turn on this month.
Bookings at ski resorts are up about 4 percent from the same time last year, said Nathan Rafferty, president of the trade group Ski Utah. After two straight subpar years of snowfall, resorts are optimistic they’re due for at least an average year.
The record season was 2007-08, when the state recorded nearly 4.25 million skier and snowboarder days. Last year, Utah resorts registered 4.16 million, up for the third straight year. The last big snow year was 2010-11.
Most of the state’s 15 resorts are expected to open this month with Solitude, Brighton, Alta, Snowbird and Park City Mountain Resort jostling to be the first.
Vail Resorts’ recent acquisition of Park City Mountain Resort, for $182.5 million paved the way for the creation of what could be the country’s largest ski area.
This year, skiers who buy an Epic Pass through Vail, $769 for adults, have two Utah resorts — Park City and adjacent Canyons — available on the pass, which is good at 22 resorts around the world.
“A lot of people will be looking at Utah who maybe hadn’t thought about Utah before for their vacation,” Park City Mountain Resort spokesman Andy Miller said.
