Statewide skier visits are up just over 6 percent so far this year and Aspen Skiing Co. is reporting even higher numbers. Aspen Public Radio’s Carolyn Sackariason has the details.
SkiCo is reporting that skier visits are up just over 7 percent season-to-date. And in the second period of the season, defined as Jan. 1 through Feb. 29, SkiCo posted an increase of 5 percent.
That’s higher than the 3.8 percent increase for the second period that’s been recorded by the 21 member resorts that are represented by the ski industry group Colorado Ski Country USA.
SkiCo spokesman Jeff Hanle says passholder use has been strong and destination business is holding its own despite the strong U.S. dollar, and the unfavorable exchange rates for Brazil and Australia.
But visitation has dropped since the first reporting period, which goes from the beginning of the season to Dec. 31. At that time, the company reported it was 13 percent ahead of last year.
A skier visit represents a person participating in the sport of skiing or snowboarding for any part of one day at a mountain resort.