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Contact: Troy Hawks
NSAA Communications
(720) 963-4215
thawks@nsaa.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Ski Industry Tallies 57.1 Million Skier Visits
Preliminary Report Indicates 2008/09 Season is Fifth Best on Record.
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – May 15, 2009 – Based on preliminary estimates, ski areas
nationwide tallied 57.1 million visits for the 2008/09 season, making it the fifth best season on record.
Over the last 10 seasons (1999/00 – 2008/09), the industry has averaged 56.7 million visits. The 2008/09 season
represents a 0.8 percent increase from the 10-year average, and just a 5.5 percent decrease from the record
2007/08 season of 60.5 million visits. At 13.8 million visits in 2008/09, the Northeast region was up 5.5
percent from its 10-year average. Meanwhile the Southeast region, at 5.62 million visits, was up 3.8 percent
from its 10-year average; the Midwest region, with 7.41 million visits, was down 1.1 percent from its 10-year
average; the Rocky Mountain region, with 19.79 million visits, was up 1.3 percent from its 10-year average;
and finally the Pacific West region, with 10.54 million visits, was down 5.8 percent from its 10-year average.
Relatively favorable snow and weather conditions in most parts of the country during much of the season
provided a strong counterbalance to the challenging economic conditions. Based on resort comments, the impact
of the economy varied somewhat depending on resort location and resort type. Many day-ski areas in close
proximity to major metropolitan markets benefitted as many guests chose to ski and ride at locations closer
to home. Meanwhile destination resorts often reported fewer overnight visits and shorter stays. Many resorts
commented that snow and weather conditions had a more powerful impact on their visitation than the economy.
Overall average snowfall was down just 10 percent. The Southeast realized a 31.2 percent increase in average
snowfall; the Midwest was up 1.1 percent; the Northeast was down just 10 percent; the Pacific West was down
10.2 percent; and the Rocky Mountain region was down 14.2 percent. A final report will be issued in July.
For more information visit nsaa.org.
THE NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION, LOCATED IN LAKEWOOD, COLO., IS A TRADE ASSOCIATION FORMED IN 1962 FOR SKI AREA OWNERS AND OPERATORS NATIONWIDE.
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