US Ski Resorts Just Had 4th Busiest Season on Record | Rocky Mountains Had Most Visits EVER

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An epic snow year has certainly made a difference… Credit: Snowbird Facebook

Ski resorts in the United States topped 59 million skier and snowboarder visits this season, 11% higher than last season, according to preliminary numbers released Tuesday by trade group National Ski Areas Association (NSAA).

The 59 million skier visits this season was the fourth best winter since NSAA started tracking national performance in 1978-79. Last season there were 53.27 million visits during a season that saw poor snow conditions for most of the country.

Following are the five best winters for US ski resorts in national skier visits.

  1. 2010-11 60.54 million

  2. 2007-08 60.50 million

  3. 2009-10 59.79 million

  4. 2018-19 59+ million (Preliminary figure for this season. Source: National Ski Areas Association)

  5. 2006-07 58.90 million

But this season saw exceptional snowfall across most of the country, with many areas breaking records. Snowfall was up 31% nationwide from last season and has clearly played its part in these improved visitor numbers.

“Snow is our greatest asset and this year was one to remember,” NSAA President and CEO Kelly Pawlak said in a statement. “Skiers and riders were greeted with an awesome on-snow experience.”

Growth was most dramatic in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions, which saw skier and snowboarder numbers jump by 22.9% and 15.6%, respectively. In fact, no region in the US saw more ski visits this winter than the Rocky Mountains, which saw a record-breaking 24-million visits.

All these figures are just preliminary as many resorts across the nation are still operating.


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