Headline News
2007/08 Ski Season Sets All-Time Record
Based on preliminary estimates by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), ski areas nationwide tallied 60.1 million visits for the 2007/08 season, making it the best season on record. The new record represents a 9.1-percent increase from the 55.1 million visits recorded at U.S. resorts in 2006/07, and a 2-percent rise from the prior record of 58.9 million visits set in 2005/06.
Ski area trade association NSAA reports that all regions of the U.S. and resorts of all size categories contributed to the record season. The Northeast realized a 19.3-percent gain over last season, the Midwest rose by 12.3 percent and the Pacific West improved by 10 percent. The Southeast gained a more moderate 6.5 percent and the Rocky Mountains, which set a record in 2006/07, topped that record this season by 2.3 percent.
Over the last 10 seasons (1998/99—2007/08), the average number of visits recorded nationally was 56.16 million visits. The 2007/08 season represents a 7-percent increase from this 10-year average. By region, the Northeast was up 9-percent from its 10-year average of 12.91 million visits, tallying 14.07 million visits this season. The Midwest, with 8.09 million visits, was up 10.1 percent, the Rockies were up 9.9 percent with 21.33 million visits, the Pacific West was up 1.4 percent with 11.37 million visits and the Southeast was down 1.3 percent with 5.21 million visits in 2007/08.
The study cites strong increases in snowfall as a contributor to the record season. Snowfall in the Pacific West was up 62 percent, up 39 percent in the Rocky Mountains, up 35 percent in the Midwest, and up 26 percent in the Northeast. Only the Southeast reported a decrease, down 7 percent.
A final report will be issued in July. For more information visit nsaa.org.