Utah Ski Areas See Record Visitation for Fourth Consecutive Year
Aug 01, 2007
Nathan Rafferty
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Utah’s ski and snowboard industry notched its fourth
consecutive record-breaking season totaling 4,082,094 skier days during the
2006-07 winter season, becoming the third most skied state in the nation (The
National Ski Areas Association defines ‘skier days’ as one person visiting a
ski area for all or any part of a day or night for the purpose of skiing).
Nationwide skier days were down approximately seven percent in 2006-07.
“We’ve seen some strong growth over the past five years. Momentum is
definitely on our side,” said Ski Utah President Nathan Rafferty. “With the
most consistent snowfall anywhere in the world and unrivaled access via an
international airport that continues to add non-stop destinations, we’re on
the right path.”
Despite snowfall totals pushing beyond the 400-inch mark, many considered this
a lackluster snow year, at least by Utah standards. Last year’s skier-day
count was 4,062,188, a difference of 19,906. The ski season began Nov. 15 and
continued through May 20.
“There’s no question we’re spoiled here in Utah. With over 600 inches of
snowfall the previous two seasons, we knew that a sub-500 inch year was going
to have an impact. With Utah locals accounting for almost half our skier
visits, they’re a critical component to our success,” said Rafferty.
Utah’s statewide tourism product has seen a significant increase in visibility
over the last several years thanks to a surge in state funding dedicated to
promoting the state’s many tourism offerings, from skiing and snowboarding to
southern Utah’s five national parks.
“We owe a huge amount of our success to the ongoing support of the Utah Office
of Tourism and the keen foresight of Governor Huntsman to view tourism as an
important economic engine for Utah’s economy,” added Rafferty.
Ski-related tourism contributed over $700 million to the State’s economy
during the 2006-07 winter season.
Total statewide skier days for the past 10 years are as follows:
Season Skier Days Rank
2006-07 4,082,094 1
2005-06 4,062,188 2
2004-05 3,895,578 3
2003-04 3,429,141 4
2002-03 3,141,212 6
2001-02 2,984,574 10
2000-01 3,278,291 5
1999-00 2,959,778 11
1998-99 3,095,347 8
1997-98 3,101,735 7
consecutive record-breaking season totaling 4,082,094 skier days during the
2006-07 winter season, becoming the third most skied state in the nation (The
National Ski Areas Association defines ‘skier days’ as one person visiting a
ski area for all or any part of a day or night for the purpose of skiing).
Nationwide skier days were down approximately seven percent in 2006-07.
“We’ve seen some strong growth over the past five years. Momentum is
definitely on our side,” said Ski Utah President Nathan Rafferty. “With the
most consistent snowfall anywhere in the world and unrivaled access via an
international airport that continues to add non-stop destinations, we’re on
the right path.”
Despite snowfall totals pushing beyond the 400-inch mark, many considered this
a lackluster snow year, at least by Utah standards. Last year’s skier-day
count was 4,062,188, a difference of 19,906. The ski season began Nov. 15 and
continued through May 20.
“There’s no question we’re spoiled here in Utah. With over 600 inches of
snowfall the previous two seasons, we knew that a sub-500 inch year was going
to have an impact. With Utah locals accounting for almost half our skier
visits, they’re a critical component to our success,” said Rafferty.
Utah’s statewide tourism product has seen a significant increase in visibility
over the last several years thanks to a surge in state funding dedicated to
promoting the state’s many tourism offerings, from skiing and snowboarding to
southern Utah’s five national parks.
“We owe a huge amount of our success to the ongoing support of the Utah Office
of Tourism and the keen foresight of Governor Huntsman to view tourism as an
important economic engine for Utah’s economy,” added Rafferty.
Ski-related tourism contributed over $700 million to the State’s economy
during the 2006-07 winter season.
Total statewide skier days for the past 10 years are as follows:
Season Skier Days Rank
2006-07 4,082,094 1
2005-06 4,062,188 2
2004-05 3,895,578 3
2003-04 3,429,141 4
2002-03 3,141,212 6
2001-02 2,984,574 10
2000-01 3,278,291 5
1999-00 2,959,778 11
1998-99 3,095,347 8
1997-98 3,101,735 7
