Ski and snowboard resorts expect better business after slow year

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SALT LAKE CITY -- "The Greatest Snow on Earth" showers the state with big business. Skiing and snowboarding pump $1 billion into our economy each year. Industry leaders said Tuesday they expect more skiers again after a one year slide.

Solitude is already open. Brighton opens on Wednesday. The rest of the resorts plan to open during the coming month with more deals than we've seen in years. The aim is bring back snow riders who drifted away during the recession and lure new skiers and snowboarders looking for a lifetime activity.

The Utah ski industry weathered a 6.5 percent slide in business last year after five consecutive years of growth. At a kickoff event the President of Ski Utah Nathan Rafferty predicted recovery.

He said, "I've decided I don't like the term 'cautiously optimistic.' We are boldly optimistic in Utah about this coming season."

Ski and snowboard resorts expect better business after slow year

Ski Utah predicts the number of skier days will increase 3 percent this season to about 4.1 million.

Its surveys show 25 percent of Utahns say they skied or snowboarded in the past two years. Two in five Utah households, or 43 percent, have a skier or snowboarder. So, Ski Utah urges skiers and non-skiers to take advantage of the variety of activities they can find at the resorts. And the resorts are eager to entertain.

Rafferty said, "I think you're definitely going to see that this is the year of the deal."

**Did you know…**

• Skiing contributes $1 billion to the state economy • Tourism provides $806 of tax relief per household • 25% of Utahns say they've skied/snowboarded in the past 2 years • Two in five (43%) Utah households has a skier or snowboarder - *Ski Utah*

Deals that could include extra nights free; deals on lessons and lift tickets. The resorts think good snow and good deals will inspire locals and visitors to hit the slopes.

Ski Utah's website picked up 9 percent more visits this fall than last year, so people are looking.

Brighton opens Wednesday, even though we've seen little snow in Utah's valleys.

Resort	Opening date
Alta	Nov. 20
Beaver Mountain	TBA
Brian Head	Nov. 21
Brighton	Nov. 11
The Canyons	Nov. 27
Deer Valley	Dec. 5
Park City	Nov. 21
Powder Mountain	Nov. 28
Snowbasin	Nov. 26
Snowbird	Nov. 21
Solitude	Open
Sundance	Dec. 11
Wolf Creek	Nov. 27

Jared Winkler, with Brighton Resort, said, "You look from the valley, it doesn't look too bright. But, up there it's all white, so it's good." Park City Mountain Resort will launch a locals-only program later this week called "Start Now."

Meisha Lawson, with the Park City Mountain Resort, said, "The 'Start Now' program includes lessons, lift ticket and rentals, and it's for $25. That's unheard of."

"Start Now" is for ages six and up. You can participate five times. Look for the website www.startnow.pcmr.com Friday to sign up. The resort thinks the program is a great way to entice first time skiers and snowboarders to take advantage of the resort facilities.

And, Snowbasin is gearing up for a big event early next year. The resort will host the Dew Tour Jan. 15-17.

"The Dew Tour is a perfect complement to our new commitment to our terrain parks," said Jodi Holmgren with Snowbasin. "We have 20 new features we'll introduce this year. It's just a great amount of exposure and excitement."

We'll have more details as the Dew Tour approaches. NBC will televise four to five hours of the event. Industry leaders say it's good for all Utah resorts to have that kind of national exposure.

Skiers and boarders are ready to go; the rest of it is up to the weather.

E-mail: jboal@ksl.com