Not just a record year for snow

Colorado Ski Country USA reported today that 2005-2006 has so far also been a record year for skier numbers.
Collectively, Colorado resorts hosted more than three million skier visits from opening day, Oct. 15, through Dec. 31, a 5.6 percent increase over the same time period last season and 10.9 percent ahead the state’s five-year, period-one average.

What's driving it? Well, 20 feet of snow helps. The big winners are Front Range destination resorts (read Summit County and Vail). Other destination resorts, such as Telluride and Steamboat, are actually down slightly. Maybe charging over $900 for a season pass doesn't pay off.
-Dave