Over 4 million skier visits for Vermont

Thanks for early and late snow, Vermont got the best season in four years.

The Vermont ski areas association 50th Annual Meeting at Jay Peak on June 5-6 gathered members, supporters and friends of the Vermont ski and snowboard industry. Thanks to good snow in the beginning and end of the ski season, this past season was historic.

Vermont saw 207K more skier and rider visits this season than last, an increase of 5.2 percent. The 4,178,533 total skier visits were the highest since the 2014-15 ski season and a 1.2 % higher than the 10-year average seen at the Vermont’s ski areas.

The state’s history early openings with large amount of skiable terrain allowed the season to have these great numbers. Killington opened on October 19, three weeks ahead of opening day and was the earliest opening in the East. Mount Snow Resort had its earliest opening in its 64-year history, opening on October 27. Smuggler’s Notch Resort opened on November 23 with the most skiable terrain on an opening day – 58 of its 78 trails were opened.

By December 1, the percentage of opened alpine terrain in the state was of 65, whereas the previous 13 seasons the average was just over 8 %.

There was another timely snowstorm that hit the Green Mountains. Winter Storm Bruce brought two feet of snow on Nov-25-27; Harper brought more than two feet during the long Martin Luther King’s weekend. This combined with efficient snowmaking and no warm weather made the snow consistent during all season throughout all the state.

The Green Mountains remained well covered all the way till closing day. March 30 saw 92% of terrain open at Vermont ski areas- the highest since 2012-13 ski season.

Mad River Glen reached its 136th day of operations on April 20 – making it the longest season in its 70-year history. Killington’s Superstar Quad stopped spinning on June 2, its 211th day of the season.

Ski Vermont President Molly Mahar said. “This season’s robust skier and rider turnout was driven by a perfect storm of factors. Early and abundant natural snow and consistent cold temperatures, combined with our member ski areas’ outstanding snowmaking and grooming capabilities, helped deliver excellent conditions throughout the season.”

“From early openings with unprecedented amounts of terrain all the way through to a seemingly never-ending spring of soft bumps and goggle tans, it was a great season – historic and unforgettable.”

The Annual Meeting also featured Ski Vermont’s overview of the 2018-19 season and the impact of marketing, public relations and governmental affairs efforts. Their Take 3 Pass and Fifth Grade Passport programs got nearly 3,500 people on the snow, and the proceeds of these programs enabled again an annual grant through the Vermont Working Lands Foundation.

More information: Vermont’s Ski Areas Association.

Vermont Biz

This goes with the same trend of the 59 Million Ski visits to US ski areas this year. Also with Utah’s and Colorado Ski Country USA’s ski areas’ best season.

You can search for your own accommodation in the snow for your next ski holiday through our Accommodation Search tab.

The-Ski-Guru TRAVEL is a CONCIERGE service that can help you organise your bespoke ski trip to the Americas, Alps or Japan, including for those going from Britain to Europe, helping you book your Eurotunnel trip, and for all trips: lodging, lift tickets, rentals, ski school, and all you need for an excellent vacation. Go to https://www.the-ski-guru.com/travel and upload your information – this page will be updated soon with more travel ideas. Check our amazing Ski Safari in the Dolomites , stay at the San Lorenzo Lodge White Deer in the Val Pusteria of Sudtirol, in the Hotel Petrus in Riscone, for skiing Kronplatz, or check our offer to Obergurgl-Hochgurgl and Sölden to ski with your family. Maybe you want to come on my group to ski with other like-minded skiers in Courmayeur in January 2020, staying at the Gran Baita hotel?

You can start thinking about your trip, by reading the articles on the Planning your Ski Trip tab. Or how to pack for your family ski trip. If taking your furry friend abroad to the continent, read about the new Pet Travel Scheme update from DEFRA. Self-drive skiers also need to plan for Brexit. Check out our tips for driving to the mountains. If flying and renting a car in Europe, beware of the extra charges they will pass to you if you want winter tyres, snow chains or ski racks. If driving, check the winter tyres news for Europe and North America. You can see how our last family ski holiday was not as expected, even though one plans it to be a success, but how we could do the most of it.

Featured Image: Okemo Resort picture. SkiVermont.com – Over 4 million skier visits for Vermont.

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