Early-Season Snow and Skier Visits in Colorado

摘要

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of early-season snow on skier visits in Colorado and to relate skier visits associated with more snow to retail expenditures. Multiple regression is used to estimate the association between skier visits at six Colorado ski areas and early-season snow depth while controlling statistically for historical trends in skier visits and the effects of snowmaking on visits. Results show that the relationship of skier visits to early-season snow depth is quite strong at Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Snowmass and Vail ('destination' areas) but fairly weak at Copper Mountain and Winter Park ('day' areas).