If passed, the SHRED Act could generate substantial new revenues for the White River National Forest, which has 11 ski areas that pay fees for public lands. Those ski areas include Aspen Skiing Co.’s four ski areas as well as Vail, Beaver Creek and those in Summit County.
The S.H.R.E.D. Act would strengthen Wyoming ski hills and communities by ensuring fees paid to the U.S. Forest Service are invested back into winter recreation.
Despite unprecedented challenges, skiing and snowboarding proved popular across American resorts during the coronavirus pandemic.
National Ski Areas Association counted 59 million visits to 300-plus hills and mountains on the 2020- 21 season. The trade group said the total was fifth-best on the record list dating to 1979.
NSAA reported the same figure for the 2018- 19 season. The organization considered the most recent season a strong recovery from the pandemic-shortened 2019- 20 season, when visitation was reported down about 14%.
Provided data show the season was the second-best ever logged in the Rocky Mountain region, which includes Colorado and five other states. Across all states, NSAA tallied 22.5 million visits last season, up 11.9% from the previous season cut short by COVID-19 closures. The latest total is down from the region s record-best 24.4 million visits in 18- 19, according to NSAA.
The Alliance for Skier and Rider Responsibility is looking for some new members to help carry on its mission of educating the community and promoting safety at ski areas. The alliance is a local nonprofit.
Photo by Ashley Low
Ski areas across the United States experienced a strong rebound this winter despite public health restrictions put in place amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Skier visits to U.S. resorts totaled 59 million for the season, the fifth best on record, according to the Colorado-based National Ski Areas Association.
“What a year it has been,” said Kelly Pawlak, association president and CEO. “From utter uncertainty to a top-10 season in terms of participation, it shows the wide spectrum that our industry bridged this year.”
Resorts across the country were forced to close in spring 2020, and many mountain communities were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 early in the pandemic.