SAM Magazine--April 10, 2013--Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) is reported that winter 2013 ended with the highest level of skier/rider visits in the resort’s history. The end of season total of approximately 502,222 visits surpasses the previous record set during the winter of 2008, a winter that saw significantly more in season snowfall as this winter. The increase in skier visits of 5% over last year was achieved despite below average snowfall that was 60% of average at the base and 80% of normal at mid-mountain and only one inch above last season on the upper mountain.

“Grooming and snowmaking assisted Mother Nature this year for sure,” commented Jerry Blann, President of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. In-season snowfall was approximately 100 inches below average. “To achieve a record in a year like this is quite an accomplishment and a tribute to the hard work by all our employees,” added Blann.

This is also the first time JHMR has reached 500,000 skier visits. Only 17 to 20 resorts a year go over the 500,000 mark.

Over the past 17 years the owners, the Kemmerer Family, have invested an average of $8 million per year into improvements to the resort. Most recently nearly $6 million was spent improving intermediate skiing with the installation of the Casper high speed detachable lift and the associated trail work to create a better experience for intermediates.

The resort had record visitation in each of the following months; December, February and March.

Up in Whitefish, Mont., the area reported its own record with 323,000 visits, a record in the area's 65-year history. The visits are 10% higher than last season and represent the third time the resort has broken the 300,000 mark. According to The Missoulian, on December 30, the resort set a new record for paid-skier visits when more than 7,165 people came to slide, compared with the previous record of 7,141 set on December 29, 2007. As well, daily lessons for 3- to 6-year-olds was up 50 percent compared to last year.