SAM Magazine--Salt Lake City, Utah, May 10, 2004--Utah's 13 ski areas achieved record attendance this past season, with 3,386,141 skier-rider visits. That is three percent above the previous best season (2000-01) and seven percent better than 2002-03. And the record will grow, as Snowbird is still open through May 31.

Ski Utah credited early and consistent snow, plus increased marketing and recent resort development efforts, for creating record-setting conditions. Utah resorts spent more than $250 million leading up to the Olympics in 2002, purchasing everything from new chairlifts and snowmaking equipment to improved base lodges and daycare facilities.