SAM Magazine--Denver, Mar. 24, 2005--Colorado resorts reported little change in skier visits in January and February compared to the previous year, according to Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA). However, early-season gains place year-to-date visits at 7.9 million, 2.3 percent ahead of 2004. CSCUSA president Rob Perlman said that destination and international visitors have helped support overall visit levels.

The state's small resorts posted a 2 percent drop in visits during the January through February period. The decline followed a 26.6 percent year-over-year gain in the first part of the season. Destination resorts saw a 1 percent increase in skier visits during the first two months of 2005 and for the year to date. The major Front Range resorts recorded a small decline, though year-to-date totals are up nearly 2 percent. \