SAM Magzine-Denver, Colo., June 9, 2005-Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) resorts reported their third best year ever as record numbers of international skiers and snowboarders helped drive visits to 11.81 million, up more than 550,000 from a year ago. International visits grew 28 percent, indicating that the after-effects of 9/11 have disappeared.

According to preliminary estimates, Colorado achieved a six percent gain in destination visits, Colorado accounted for 55 percent of the entire western United States' total destination skier visits, according to CSCUSA.

All three categories of Colorado resorts-destination resorts, Front Range destination resorts, and Gems/Front Range areas-reported gains. Front Range destination resorts posted the largest overall growth, up more than 350,000 skier visits year-over-year.