SAM Magazine-Ludlow, Vt. April 22, 2008-Okemo, Vt., Whiteface, N.Y., and Jiminy Peak, Mass., are reporting their best seasons in history, demonstrating that the rebound in visits in the northeast was widespread this winter.

Okemo reported skier days up nearly 25 percent over the late-starting 2006-07 season, and up six percent over the resort's previous best season, 2002-03. "Although early snowfall motivated skiers and riders at the start of the season and bolstered their enthusiasm throughout the winter," said Okemo vice president of marketing Scott Clarkson, "much of this year's success can be attributed to season pass sales." Okemo's pass sales were up 30 percent.

In addition, the resort reported its busiest single day, Feb. 17, the Sunday of Presidents' Day weekend. Skier visits were up three percent for the day compared to the previous best day, in February 2007.

At state-owned Whiteface and Gore Mountains, the season ended with significant increases in visitation. Whiteface set a single-season attendance record with 214,851 skier days. This was nearly 50,000 skiers and riders and 30 percent better than in 2006-07. Season attendance at Whiteface bettered the 2002-03 winter, with 206,097 skier days, and 2003-04, with 193,755 visits. Gore Mountain saw 180,373 visitors in 2007-08, nearly 20,000 over the previous year's figures and an increase of 16 percent. Both facilities will soon embark on the continuation of expansion projects that started last summer.

Not to be outdone, the cross country ski center at the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid entertained 10,752 recreational skiers, compared to 7,890 in 2006-07.

In Massachusetts, Jiminy Peak recorded 255,387 skier visits, beating the previous record of 241,520 set in 1992-93. Seven other records were established throughout the season, including a new one-day skier visit record on Feb. 17 and a new SkiWee record. This happened despite an unusual number of "rain days"-more than 30, compared to an average of about 12.

Jiminy Peak president and CEO Brian Fairbank said, "The 2007/2008 winter was a phenomenal season for Jiminy Peak . . . We would like to thank everyone who came out to enjoy winter in the Berkshires this season and we are looking forward to a great summer season as well." \