SAM Magazine-Crested Butte, Colo., June 12, 2008-Melanie Mills, director of public affairs for Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA), has become the group's new president. She replaces Rob Perlman, who is leaving to join Steamboat Ski Resort as VP of sales and marketing. Mills' appointment came at the annual CSCUSA meeting here today.

The organization released figures showing that the association's member resorts tallied 12.54 million visits this past winter, just under the previous year's record total of 12.57 million.

However, the recent departure of Vail Resorts from CSCUSA will have an impact on the organization's mission for the coming season. The group is ending its national marketing and some international efforts as a result of a smaller budget-$1.7 million, vs. $3.5 million last year. Staffing will fall from 15 to 9. \