SAM Magazine-Denver, Colo., March 12, 2009-Skier visits at Colorado Ski Country USA's 22 member resorts in January and February were off by 5.8 percent compared to the same period last year. As such, visitation is up slightly compared to the five-year average for the period, and those five years include three years that were the highest on record.

For the 2008-09 season to date, visitation at CSCUSA resorts is down 5.9 percent compared to last year, and down less than 4 percent from the five-year average.

"Visitation so far this season speaks to Colorado's worldwide reputation," said Melanie Mills, president and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA. "It reflects well on our member resorts and the high quality experiences guests have here on our slopes. Skiing is falling on the 'necessity' side of the ledger for most participants, who may be economizing in many areas of their lives but not when it comes to ski days." \