Despite unprecedented challenges, skiing and snowboarding proved popular across American resorts during the coronavirus pandemic. National Ski Areas Association counted 59 million visits to 300-plus hills and mountains on the 2020-'21 season. The trade group said the total was fifth-best on the record list dating to 1979. NSAA reported the same figure for the 2018-'19 season. The organization considered the most recent season "a strong recovery from the pandemic-shortened 2019-'20 season," when visitation was reported down about 14%. Provided data show the season was the second-best ever logged in the Rocky Mountain region, which includes Colorado and five other states. Across all states, NSAA tallied 22.5 million visits last season, up 11.9% from the previous season cut short by COVID-19 closures. The latest total is down from the region's record-best 24.4 million visits in '18-'19, according to NSAA.