Photo by Ashley Low
Ski areas across the United States experienced a strong rebound this winter despite public health restrictions put in place amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Skier visits to U.S. resorts totaled 59 million for the season, the fifth best on record, according to the Colorado-based National Ski Areas Association.
“What a year it has been,” said Kelly Pawlak, association president and CEO. “From utter uncertainty to a top-10 season in terms of participation, it shows the wide spectrum that our industry bridged this year.”
Resorts across the country were forced to close in spring 2020, and many mountain communities were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 early in the pandemic.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area’s aerial adventure park is now open to the public Fridays through Sundays after first opening May 29. A-Basin Chief Operating Officer Al Henceroth wrote in a blog post that the park.
Photo by Ashley Low
Rep. Joe Neguse is hoping to increase funding for public forest lands by allowing the U.S. Forest Service to keep money generated from ski area permit fees.
Neguse said he plans to introduce the Ski Fee Retention Bill in the next few weeks, a bipartisan effort alongside Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.; Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah; and Rep. Ann Kuster, D-N.H. and the chair of the Congressional Ski and Snowboard Caucus. The group is looking for another Republican cosponsor, as well.
The Ski Fee Retention Bill would allow national forests including the White River National Forest to retain fees generated from ski areas, which are usually remitted to the U.S. Treasury. The funding is meant to improve the recreation permitting processes, improve visitor services, and support wildfire planning and coordination.
Rep Neguse discusses national forest needs with Summit officials vaildaily.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from vaildaily.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.