DENVER, COLO� June 6, 2002 -- Colorado Ski Country USA reports 11,145,181 visitors to Colorado resorts during the 2001/2002 season. The number indicate a decrease of four percent in Colorado skier visits through May 31, 2002 totaling an decrease of 521,491 over last season�s total of 11,666,672�.

Colorado skier visits are tracked in three groupings: Destination Resorts*, Front Range Destination Resorts** and Front Range Resorts**. Year-to-date numbers through May 31, 2002 indicate that Destination Resorts experienced a decrease of 197,126 skier visits (or a 5.08 percent decrease), Front Range Destination Resorts experienced a decrease of 313,156 skier visits (or a decrease of 4.31 percent) and Front Range Resorts saw a decrease of 11,209 (or a decrease of 2.12 percent).

The ski industry in Colorado faced many obstacles heading into the season last November in light of September 11th and experienced a five percent decrease in the second period (through February 2002). However, the declines of visitation were experienced primarily in the early season and in April while the holidays were strong and February through March period were up from last season.

�In light of the obstacles the entire tourism industry faced post-September 11, including travel and safety fears, a national recession and below average snowfall, we are very encouraged with how the ski and snowboard industry fared in Colorado this season,� said David Perry, President and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA. �There were initial projections and fears of up to a 30 percent fall-off.�

Colorado performed better than the national trend which reported 54.2 million visits or a decrease of 5.5 percent. Despite the decreased national numbers, the 2001/2002 season still managed to be the third best season on record. All regions except the Pacific West experienced a decline this season.

�With the Olympics in Utah last February, the world was exposed to snowsports in the Rocky Mountains and a saw a huge rush of popularity in snowboarding,� said Pat O�Donnell, Chairman of the Board for Colorado Ski Country. �We are optimistic and looking forward to the influence it will have next season.�

2001-2002 Skier Visits:

Destination Resorts 01-02: 3,682,164
Destination Resorts 00-01: 3,878,340
Change: -5.06%

Front Range Destination 01-02:6,945,293
Front Range Destination 00-01:7,258,449
Change: -4.31%

Front Range 01-02:518,674
Front Range 00-01:529,883
Change: -2.12%

Total 01-02: 11,146,131
Total 00-01: 11,666,672
Change: -4.46%

� Adjusted final total for the 2000/2001 season. *Destination Resorts: Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Crested Butte, Howelsen, Monarch, Powderhorn, Purgatory, Snowmass, Steamboat, Sunlight, and Telluride **Front Range Destination Resorts: Arapahoe Basin, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Copper, Keystone, SolVista, Vail and Winter Park ***Front Range Resorts: Eldora, Loveland and Ski Cooper

Colorado Ski Country USA is the non-profit trade association representing Colorado�s 23 ski & snowboard resorts.