N. Woodstock, NH (Tuesday, May 18, 2004) - The final visitor numbers have been totaled for the 2003-04 winter and the news is surprisingly positive for New Hampshire’s ski areas. The state recorded its third best winter in the past decade, posting 2,044,422 alpine skier and snowboarder visits.

Mid-season projections had indicated a possible skier visit decline of 10-15% for the state compared to the winter of 2002-03, which was the second best in the state’s history. The 2003-04 season got off to a slow start, thanks to erratic weather in December followed by record-breaking cold in January. More seasonable temperatures returned in February, helping to set the stage for a very strong February vacation period that many areas considered the savior of the season.

“The skier visit total reflects quite a recovery, considering the business levels at the end of January,” commented Alice Pearce, Ski NH’s Executive Director. “Our ski areas’ efforts to provide great value for skiers’ dollars, skilled snowmaking and grooming capabilities, and the significant capital improvements the areas have made during the past few years certainly helped to generate visits to the slopes in February and March.”

The 2003/04 alpine skier and snowboarder total is slightly above New Hampshire’s ten year average and just 9% behind last year’s very successful season. Many areas reported a growing interest in children’s programs and increased spending per skier.

New Hampshire’s cross country areas also reported a better-than-expected year, with an estimated 131,000 nordic skier and snowshoer visits. Similar to the alpine areas’ visit total, this is slightly above New Hampshire’s ten year average.

Snowtubing facilities, which are operated by 11 alpine and cross country areas in New Hampshire, reported 96,228 visits.