Skiing on public lands: too expensive, too exclusive?

According to the latest economic impact study by Colorado Ski Country USA and Vail Resorts, the skiing and snowboarding industry brings almost $5 billion to the Colorado economy every year.  Non-residents account for 55 percent of the millions of skier visits, and they spend an average of $300 per day.  

With the cost of an average walkup lift ticket costing more than $100 at some resorts, the economic barriers are obvious. Reporter Mary MacCarthy joined “First Take with Lando and Chavis” to describe what she found about who’s skiing, and who isn’t.

“People come from all over the world to ski Colorado,” said MacCarthy.  But, “the kids growing up here aren’t necessarily getting access to the sport.”  On a recent ski trip for fifth-graders at the Gilpin Montessori School in Denver (underwritten by pro skier Chris Anthony’s youth initiative), 20 of the 27 students had never been to the mountains.

Roberto Moreno, at one time the only professional Latino ski patroller in Colorado, argues that the resorts, which operate on federal land, must make the sport more accessible.  ”Each of those Forest permits has a fundamental obligation to its equal opportunity clauses to provide open access to all Americans.”

Her full report aired recently on the Rocky Mountain PBS show “Colorado State of Mind.” (video linked here)

Mary MacCarthy reports on economic barriers to skiing in Colorado