Wolf Creek posts record skier attendance numbers during 2011-2012 season

With many Colorado ski areas closing this weekend (some of them ahead of schedule) and recent headlines bemoaning this season's abysmal snowpack across the state, it's easy to lament the sad state of this year's ski and snowboard season. But let's accentuate the positive for a moment: Yesterday, Wolf Creek...

By Colin Bane

April 10, 2012

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With many Colorado ski areas closing this weekend (some of them ahead of schedule) and recent headlines bemoaning this season's abysmal snowpack across the state, it's easy to lament the sad state of this year's ski and snowboard season. But let's accentuate the positive for a moment: Yesterday, Wolf Creek Ski Area reported that it had surpassed its all-time record for the season by more than 3,600 skier visits.

"Wolf Creek set an attendance record with a skier count of 226,667," the ski area reported; the previous record was set in the 2006-2007 season with 222,979 skier visits. And there's more good news: With 373 inches of snow this season, 69 inches still at midway and 81 inches still at the summit, Wolf Creek -- which had been scheduled to close after Easter -- is looking at the feasibility of reopening for weekends through the end of April.

Via WolfCreekSki.com: "Reopening is dependent on quality powder conditions. Please keep in touch with our website for updates on conditions."

Still looking to get your spring shred on closer to Denver? Eldora, Copper Mountain, Vail and Beaver Creek are open until April 15. Winter Park is open until April 22. Breckenridge is open through April 15, with extended season days, Friday through Sunday, until April 29. Loveland is open until May 6.

And while Arapahoe Basin probably won't make it to the 4th of July this season, the ski area hasn't yet announced an official closing day, and has events on the calendar through May 27, when the eleventh annual Festival of the Brewpubs is scheduled. One word for those of us still living the dream: sunscreen.

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