US ski industry lost $2 billion from coronavirus pandemic plague

FILE – In this Wednesday, May 27, 2020, file photograph, a snowboarder completes his first run at the reopening of Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort, which closed in mid-March to help in the effort to stop the spread of the new coronavirus in Keystone, Colo. Leaders in the outdoor industry hold hope for a bright future as the virus drives people to seek entertainment in the great outdoors. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

A national trade association for the U.S. ski industry says ski businesses lost at least $2 billion over the winter because of the economic collapse caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Aspen Times reports that the Denver-based National Ski Areas Association announced Wednesday that skier visits fell 14% during the latest season, compared with the 2018-2019 season. There were about 51.1 million visits in the shortened season.

Resorts were forced to closed in March following state restrictions intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

It is unclear how the pandemic will affect the 2020-2021 season. But the economic loss tied to the pandemic could increase to about $5 billion if the downtown continues.

___

Source: Associated Press