“The 2012-13 season stands as a remarkable rebound from the prior year with record early openings thanks to our 80% snowmaking coverage, perfectly timed snow for the holidays, blizzard snowfall that buried our core markets’ backyards and an epic March that we haven’t seen in years,” said VSAA president Parker Riehle. “In addition, the phenomenal winter season meant over $170 million in revenues for the state’s tourism-dependent economy from the rooms & meals and sales taxes, surpassing pre-recession levels for the first time. The month of March was truly astounding, accounting for a 14% increase in the rooms & meals tax revenue over the previous year and providing a critical boost to revenues that enabled the legislature to take numerous tax increase proposals off the table.”

At the annual gathering, with a record attendance of more than 300 industry members and marketing partners, Governor Shumlin gave opening remarks and NSAA President Michael Berry presented the national perspective and continued efforts to convert new participants into skiing and riding. Jay Peak Resort president Bill Stenger was presented with the Industry Achievement Award, and Jeff Boliba, VP of Global Resorts at Burton Snowboards, received the Friend of the Industry Award. The Career Employee Awards were presented to two longtime ski area employees at Okemo Mountain Resort – Barry Tucker and Barbara Johnston. VSAA also presented a season in review video can be viewed on YouTube.