Tropical Storm Irene: All Coverage From VPR

Ski Industry Anticipates Strong Season

Monday, 11/07/11 4:11pm

Ski industry officials are looking forward to a healthy season, despite concerns about negative publicity following Tropical Storm Irene.

Parker Riehle is President of the Vermont Ski Areas Association.

Riehle says there were initially concerns that tourists might stay away from Vermont, following news reports of extensive damage to the state.

But he says that most roads leading to ski resorts are now open, and that preliminary report reflect a successful fall foliage season.

(Riehle) "And that bodes very well for a momentum of the message and the traffic and the crowds to come on in for the winter ski season."

Riehle says that visitors to the state spend about $700 million annually during the winter ski season.