There is positive news for the upcoming snow season in the Western U.S. and Canada. According to MTRiP (Mountain Travel Research Program) there has been a dramatic 25 percent increase in reservations taken among participating mountain resort communities during October for arrivals between October 2009 and March 2010.

In an online article at firsttracksonline.com Ralf Garrison, director of MTRiP, said "The October booking pace reflects a significant increase from 2008 and a modest return to more familiar lead times but with new patterns… a continued lack of confidence may divert holiday spending away from discretionary travel and into retail purchasing."

Although numbers are still not completely positive, snow is starting to fly and with that snow comes excitement, and the recent numbers suggest that the economy isn’t holding that excitement back. The news from MTRiP gives the industry hope, and signs of positive things to come.