Colorado Ski Country USA is no longer providing the number of skier and snowboard rider visits that each of its member resorts recorded last season. This change in a decade long policy of releasing such information comes on the heels of one of the toughest seasons in history. In addition, Colorado Ski Country has taken down all past season skier visitation data on their website.

Colorado Ski Country’s Melanie Mills and Dave Bellack talk about the policy change in an Aspen Times article:

Colorado Ski Country USA has traditionally provided the number of skier and snowboard rider visits that each of its members recorded over the course of the ski season. But member resorts suggested a change of policy to Colorado Ski Country staff. And no objections were raised at a recent meeting of the trade group’s board of directors, said Melanie Mills, president and CEO of the trade group.

Dave Bellack, Aspen Skiing Co. attorney and chairman of Colorado Ski Country’s board of directors, said the change was sought for competitive reasons. Representatives of some resorts argued that their in-state competitors would copy their marketing and other business tactics if they showed growth in skier visits. They wanted the number more closely held.

Bellack noted that the ski industry went from its best season ever in 2006-07 to one of its toughest seasons in just two years.

“You could afford to be complacent in 2006, and now you can’t be complacent about anything,” he said. In this case, some member resorts feel it would be best to guard their skier visits, he added.

Mills downplayed the significance in the change of how Colorado Ski Country handles skier visits. The numbers don’t reflect revenues or profits, so their value is limited, she said.

However, the measure of visitation has been the ski industry standard for years.

“Times change. It’s a competitive world out there,” Mills said.