Salt Lake City (December 2013)—Forbes, one of the nation’s most-respected financial and business news publications, recently ranked three of Salt Lake’s resorts as being in North America’s top 10, the most of any state and the only Utah resorts represented. Salt Lake’s three resorts are Snowbird (#2), Alta (#3) and Solitude (#10).
The ranking not only confirms Utah’s standing in the ski industry and, in particular, that of Salt Lake’s world-class resorts, it also substantiates the importance of the industry on the community. While skiers enjoy Salt Lake resorts’ 500-inch average of the “Greatest Snow On Earth,” Utah's famous powder also adds up to a considerable economic impact, as the Utah ski and snowboard industry contributes $1.29 billion to the state economy and creates 20,000 jobs.*
“Salt Lake continues to receive accolades for its business environment. Recognition of the region's tourism business from the country's leading business publication, Forbes, speaks directly to the impact of the ski and outdoor industry to the economy,” said Salt Lake County Ben McAdams. “The world continues to beat a path to our door. Visitors from all over the world are coming to our area in record numbers, and that represents an estimated $1,076 dollars per year in tax relief for every Utah household. It's a great economic story, and also says a lot about meeting the universal need for fun, relaxation and just getting away with family and friends."
According to Forbes, the ranking is determined on a “proprietary algorithm that renders for each resort what’s known in PhD circles as the Pure Awesomeness Factor, or PAF. The PAF score for each resort is the most scientific and proven way to determine how many drips of fun can be wrung from one ski trip.”
* Figures courtesy of Ski Utah.
Visit Salt Lake is a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a convention and travel destination. In partnership with Salt Lake County, Visit Salt Lake improves the area economy by attracting and providing support to conventions, leisure travelers and visitors with a strong commitment to sustainability and stewardship of the area’s natural environment. Salt Lake is a unique fusion of metropolitan and mountain; the towering Wasatch Mountains that embrace the Salt Lake Valley offer a dramatic backdrop to the vibrancy and activities of the urban environment. For more information on all that Salt Lake has to offer, go to www.VisitSaltLake.com.