Vermont had 4.1 million skier visits, up 1.4 pct

STRATTON, Vt.

The Vermont Ski Areas Association says the state's resorts had 4.1 million skier visits during the 2009-2010 season, up 1.4 percent over the previous season.

The industry says the figure tracks with the five-year average.

The Vermont Association says other Northeastern states saw an overall decline of 2.8 percent last season.

Association President Parker Riehle says Vermont resorts did well in spite of less than perfect weather and the lingering effects of the recession. He calls it a testament to the industry's resiliency.

The association says that even though several major snowstorms missed Vermont, they fell in southern New England, New York and beyond, enticing skiers to visit Vermont.