Ski resorts had an excellent year on the slopes

It was a banner ski season for most of the state's ski resorts, according to figures from Ski New Mexico.

Although the snow started late, shortening the ski season, there was plenty of it in the northern mountains, causing a four percent increase in the number of skier days for the 2007-08 season over the 2006-07 season.

The number of skier visits to the eight resorts that are members of Ski New Mexico totaled 716,477, up from 689,244, but down from 2004-05 when ski visits totaled 954,181.

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Sandia Peak had 93 inches of snow while some of the skis areas in the northern mountains had as much as 293 inches.

The members of Ski New Mexico are: Taos Ski Valley, Red River Ski Area, Angel Fire Resort, Sandia Peak, Ski Santa Fe, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort, and Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area.

Ski New Mexico worked with KOAT-TV, Channel 7 to bring new skiers to the slopes with its "Kids Learn to Ski/Ride" program, which brought 730 New Mexico children to the sport over three weekends.

Ski New Mexico also announced its Best of the Best winners, a program that recognizes the best individual efforts of ski industry employees.

James Hampton of the Enchanted Circle Ski School was named best Nordic ski instructor. Best ski patrol went to Jack Dant of Santa Fe Ski Resort. Tucker Van Ormer of the Junior Racers Red River Ski Team won best ski racer. Best mountain operations went to Mike Green of the Red River Ski Area. Ana Hayden, also of Red River Ski Area, won best customer service. And Jeff Speck, with Jade Enterprises in Albuquerque, won best skier of New Mexico.