Boosted by one of the best snow years in history, in a year when much of the American West was dry, the Telluride Ski Area reported its biggest year ever this week. Telski posted a total of 411,396 skier visits for the 2004-2005 season, an 11 percent increase over the 2003-2004 season. Telluride set a single day skier visit record on Dec. 30.

A skier visit represents one person skiing or snowboarding at the ski area for all or part of one day.

In addition to the record snowfall, Telski cited strong regional sales, increased group sales and an increase in the regional air program as factors that contributed to the growth in skier visits.

"We had a phenomenal snow year, and the additional sales in the group and pass areas resulted in the resorts best numbers ever," said Ken Stone, Telski's senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Telski's improvement came in a year when all of Colorado enjoyed increased business over the prior year, to the tune of over 550,000 skier visits. The state logged 11.81 million skier visits, for Colorado's third best year ever. Collectively, destination resorts, including Telluride, Aspen and Crested Butte, were up only three percent. International visits to the state were up 28 percent.

Also this week, Telski announced that Early Bird season passes will be sold between July 11 and July 29, online at tellurideskiresort.com and at the Mountain Village ticket office. The cost of an Early Bird pass will be $965, or $20 more than last year. The price compares to a regular season pass price of $1,375.

Early Bird prices are $400 for juniors (ages 13-18), $250 for kids (6-12 yrs.), and $225 for seniors (ages 65 +). With proof of 12 credit hours at an accredited college, College Passes can be purchased at a $299 early bird price, $599 regular price. Children five and under pay only $25 for a season.

Opening day for the 2005-2006 season is Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005, and closing day is Sunday, April 2, 2006.