The Ski Industry is White Gold for Colorado. With apologies to Kristal Kraft. Ken Deshaines, Mariana Wagner, Jessica Hughs, Steve Hewson ,Sabine Pyrchalla and anyone else who knows the working end of a snow shovel.

• The ski industry employees almost 31,000 people or 14% of tourism employment.
• The ski industry produced 2 billion - 2.5 billion dollar in 2001-2002 more than gambling, river rafting and culture combined.
• Roughly $935 million dollars came from lodging, restaurants and retail.
• During 2001-2002   6.8 million visitors came to Colorado to ski  4.8 Coloradans went skiing.

So as I curse the flakes that block my driveway, smear my windshield and make my dogs miserable this is what I see in my back yard and out my front windown.