Less skiers at resorts this season?

Just curious, is it me or have you noticed there are less skiers/boarders at the resorts this season?  Is it due to the recent spate of sub-zero temps, bad road conditions, or economy?  Maybe all three?  Not that I'm complaining! Just wondering what other skiers take is on this. 

It's always pretty quiet before Christmas... Combined with the late openings and bad road conditions, I've actually been a little surprised how many people have shown up at the resorts.

NPR story this morning on this topic:

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98766582

Yesterday at Crystal I spoke with a patroler who mentioned that yesterday was the busiest day of the year, and it was sparse, real sparse.
I am wondering what the fall out will be. The patroler seemed to think a longer season if there is snow, I was a bit suprised by this, as I thought being open until June/July was a money loser for them. Perhaps resorts will slow down expansion and a break in pricing, both of which seem to be benefits to skiers, particularly for backcountry/conservation skiers.

The $62 lift ticket prices at stevens pass keeps me away. Every year it costs more and more money and the skiing doesnt get any better. $62 lift ticket, plus gas to get there, plus food.


Wish I could afford those prices. That is why I only ride BC. Sucks being poor I guess.

Tomorrow will be my first day at Mt Baker. In a normal year, I'd have about 5 days in but the very late opening and long challenging drive from Everett have kept me away so far.

I was curious if the economy would be a factor this year. I always buy my season pass at the same time so I thought I'd look at my season pass number and see if there would be any difference. Turns out my season pass number was in the same general range as the past several years. Didn't seem like the economy made much of a difference to anyone who goes to Mt Baker.