GLENS FALLS, New York — The Governor of New York State has proposed a budget which contains a sales tax on lift tickets and lessons. Ski Areas of New York, Inc. (SANY), a trade association that represents the ski industry in New York State, opposes this proposed sales tax. SANY wants skiers and riders in New York to know the facts and to provide them with a simple and easy method to contact their state legislators. To that end, SANY launched the new site www.stoptheskitax.com last week. SANY’s member resorts are supporting the distribution of this site by including it on their websites, contacting their skiers and riders, and posting information at tickets windows and in cafeterias. Some resorts have posted signs at their access roads, while others have printed the website on their lift tickets.

The ski tax will increase the cost of this sport and impact the many school programs offered by NYS resorts. Many of these programs are priced at a level that is affordable to children. Last year over 500,000 children learned to ski and ride in NY. SANY President Scott Brandi stated “The Governor has proposed an obesity tax that taxes the sale of soda. The premise is to tax products that are unhealthy to our children. He has been an advocate for outdoor recreation but his proposed sales tax on skiing, camping, golf, health clubs, karate schools and other forms of recreation contradicts this.” New Yorkers and the New York State Ski Industry can not afford an 8% sales tax on lift tickets and lessons.

The ski industry is an important economic engine in upstate New York. Based on a recently completed economic impact study, it has an impact of 1.1 billion dollars in the four months of winter. It is the winter tourism economic engine in upstate New York. The industry employs 18,000 New Yorkers and adds much to the quality of life for New Yorkers. Did you know New York State has the most ski resorts in America? 47 resorts are based in New York. New York is fifth in the nation in skier visits; over 4 million ski and ride our slopes every year. SANY is asking the public to check out www.stoptheskitax.com and help keep winter recreation affordable in New York. For more information on New York skiing and Ski Areas of New York, Inc., go to www.skiandrideny.com.