DENVER — The trade group Colorado Ski Country USA says there were about 11.4 million skier visits to Colorado resorts this season, up nearly 4 percent from last season, when there was lackluster snowfall.

The numbers released Thursday include 6.4 million skier visits to Colorado Ski Country's 21 member resorts, plus skier visits to the four popular Colorado resorts run by Vail Resorts Inc. Vail Resorts runs Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone.

Nationally, skier visits rose 11 percent from last season to about 56.6 million, according to the National Ski Areas Association.

Colorado's ski season got off to a slow start with an unusually warm fall, though spring storms helped some resorts stay open for more weekends than originally planned.