PARK CITY -- Northern Utah ski resorts report doing brisk business over the holidays, in some cases seeing record numbers.

Park City Mountain Resort had two strong weeks; The Canyons and Deer Valley reported record numbers; Snowbasin and Powder Mountain Winter Resort marked high points as did Solitude Mountain Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

"We had a better holiday than last year," said Scott Dudevoir, the store manager at Cole Sport on the plaza at Park City Mountain Resort.

Holiday traffic began a week before Christmas. "It started soft but then it really kicked in hard," he said. "It's been real busy."

On Friday, The Canyons resort recorded its busiest day ever, said Katie Eldridge, public relations director. "It's been amazing. For the holiday week, we're up 30 percent over last year," she said.

The Canyons hosts visitors who come to spend an entire week during the holidays, but the resort also sees skiers who stay for two or three days after a snowstorm, she said.

"Word is getting out how easy it is to pop into Utah for great skiing," she said.

Snow didn't come as early or as heavy this year as it did last season, and that was just as well for Powder Mountain, said spokesman Marc Poulsen.

"Last year, we had so much snow that people couldn't get up here," he said. "This year, with the warm weather, they've been looking for resorts with higher elevations."

By Monday, Powder Mountain had a two-day storm total of 24 inches.

Snowbasin saw records for skier numbers, said spokeswoman Mary Rowland.

"We experienced strong growth in numbers over the holiday," she said. "As a result, we're ahead of last year's numbers. That's encouraging."

In Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird had what could be its three busiest days, said spokeswoman Laura Schaffer. "We've had a very good week. It's at least comparable to last year." Since Dec. 26, Snowbird has received 54 inches of snow.

In Big Cottonwood Canyon, holiday ski tourism also was up, said Solitude spokesman Jay Burke.

"We've seen more skiers and more people in the village. We couldn't be happier," he said. "For the last 14 days, we've done really well. We are definitely up over last year."

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D6.