LAKE PLACID -- More than 393,000 people visited Olympic venues in Lake Placid and North Creek this winter, according to the latest figures out.

Not bad, said Olympic Regional Development Authority spokesman Sandy Caligiore, given the late start to winter.

"Revenue for the entire company is almost 7 percent ahead of last year after running close to 25 percent behind in the first half of winter."

All five ORDA venues are 2,700 visitors ahead of last year, Caligiore said.

And while Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington is generating 7 percent more cash than it did last year, with 7.5 percent fewer visitors, Gore Mountain in North Creek is up 5 percent in revenue, with 23 percent more visitors.

Both ski areas remain open through this weekend. Snowstorms in March and April added a few extra weeks to the season, which is great for season-pass holders, Caligiore said.

"It made for a good recovery, given we had about half the season to work with. April storms are great for die-hard skiers and riders, but in terms of attracting the destination skier, snowstorms serve us better in November and December."

Meantime, ORDA is beginning to look forward to its busy summer season.

An update on the status of designs for the new conference center will likely be presented at the next ORDA Board meeting, Caligiore said, though a final date for that meeting has not been set.

kdedam@pressrepublican.com