Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area hit a December record of nearly 18,000 skier visits, a 10.9 percent increase compared with last year.

"Exceptional snow quality is credited as one of the primary reasons for the upbeat in participation," said Phil Edholm, president and CEO of Lookout Pass.

"We always have the highest quality snow," said Christopher Barrett, marketing director at Lookout. "That's always going to trump so many other factors."

He said Lookout also has been making an effort to be more visible on social media, such and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and that keeps snow on skiers' minds.

"They feel more informed and they are excited to be here," Barrett said.

Additionally, Lookout's snow sports school has seen an uptick in activity, said Barrett, who doubles as the school's director. He said the number of lessons purchased has increased 20 percent.

"We have brought in some of the best coaches," he said.

He said the increased activity is likely to continue for the rest of the year.

Other North Idaho ski areas have seen a jump in skier visits because of the great conditions.

"In terms of snow, we had an amazing December," said Sean Briggs, marketing coordinator at Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

For the holiday period of mid-December through the first week of January, skier visits were up 21 percent at Schweitzer, said Briggs. It was a record holiday, following a record holiday season last year.

"We had record summit snowpack for this early in the season," Briggs said. "We had tons of powder days leading up to the holidays."

The day after Christmas, Schweitzer reported it had been pummeled with more than 180 inches of snow this season. The early season snow allowed Schweitzer to open all 2900 acres of terrain with a village depth of 77 inches and a summit depth of 109 inches.

Snow report records dating back to the 1982-1983 season show this as the deepest early season snowpack on record, Schweitzer reported. It is well on its way to eclipsing the average annual snowfall of 300 inches.

More than $1 million was invested at Schweitzer, including a remodeled ski and ride center. That contributes to the increased traffic on the mountain.

"That building just didn't match as well with the rest of the Schweitzer village," he said.

The specialty foods market, Gourmandie, doubled in size, Briggs said.

Representatives from Silver Mountain Resort couldn't be reached for comment.