Visitors to North Carolina's six ski areas spent $88 million last season on lift tickets, equipment rentals, lodging and more.

The total economic impact of the industry was $146 million, according to an economic-impact study commissioned by the N.C. Ski Areas Association. That includes an estimate of employment value and other ripple effects of the industry.

The industry provides 96 year-round jobs and 1,556 seasonal jobs, according to the analysis, conducted by RRC Associates, a market-research firm in Boulder, Colo.