Scotland's five ski centres were open for business more often in the season just ended than the one before, with the equivalent of three extra weeks on the slopes.

The snowsports season just finished on Sunday, and it has been another excellent one for Scotland according to operators, with no fewer than 230,634 "skier days" recorded at the Lecht, Glenshee, Nevis Range, CairnGorm and Glencoe.

They ran for a total of 463 days compared to the 441 days they were open last season

Using current data it means the skiers and snowboarders generated revenue of £23.2m for the economy, spending not only at the snowsports resorts but also in their local areas.

While an estimated £4.6m was spent at the centres, the remainder, £18.6m, went to accommodation providers, places to eat and drink, shops, filling stations and other businesses.

"In many ways, this season was very similar to last year's," said Chair of Ski-Scotland Heather Negus. "We had excellent snow at most resorts and the five snowsports areas were able to operate for a total of 463 days, better than last season's 441."

She said that although results were similar for both seasons, during the previous winter Scottish resorts had enjoyed better, deeper snowfall than many world-renowned resorts, resulting in considerable media interest which Ski-Scotland was able to build on and so attract more customers

The winter just past also brought great dumps of snow almost everywhere, with unprecedented late-season powder in huge quantities for Glencoe and CairnGorm Mountain, which gave a great boost to the end of the season.

She continued: "This great, winter-quality powder brought out more skiers and boarders to slide late-season. Usually by April people are thinking of other activities, but not this year, when many chose to ski and board in T-shirts and shorts!"