BOISE, Idaho (CBS 2) — The famous "Ski Idaho" license plate is celebrating 20 years this year.
Ski Idaho announced recently it's plate program has been around for 20 years - since January 1999.
Bob Looper, Brundage Mountain Co. President and Idaho Ski Areas Association board chair, said it's an important revenue stream for the nonprofit, which represents 18 alpine resorts in Idaho.
"Nearly half of Ski Idaho's funding, about 45 percent, comes from our license plate program," Looper said. "It's our biggest source of income and allows Ski Idaho to do important work like marketing our fantastic resorts to potential visitors and offering our acclaimed Idaho Peak Season Passport that lets 5th and 6th graders ski or board 18 mountains for only 18 bucks.
Almost 5,000 Idahoans have bought a Ski Idaho license plate, according to the Idaho Transportation Department.
"The Ski Idaho license plate is one of the oldest specialty license programs in Idaho," said Brian Hokanson a DMV registration supervisor. "We are proud to help promote Idaho's ski industry, as well as the other specialty license programs that raise money for worthy causes."
Idaho might even be the first U.S. state to issue a license plate with a skier.
This Idaho plate dates back to 1947, and the next-oldest ski-themed one Ski Idaho's been able to find is from Colorado in 1958.
"I've tried to track down experts on the subject to confirm this to no avail," said Tony Harrison, Ski Idaho's publicist. "However, when you search the Web for ski-themed car license plates, the oldest I've found is a 1947 one from Idaho that says 'Vacation Wonderland' and sports the silhouette of a skier in mid-jump with two snowy mountain peaks in the background. The next oldest ski-related license plate I've been able to find dates back to 1958 in Colorado."
From the Idaho Ski Areas Association:
Founded in 1982, the Idaho Ski Areas Association, a.k.a. Ski Idaho, is a nonprofit association representing 18 family-friendly alpine ski resorts. Boasting 28,000 vertical feet of terrain spanning more than 20,000 acres, Idaho is the birthplace of lift-assisted skiing, home to America's first destination ski resort, and often considered the soul of skiing. Ski Idaho resorts offer trails and backcountry for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels, breathtaking views, hundreds of inches of fresh powder, and short lift lines. More than half also serve up lift-accessed gravity mountain biking and other summer adventures. Visit here for more details.
Visit your local DMV or online to order Ski Idaho plates for your vehicles
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