Ski resort workers at three Colorado mountains are bracing for layoffs as a Canadian resort operator says the poor economy will force job cuts.

Intrawest Corp. this week did not say exactly how many jobs will go at its three owned or operated Colorado resorts -- Copper Mountain, Steamboat Ski & Resort and Winter Park. But the Vancouver-based resort operator says the drop in business at its resorts is unlike anything it has experienced in recent years.

The company employs 22,000 workers during the peak winter season in Canada and the United States.

Intrawest also operates Canada's Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort, a major venue for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.