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November 2017

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Featured Story

2017 Terrain Park Contest

Our 13th annual look at trends in design and events.

At Mountain High, Calif., the resort’s Yeti costume is incorporated into orientation—by the payroll manager— to help entertain, and introduce staff to company culture. The Yeti welcomes guests (opposite page) equally as well as it does staff.

Evolving Orientation

Written by Dave Meeker, Sarah Borodaeff

Yes, you can make the onboarding process both more entertaining and more effective, as several resorts have discovered.

Buck Hill, Minn., has installed an ambitious dry slope project from Neveplast.

Artificial Surfaces: Endless Winter

Written by Peter Olliver

Synthetic slopes are growing in number. Will operators reap the benefits of longer seasons or year-round operation?

Groom Safely

Written by Patrick Torsell

Here are 11 tips guaranteed to promote the health of man and machine.

Construction Site :: November 2017

Written by Rick Kahl

Revamped beginner terrain and facilities, new lifts, and snowmaking upgrades highlight this month’s selection of summer projects.

Speak-Out :: November 2017

Written by Tim Cohee

What Is the Return on Investment of Terrain Parks?

SAM on the Road :: November 2017

Written by Staff Report

Scenes from fall association shows, SAM Summer Ops Camp, and Mountain Tech Symposium.

News & Views :: November 2017

Written by Staff Report

President Pawlak, Quebec Conversions, Vail Resorts’ Insights, and more.

Pass Sales on the Rise

Written by Linda Goodspeed

One day, season pass sales will plateau, or even fall. But this is not that day.

Among the many steps resorts can take to help make it safer for kids to ride chairlifts, the Leitner Poma KidStop, shown here, is a practical option.

Learning to Fly

Written by Jason Perl

When young kids are riding chairlifts, it takes a village to teach them the ropes.

When booking music for events, like Mount Snow’s Reggaefest (above), choose bands that fit the event’s theme, so guests know what to expect.

Music in the Mountains

Written by Jeff Tuohy

Choose the right mix of entertainers and performers, and your music program will be a smash hit.

B4BC kicked off the 2017 Shred The Love Series at Bear Mountain.

Progression Through Events

Written by Pat Morgan

Introduce women and children to your park in programs that are tailored to their needs and interests.

Moving on Up

Written by Natalie Ooi

Helpful tips for seasonal employees seeking to make a career out of the ski industry.