Every fact sheet should have:
- Complete address, telephone, night and day, for the mountain spokesperson, the publicity director; the complete address for the area; the complete address for the resort association, chamber of commerce or housing service, if such exist: the name of the county.
- Name of mountain—believe it or not, some very big areas are very vague about this—plus the name of the corporation that operates it, name of president or chief executive, area manager, if that is different; ski school director; racing coach. Names of the patrol head or mountain manager aren’t needed; besides this just gives us unofficial contacts which could be counter-productive for you. If you are owned by a parent company involved in other projects or ski areas, specify.
- Innovations of the coming season: nutshell information that might be given elsewhere in press kit. State (and not below that you are recapping) the vital statistics of a new lift or trail. Mention new services and new personnel (stress subtly if key person is female or minority-group member).
- Specifics on the ski hills(s): Name, if different from the area name. Base elevation. Summit(s). Verticle drop, Directions slopes face. List each trail, giving name, classification, slope length, vertical drop. Give precise figures. Note any unusual fact.
- Lifts: List name or identifying number, type, base elevations, slope length, vertical drop, operating hours. If interesting say why the name? Why famous? FIS? Capacity is not an interesting number.
- Base facilities. Types and names of restaurants or bars. Hours. Special services. Name of concessionaire, if such. Other facilities included: nursery, rental, ticket window, dancing, etc., specifics on whatever is there.
- Ski School: Director, method taught, hours, prices, special prices.
- Snowmaking. If used, state trails covered, percentage of area covered, length in feet of longest trail.
- Related Services. Adapt this to your features. If you have a nursery, state hours, prices, ages accepted, lunch or naps provided, special qualifications. If rentals, state brands, prices, hours, GLM. If touring, give hours, length and type of trails, type of maintenance, availability of rentals, lessons.
- Prices. Complete information on lifts, packages, season passes. Is there a multi-area ticket available; give details.
- Housing. Specify what mountain company controls, what reservation services controls, number of beds, in relation to location (how many within walking distance? In next town?) Availability of housekeeping units, specifics on reservations services, sample prices, system for packaging ski weeks if any.
- How to reach area. Miles from major city, major airport actually used by skiers, provision for private planes, trailers, advisable routing, if questionable.
- Racing and special programs. Nastar? Citizen racing? Camps? Junior programs? Freestyle? For locals or for outsiders? Costs? Coaches?
- History: Precise date operating started. Names of previous owner(s). Dates of important innovations. Years when truly important races were held.
- After-ski. Where is nearest bar selling alcohol? Beer? What age or other key restrictions apply in the region? Name key places and special attractions, e.g., rock, folk music, jazz, view of river.
- What daytime alternatives exist—touring, skating, swimming, bowling, hang-gliding? Give name of operation, location, hours, prices, pertinent facts.
- Is there a reserved skiing policy? How does it work?
- Parking. How many cars in paved lots? Unpaved? Is there a charge?
- What is nearby that interests skiers? Antique shops, historical landmarks, etc.
- Your snowreporting policy. Do you telephone stations and papers on request? Do you file with your state promotion agency or with UPI? What information do you make available?
Your fact sheet should end with a note, inviting the media to call whenever they have further questions or photo needs. Don’t worry about length; if every line is fact-filled, it will be welcome.
