All of us at Barringer & Williams want to acknowledge the extremely clear, concise and accurate comments which you included in your recent summer issue concerning the widely publicized “Sunday vs. Stratton” decision.
We and the American Home, the insurance company underwriting the NSAA program, as well as being involved in this case, are obviously extremely concerned over, not only the present verdict, but more importantly Judge Underwood’s now famous ruling issued at the end of the plaintiff’s case. We are committed to an appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court on this matter and are pleased to report have been receiving offers of encouragement and commitments of support to this appeal effort. Realizing the potential importance of the appeal effort to the entire ski industry, we solicit and encourage any constructive comments or suggestions you or your readers might have as we prepare this appeal effort.
Again, our thanks and appreciation for an extremely timely and accurate reporting on this matter.
Richard L. Williams
Sir:
Why do New Mexico ski areas seem not to exist as far as your publication is concerned? We feel we are a part of the Rocky Mountain area as reported in your regional reports. Perhaps the area covered by Charlie Meyers is too large and the southwest areas are being neglected. Maybe we need a correspondent for the New Mexico and Arizona ski areas. Maybe we, the ski areas, are not maintaining close enough contact with your publication.
Red River Ski Area surpassed the 1975-76 season, the largest on record, by 39 per cent during the 1976-77 season. This was accomplished by having a snowmaking system and good skiing from Thanksgiving to April 3, 1977. Surely this is an exception to the cover of your magazine showing a cowboy looking at the grass and is worth mention.
Can we work together to let the industry know what is happening in southwest ski areas?
Gary Hohnstein
Red River, N.Y.
Thanks for setting us straight . . . We would dearly love to expand our coverage with more stringers, but editorial budgets do not permit. However, we always welcome news and other editorial material from individual areas and/or regional area associations. The same goes for Bob MacDonald of Bridger Bowl, Mont., who wrote a similar letter.—The Editors
Sir:
Your recent issue emphasizing potential problems with energy for snowmaking was well done and most timely. However, it should probably be noted that our area and several others have significantly reduced our snowmaking energy consumption by using Snowstream 320 guns. The season of 1975-1976 we used 1500 compressor Horsepower and in 1976-1977 used only 210 electric horsepower and made much more snow. Horsepower is energy and this reduction of horsepower by 80 per cent not only saved 80 per cent of the energy we might have consumed, but also saved 80 per cent of the energy dollars.
Dick Murray
Craigmeur Ski Area, N.J.
We are pleased that Craigmeur has had success with its reduction in snowmaking energy. We must add, however, that every snowmaking supplier we have talked to has a compelling energy savings story to tell. So, we retain our editorial aloofness by proclaiming—with more truth than modesty, that we are totally ignorant on the subject.—The Editor
