We owe everyone in the East a big apology. In the January issue of SAM, in this very column, we bragged about tunneling through mountains of snow to get to work. We cutely suggested that perhaps Mother Nature should get a SAMMY for her effort. We should have known better. That broad has a vicious sense of humor. Not two days after we smugly sent that issue to the printer, it got warm…and it rained. But, we took it in stride. Indeed, one of us actually showed up during Christmas week at Mohawk Ski Area, Conn., in a convertible, with our skis sticking out. Mistake number two. Mother Nature took one look at that and said, “Oh yeah? Drive around in your fancy little convertible in this!”— “this” being temps that struggled to get to zero on occasion. Not only could we not go topless, as it were, but couldn’t “go” because our tires were frozen in place.
Please accept our apologies for taunting Mother Nature the way we did. We will never do it again.
By now, things have settled down in the East and we are looking to the end of another season. To help with that, we have put together an issue that is sure to give you some ideas for the future. Starting with our Economic Analysis on page 35, which provides excellent insight into the industry’s performance last season, and an interview with NSAA president Michael Berry (page 44) about what lies ahead, the marketing and financial folks will have plenty to chew on. For the more hands-on, check out our round-up of New Products on page 40 and see how technology streamlined Park City on page 38. And if you just want a good laugh, the End Page on page 66 will give you just that…or give you an image that, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t get rid of. You’ll see what we mean.
This is also the last chance to get your nominations in for the 7th annual SAMMY awards. So for all those times you thought, “That person deserves a medal for his/her work,” well, now is your chance to properly recognize them with a SAMMY award. We would also like to thank our SAMMY sponsors, Acordia, Leitner-Poma and OVO Helmets, for their continuing support of the event. Forms can be found on our website at www.saminfo.com/nominate.htm or on page 23.
Finally, last May marked the first annual Cutter’s Camp at Timberline Lodge, Ore. SAM is pleased to once again work with the good folks at Timberline to co-host the second annual Cutter’s Camp, from May 2 to 6, 2004. The future success of our industry lies in great part in how well trained and educated our staff is—especially when it comes to freestyle terrain. We’re not just talking about how to build big hits, but how to maintain and monitor this terrain, as well as how to teach our customers how to safely use our parks and pipes. In this issue, you will find a registration form for this unique program. Spots are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. And thanks again to the sponsors of this event: Bombardier, Burton, FallLine, Kässbohrer, Salomon, Sorel and Zaugg.
With that, we’ll let you get to the rest of the magazine. And we promise never to brag about the weather again.
