Browse Our Archives

• Miscellaneous

An examination of indications that people want to be outdoors in the winter but not necessarily on skis. Notes the increase in snow sports that represent many of the same attributes skiing had at its beginnings. ...

• Consumer Equipment
• Rental
• Retail
• Ski School

A look at the new short skis, one of many new on-snow options that are surfacing. The "Big Feet" or "Snow Runners" are being surprisingly well received and are being introduced to the rental and instructional departments at ski areas. ...

• Ski Area Profiles

Tyrol Basin,Wisc., a small area that derives 25 percent of its business from snowboarding, is one of the early success stories in the integration of snowboarding and skiing. A description of the area and how it runs is included. ...

Sliding down chutes in rubber inner tubes may meet a new need for on-snow winter recreation. Brad Park has created the a 20-acre Winter Sports Park in Amesbury , Massachusetts. With 50,000 visits this winter, he has decided to pursue his dream and expand his operations. A sidebar by Daniel O'Connor that supports park's ambitions Add a commen...

• Activities
• Consumer Equipment
• Cross Country / Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is making a comeback partly because of new equipment, but also because people are finding it fun. An in-depth look at the revitalized and rapidly growing sport, with a listing of major manufacturers, assessment of the future and an explanation of how cross country areas are reaping benefits. ...

• Consumer Equipment
• Cross Country / Snowshoeing

Short cross country skis are not only easier to use, they may be more fun for gliding, skating and learning the sport. Fischer's new introduction of the Revolution short (147cm) cross country ski has received rave reviews. It is reputed to be the next leap forward in the sport and is already credited with luring novices to the sport. Add a c...

• Lift Maintenance
• Risk Management
• Safety
• Tools

The safety loop monitor is not just an expensive gadget: as the guarantor of a subtle, vital function, it is management's friend. A technical look at the problems of emergency stoppages and how a failsafe mechanism can ease the minds of operators and insurers. Includes an analysis of the problem and detailed flow chart of how it occurs.Sidebar elec...

• Grooming
• Vehicle Maintenance

Breckenridge, Colo., played host to a set of LMC over-snow vehicles for an entire season for research and development. The R&D was integral for LMC and Caterpillar, which needed an area like Breckenridge to put the machines through a wide variety of tests. Strict log books were kept and modifications were evaluated by experienced personnel. ...

• Energy
• Finance

Deregulation has made spot gas more appealing than ever for cost savings. An in-depth look at the heating gas market and the options it affords areas, with examples of what prudent attention to the gas markets can do for reducing overall energy costs. Examples, scenarios and actual definitions of the marketplace are included. ...

A look at refinements, innovations and safety measures for 1993 over-snow vehicles. Includes a two-page table with design and performance information on five classes of groomers. ...

• Racing
• Marketing
• Area Management
• Ticketing

A report on the successful ventures into electronic ticketing by SkiData at Attitash, New Hampshire. ...

• Racing

An end-of-season report on the electronic ticketing program used by Red River Resort in New Mexico. Software created by Business Support Services got good results without the typical high cost of a hardware system. ...

• Area Management
• Marketing
• Ticketing

An end-of-season look at the electronic ticketing system installed by First Tracks Corp. This system performed extensive data collection, allowing Northstar-at-Tahoe, Calif., to create a skiing club based on the number of vertical feet skied. ...

• Racing

Loon Mountain, N.H., reports a less-than-enthusiastic response to a joint research and development project on electronic ticketing systems with Delta Information Systems. An untested process presented operators with a few serious problems that, although resolved, left some questions unanswered. ...

• Racing

A review of the very successful venture into electronic ticketing and access control at Breckenridge, Colo. The system was designed in-house and will be for sale to other areas in the near future. Named Atlas, the program is touted as the next generation in lift access. ...

• Racing

Last in the series on electronic ticketing is the program developed by Copper Mountain, Colorado, and Comptrol. This system uses a bar code scanner and has received a positive response. ...

• Buildings & Grounds
• Disability Issues
• Terrain

Winter Park, Colorado, is extending its disabled program with a specialized summer facility built by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC). Called the Outdoor Center, it was proposed by the National Sports Center for the Disabled. The project includes two boardwalk trails with campsites and other features. ...

A comprehensive look at the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1992 and what it means to the ski industry. Includes a recap of John Rice's seminars from NSAA workshops on how to ease compliance. A look at where to get up-to-date information on the regulations. ...

• Conferences / Trade Shows
• Environment

A look at the proposed new timing in the NEPA process of applications and approvals meant to reduce the redundancy of the EA and EIS permits. Includes comments from the opposition at the end of the conference sponsored by Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) and the Forest Service (USFS). ...

• Conferences / Trade Shows
• History
• International
• People

A look at the meeting of the International Skiing History Association (ISHA) at Sun Valley, Idaho. Honorees of the meeting were John Henry Auran and Sir Arnold Lunn. ...

• Personnel Issues

A look at how Hunter Mountain devised an innovative reward system to keep lift attendants throughout the season. Designed by the lift operators, the bonus system has effectively reduced the number of no-shows and late arrivals by attendants. ...

Keil Thompson, of Thompson Lift Construction Company, decided to use two Belgian work horses to carry tools and equipment into a rugged and environmentally-protected area. Helicopters were then used to complete a lift removal. ...

• Racing

A look at the prevalence of phone mail systems and what the perceived effect is on the caller, including a list of do's and don'ts and an ideal set-up that puts a human operator at the controls for a more friendly service interface. ...

• Racing

A look at some computer hardware and software that allows for immediate access, via a computer and modem, to National Weather Service information and other relevant weather information. At a final cost of $0.20 per copy, it is an affordable option to the professional weather services. Note: Software made by Weatherbrief. ...

• Racing

A comprehensive look at the role of computers in the Ski School that addresses the logistical nightmares involved in peak season operations of a ski school and how automation could repair the problem. Includes the benefits of several other applications and a sidebar on how to streamline the point-of-sale process. ...

A look at bottom-line savings at Sunday River, Maine, and Mission Ridge, Wash., in using reusable plates, silverware and hot cups. So far, the resorts seem to be successful in reducing food and beverage costs. ...

3-D perspective maps (Terragraphics), Walk-in Cooler (H-Ski Products), Sign Carving Machine (Kimball Machine Co.), Fan Gun (Areco), Slope Maintenance Tractor (AR Assoc), Puff Pastries (Dawn Food Products) Aluminium Grouser Bars (Anodizing Inc.) Air Purification System (RGF 03 Systems Inc.), Reservoir heater (Proheat) ...

A look at the sport of snowboarding and how it works. Topics covered include: rider/skier relations, demographics, educating boarders, snow park construction and layout, insurance threats and ways of harnessing the snowboarding elite to help ease the transition of riders into the mainstream. ...

• Miscellaneous

A look at the season's preliminary numbers from ski areas around the country, with a breakdown by state and region. Overall impressions are positive despite the recession. ...

• Racing

A look at what ski area operators can do to help support the U.S. Ski Team. Includes examples such as the official training center program and the Aspen Supports Kids Program.(ASK) ...