HISTORIC SEASON FOR U.S. SKI TEAM
To complete an historic World Cup haul for the U.S., Ted Ligety (Park City, Utah) joined Lindsey Vonn (Vail, Colo.) and Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, N.H.) as a 2008 World Cup champion. This is the first time three American ski racers have won World Cup titles in the same season.

The trio ended the 2007-08 season with five World Cup titles between them. Miller and Vonn won two titles each. Both took the overall title—the first time two Americans have done so since Tamara McKinney and Phil Mahre in 1983. Vonn also won the Downhill Cup; Miller, the Combined. Ligety captured the season-long GS Cup.

On the Nordic side, the U.S. Ski Team’s Bill Demong set a new American mark, finishing third in the season-long overall FIS Nordic Combined World Cup standings. No American had previously finished higher than fourth.


TaoS opens to snowboarders
Taos Ski Valley opened its slopes to snowboarders on March 19, and thousands of riders turned out to hit the famous slopes and steeps. The end of the snowboard ban at the 53-year-old area leaves just three areas that remain closed to snowboarders: Mad River Glen, Vt., and Deer Valley and Alta, Utah.


Princeton Ski Shop Closes
It was the end of an era for East Coasters when the Princeton Ski Shop closed its doors after declaring bankruptcy. The shop served the Tri-State area for 91 years.


Minturn OK’s private area
A major new ski area development proposed by the Ginn Company took a big step forward with the unanimous approval of the plans by the Minturn Town Council in Colorado.

The Council approved both the annexation of the proposed development to the town and gave preliminary approval to the project, which will include 1,700 homes and condos, a golf course and a private ski area. On May 20, residents of Minturn will get their turn to approve the annexation.


Powder Ridge to remain closed
After closing last year, Powder Ridge Ski Area, Conn., almost found new life in a deal with Bob Switzgable, the owner of another Connecticut ski area, Ski Sundown. The deal was for the town of Middlefield to purchase the ski area’s 246 acres in concert with Switzgable. However, a snag over a neighboring property crucial for snowmaking caused Switzgable to back out. The area will now be scheduled for a foreclosure sale.


Two Ski Areas Hit the Market
Two small ski areas have hit the market: First, Mt. Abram in Maine, with a pricetag of $1.8 million. The 240-acre ski hill boasts 44 trails and a large tubing park. The package also includes another 400-acre parcel. The second is Sugar Loaf ski resort in Michigan, with a $5.7 million price. Sugar Loaf has 25 trails on 478 acres that are served by seven lifts and comes with a base lodge, hotel, and a small airport.


OBITS
Ski and travel journalist Paul Robbins died of an apparent heart attack at his home in February. Through his long career, Robbins wrote countless articles for all the major wintersports magazines and was a big contributor to SAM. Robbins was 68.

D.R.C. “Darcy” Brown, who oversaw the rise of The Aspen Skiing Company, died this March at the age of 95.


People
The National Ski Areas Association has hired Bridget Ericsson to replace Kate Powers as the new member services director.

In a series of staff changes at Mountain Sports Media, Ski magazine has named Greg Ditrinco editor, and Jake Bogoch has become editor of Skiing. Former Ski editor Kendall Hamilton becomes development editor for parent company Bonnier Corp.’s lifestyle and travel magazines.

At Mount Snow, Vt., Luke Stafford is the new communications manager.

In New York, Peek’n Peak announced that Steven R. Lempke will be the new president. . .Jonathan King was promoted to marketing director at Belleayre Mountain.

At Mountain Creek, N.J., Paul Jorgensen was named the new president and COO.


Supplier News
Chairkid, GmbH, a leading manufacturer of chairlift loading carpet conveyors, announced the formation of Chairkid North America for sales, engineering and support of Chairkid products. Marc Wood, PE, will oversee company operations and Joe Gmuender, PE, will head up engineering. Additionally, Jan Leonard has joined the team as sales and marketing manager.

SANY (Ski Areas of N.Y.) announced that on September 10, during its annual show, which will be held at Holiday Valley, Disney Institute is bringing its renowned professional development program, “The Disney Keys to Excellence.”

Prinoth LLC hired Tom Bishop as manager of the service department at its N.H. regional distribution center.

SE Group announced that Dave Andrews has joined the team and will be directing the land planning design studio in Bellevue, Wash.

Smith Travel Research, Inc. has acquired Boulder-based RRC Associates. Both companies will continue to operate under their unique corporate identities, out of their respective locations.

Prime Energy, a company within the Atlas Copco Group, has announced it has changed its name to Atlas Copco Prime Energy, LLC. The company rents 100 percent oil-free portable air compressors throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Congratulations to the following companies who are celebrating some big anniversaries:
Alpentech: 30 years
Avalanche Skiwear: 20 years
BSA Architects: 40 years
Gangloff: 80 years
Inter-Mountain: 20 years
SE Group: 50 years
Zehren and Associates: 25 years