COPPER SOLD TO POWDR
Intrawest and Powdr Corp announced a definitive purchase agreement in November 2009 to sell Intrawest’s interests in Copper Mountain to Powdr Corp. The transaction was closed on December 18. This winter it will be business as usual for Copper, which will honor the multi-mountain season pass products, vacation reservations and joint marketing initiatives.


MOONLIGHT FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY
In mid-November, 2009, Moonlight Basin, Mont., voluntarily filed for bankruptcy to protect itself in the face of foreclosure efforts by its primary lender, Lehman Bros. Eventually, the two reached an agreement and Lehman Bros. offered up $24 million in interim financing to keep the area operating and to pay off certain contractors. The overall debt to Lehman Bros. was $200 million before the deal was struck.


RETAIL SALES (FINALLY) UP
The snow sports retail market achieved a 12 percent increase in unit sales and a 10 percent increase in dollar sales compared to August through October 2008, according to the SIA Retail Audit. Apparel sales were especially bright, up 13 percent overall to $242 million. All sales channels grew in 2009, as the sales total topped $520 million.
Chain stores were up four percent in dollars to $80 million and 12 percent in units. Specialty stores were up four percent to $276 million and Internet sales increased 26 percent in sales to $164 million and rose 28 percent in units.


TERRAIN PARK CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The votes are in for SAM Magazine’s annual terrain park contest. The winner are Aspen/Snowmass with its quarterpipe/step-down/pond-skim feature, which was featured on the November 2009 cover of SAM; Northstar-at-Tahoe with its B multi-purpose feature; Holimont for its VW jib; and Big Boulder for its stair feature. To see these features, check out the November issue our visit www.saminfo.com/events/cutters.php?tid=1184


OBITUARIES
Neal Mix, former owner of Rib Mountain Ski Area, Wisc., for 14 years (now Granite Peak) died November 1, 2009.

Stanley J. Marszalkowski, 83, former owner of Klein Innsbruck Ski Area in Rhode Island, died October 18, 2009.


PEOPLE
Scott F. Pierpont, GM of Grand Targhee Resort, Wyo., will become the new chairman of the ANSI ASC B77 Committee in May 2010 following a transition period.

Stratton Mountain, Vt., named Eric Langman as its new terrain park manager.

Wildcat Mountain, N.H., hired Dave Chandler as rental and tune shop manager, Lesley Kology as F&B director and Celeste Welsh as guest services manager.

The Olympic Regional Development Authority in Lake Placid, N.Y., named Jon Lundin as its PR coordinator.

At Camelback, Pa., Bill Toye was promoted to VP of mountain operations.

Park City, Utah, announced that Jeremy Cooper is the resort’s new terrain park manager.

Vail Resorts promoted Doug Lovell to COO and VP of Keystone Resort, Colo.

Angel Fire Resort, N.M., named Robin May ski school director.

Mountain High, Calif., hired Josh Chauvet as action sports manager.


SUPPLIER
Leitner-Poma of America announced that it is hiring Jon Mauch to become part of the team. Mauch comes from Vail Resorts where he was lift director at Keystone and Breckenridge.

Trask Decrow Machinery has reached an agreement with Pentair Industrial Pumps to be their sole, authorized New England, industrial distributor. For more information, visit www.trask-decrow.com or www.pentairindustrial­pumps.com.

Skiset, a European ski and snowboard rental company, has expanded to North America and plans to have over 70 stores at major resorts in the U.S. and Canada for the 2009/2010 season. Heading up North American ops is Tony Lyle, former head of international sales and marketing at Vail Resorts. For more information, visit www.skiset.us or www.skiset.ca.

Resort Technology Partners developed RealSki, an augmented reality (AR) app for the iPhone 3GS, which navigates trails and on-mountain features at select North American resorts. Visit www.rtp.com for more information.

Northpole Design announced that Ski Sundown will feature the company’s Snowcurity System this season to avoid equipment theft. Visit www.northpole­design.com for more information.

Ski Butlers Breckenridge was sold to Ski Butlers founder and president, Bryn Carey. Breckenridge joins the Vail and Park City venues under Ski Butlers.