PEAK RESORTS POSTPONES IPO
Thanks to shaky market conditions, Peak Resorts, Inc., announced in December that it had postponed its Initial Public Offering, which was expected to price and close before the end of 2011. Initially, the shares were expected to be priced in the $16-$18 per-share range, giving Peak an estimated market value of $152 million. Peak Resorts owns and manages 12 resorts in the East and Midwest.

CNL BUYS STEVENS PASS
CNL Lifestyle Properties, Inc., acquired Stevens Pass from New Stevens, LLC for $20.5 million. Stevens Pass Mountain Resort, LLC, an affiliate of Mountain High Resort Associates, LLC, in California, will operate the area under a long-term lease agreement.

Karl Kapuscinski of Mountain High will serve as president and CEO of both Stevens Pass Mountain Resort, LLC and Mountain High Resort Associates, LLC, and is the owner of both entities. Stevens Pass will have its own management team headed by current GM John Gifford. Mountain High Resort will be managed by VP of resort operations Ben Smith.

NSAA FORMALIZES PARTNERSHIP WITH IMBA
The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) announced that it has partnered with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) with the shared aim of increasing visitation and improving summer mountain biking experiences at U.S. ski areas.

As part of the agreement, IMBA will make available expertise and resources including trail consulting, signage and guides on risk management. IMBA can also help participating areas market their mountain bike programs through its Destinations program, a web-based travel planning resource.

OBITUARY
John Ellis, who with his father Jim, ran Aerial Engineering in Washington, died in late October after a long battle with cancer. John was only 44.

PEOPLE
Wenda Huseman was hired by the National Ski Areas Association to direct the association’s education and conference initiatives.

Earl Saline became the professional development manager for the PSIA-AASI. Laurence Gration joins the organization as deputy executive director.

Le Massif de Charlevoix appointed Claude Beaudoin the new GM.

At Mount Snow, Vt., there were several personnel announcements. First, Elia Hamilton was promoted to director of freestyle terrain at Peak Resorts. Day Franzen was hired as the new freestyle terrain manager at Mount Snow’s Carinthia. And Matt Gebo is the resort’s new marketing and events director.

At Whitetail Resort, Pa., Kathy Helm is the new mountain host supervisor. Kenneth McDaniel was promoted to lift maintenance manager. Kristen McKenrick is now digital and social media developer. Chet Naylor was promoted to lead snowmaking controller. And Jessica Sharpe is the new marketing coordinator. In addition to these promotions, Whitetail hired four new staff members: Justin Backus as assistant golf pro; Tom Kapfhammer as F&B manager; Annette Metcalfe is the new director of accounting; and Megan Robertson is the Kids Mountain Camp supervisor.

Crested Butte, Colo., welcomes Scott Clarkson as VP of marketing and sales.

Deer Valley, Utah, promoted Clint Strohl to restaurant operations manager.

Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort, Nev., promoted John Morelli to director of business development.

In California, Sugar Bowl moved Scott Ferguson up to resort operations director. . .Sally Gunter has joined Heavenly Valley as PR coordinator. . .Squaw Valley hired Jessica Richitelli as the new terrain park manager.

SUPPLIER NEWS
HKD Snowmakers announced a long-term alliance with the U.S. Ski Team as the Official Snowmaking Supplier. The first-of-its-kind partnership kicked off this past summer with the installation of 87 automated HKD snowguns at the U.S. Ski Team’s Speed Center at Copper.

Also teaming up with the U.S. Ski Team is World Cup Supply, Inc. As part of a three-year agreement, World Cup Supply will provide on-hill products to the team and be active in USSA educational efforts. World Cup Supply also supplied the B-Net and A-Net systems at the Speed Center.

Wells Fargo Special Risks announced the addition of Robert Andrews to its team as a sales executive. Andrews is an insurance broker and former director of risk management at Vail Resorts.

Johnson Controls announced the launch of an all-new website, www.johnsoncontrolssnow.com, which will be geared toward North American customers.

Gunther Williams of Idaho Sewing for Sports was honored with the Brightest Star Volunteer award in the small business category in Idaho. Williams’ company was honored for its program that allows employees four hours each week for community service.