Browse Our Archives

May 2016

Below is the Table of Contents. We have selected a few articles that you can read in their entirety online.

To order an article that is not online or a back issue of SAM Magazine, email donna@saminfo.com.

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Featured Story

Best/Worst Marketing 2015-16

May 12, 2016

SAM's annual review of marketing hits and misses.

To Our Health!

To Our Health!

Written by Dave Rathbun
Charting the long-term trends at U.S. resorts through the lens of the NSAA Economic Analysis of United States Ski Areas.  
A Teachable Season

A Teachable Season

Written by Ken Gaitor
A look at the lessons learned from a winter tht humbled even some of the best snow management teams.

Buy Now and Save

Written by Dave Meeker
Online ticket sales give customers a means to find bargains and buy in advance. Are resorts reaping any benefits, too?
The Challenge of Being Small

The Challenge of Being Small

Written by Timothy Sweeney
Six small-area leaders join a wide-ranging roundtable discussion.
Gateway to Happiness (and Profitability)
RFID access gates are a convenience to guests and a surprisingly cost-effective tool for operators.

More Than Just Looks

Written by Adam Portz
Landscaping has long been a low priority for winter resorts, but summer operations are giving many a new perspective.
Going Downhill

Going Downhill

Written by Mark Hayes
The prospects for mountain bike parks are looking up.
Publisher's Memo :: SAM's Very Own Trailblazers
A year ago we kicked off a new series in SAM, called Trailblazers. It highlights those who have had the courage and creativity to see opportunity where...
Industry Reports May 2016

Industry Reports May 2016

Written by The Editors
WILMOT'S $13 MILLION OVERHAUL... WHISTLER BLACKCOMB RENAISSANCE... KILLINGTON INVESTING IN SUMMER... PEOPLE... AWARDS... OBITUARIES... SUPPLIER NEWS

An El Niño Year

Written by Linda Goodspeed
Thanks for everything, or nothing.
Safety is Job #1

Safety is Job #1

Written by Ryan Lavoie
As workers' comp costs rise, it's time to establish a culture of safety.
Mountain Spy :: Nudist Wedding Ceremony?
This month's Mountain Spy asks a rather unusual but not implausible question. It does more than simply test how broad-minded a resort is though—it re...
Being a Good Host to Yourself

Being a Good Host to Yourself

Written by Andrew H. Maass
Managing and shifting risk when hosting third-party events.
What Never-Evers Want

What Never-Evers Want

Written by Dave Zook
The NSAA Beginner Conversion Study delves deep into the learn-to process.

Idea Files :: May 2016

Written by Sam Geise
Tissue boxes, recycled dispensers, and the many uses of Trex

Blue Pages :: May 2016

Written by The Editors
JAY AND BURKE: GOOD INTENTIONS GONE BAD When Jay Peak, Vt., owner Bill Stenger championed the EB-5 foreign investor program as a way to develop and cr...