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May 2017

 May 2017 - Ski Area Management

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  • SAM's Annual Best and Worst in Marketing 2016-2017

    There's a lot to learn from the cleverly conceived and occasionally failed marketing programs of your peers.   GENERAL   Best Ski Show StrategyBretton Woods, N.H. I’m sure dozens of resorts use this strategy already, but Bretton Woods nailed it last fall: it priced its ski show offer just right. It didn’t bring dozens of staff to sell rock-bottom lodging deals. It took a reasonable price point, something like $100 to $250, applied it to a multi-day ticket pack, and sold the flexibility of the deal. People don’t know their schedule. They don’t know when the snow will be good. But if they have money to spend, getting them into flexible ticket packs, at a decent price ...

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 May 2017 - Ski Area Management
 May 2017 - Ski Area Management

SAM's Annual Best and Worst in Marketing 2016-2017

There's a lot to learn from the cleverly conceived and occasionally failed marketing programs of your peers.

 May 2017 - Ski Area Management

Analyzing Extreme Seasons

A critical look at the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, through the lens of the NSAA Economic Analysis of United States Ski Areas.

 May 2017 - Ski Area Management

Making Snow Better

Technology advances in both air/water stick and fan guns help resorts maximize production in marginal conditions.

Timberline Lodge store at the Portland, Ore., airport.

Extend Your Brand

The best brand extensions can keep resorts on guests' minds throughout the year.

Killington partnered with Gravity Logic to enhance and expand its Mountain Bike Park, building terrain for all abilities.

Killing It in Summer

Killington, site of SAM's 2017 Summer Ops Camp this September, has developed a masterful plan for raising its summer revenues.

 May 2017 - Ski Area Management

The Evolution of NPS in the Ski Industry

Resorts are finding new ways to use the Net Promoter System, applying it to employee relations and capital spending—not just guest loyalty.

 May 2017 - Ski Area Management

New Products :: May 2017

Fun and practical innovations, from summer attractions to Stone Paper.

 May 2017 - Ski Area Management

Industry Reports :: May 2017

Aspen SkiCo/KSL Buying Binge, CNL Sale, Pass Programs and more.

 May 2017 - Ski Area Management

2016-17 Season: Thrill Ride

It was a roller-coaster year for resorts across the country—and ultimately fun for most.

An instructor at Ragged Mountain, N.H., conducts a free lesson as part of the resort’s new learn-to program, which had a very successful debut this season.

Learning From Experiments

The results from two new programs aimed at getting more newbies into snowsports have implications for resorts nationwide.

 May 2017 - Ski Area Management

Save Energy, Save Cash

Resorts have a hidden opportunity for reducing expenses through energy conservation.

 May 2017 - Ski Area Management

Mountain Spy :: May 2017

THE QUESTION: “I’M INTERESTED IN BUYING A SEASON PASS FOR YOUR MOUNTAIN, BUT I’VE HEARD THERE’S PASSES WITH OTHER MOUNTAINS ON THEM, TOO. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?”

 May 2017 - Ski Area Management

Blue Pages :: May 2017

CONSOLIDATION CONUNDRUM: Perspective and views on the recent mega-mergers and what it all means for resorts nationwide.