May 2019 - Ski Area Management

Featured Story

Record Crowds: High Points and Headaches

The first sign that something different was happening came in mid-November. It was the weekend of the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo in D...

Best and Worst in Marketing 2018-19

Written by Gregg Blanchard, Alex Kaufman, Dave Meeker, Meghen Townsend, Mary Walsh, Sarah Wojcik

We offer opinionated, fun, occasionally contentious reviews of the season's marketing initiatives, to inform and inspire future efforts.

Not What, But Why?

Written by Marie-Josée Legault

Emotive marketing—tapping into why people do the things they do—can be just the thing for a resort's marketing plan.

Controlling Costs

Written by Elizabeth Whalen

A big-picture look at the NSAA Economic Analysis of United States Ski Areas. As revenues rise, can resorts do more to get expenses under control?

Humble Beginnings

Written by Moira McCarthy

Resort industry leaders and personalities share personal stories of their first time on skis in this third installment of #MyFirstMountain.

Summer Rising: Part 3

Written by Tom Foley

Summer business has been booming, but it's now bumping up against some of the same constraints as winter business.

Set Up for Success in Gatlinburg

Written by Katie Brinton

This resort town on the edge of the Great Smokey Mountains can teach winter resorts a great deal about summer business.

Photos, clockwise starting upper left: Granite Bistro at Squaw; Sun Valley’s Village Station; Seating at Granite Bistro; Seasons Restaurant at Windham; Stratton’s Grizzly’s.

Eat Here

Written by Moira McCarthy

Guest expectations for food and beverage at resorts have long gone unmet. Here are several resorts that are changing that story for the better.

SAM Summit Series 2019—Part 3: Sustainability

Written by The Editors

Resort leaders speak frankly about the essentials for sustainable resorts: commitment, culture, collaboration, and a champion.

Publisher's Memo :: May 2019

Written by Olivia Rowan

Follow the Leaders; How to Follow Up on a Great Season.

News and Views :: May 2019

Written by The Editors

Season's Pass Fallout, Summer Survey, People and Suppliers News

Trailblazers :: May 2019

Written by Peter oliver

Bill Irwin :: Champion of developing the best possible gear for beginners.

A Peak, Even Epic, Year to Remember

Written by Linda Goodspeed

The best snow in years and the explosion of multi-area passes push visits to new highs.

Tenants for Turns

Written by Peter Oliver

Incentivizing homeowners to house employees is one answer to the employee housing squeeze.

Electronic Controls: To Upgrade, or not?

Written by Mike Lane

A B77 “interpretation” encourages resorts to upgrade electronic controls on older chairlifts.

New Products :: May 2019

Written by Sarah Wojcik

A collection of the latest technology and tools aimed at refining opertions and improving the guest experience.

Mountain Spy :: May 2019

Written by Dave Meeker

The Question: I’m thinking about buying a season pass for next year, but I’ve heard it’s been really crowded this year. Are there plans to try an...

Guests purchase tickets at Beaver Mountain, Utah.

What Do Guests Really Want?

Written by Scott Hannah

Yes, guests want great snow, quality food, and cheap tickets. But these aren’t necessarily what drives their likelihood to return or recommend.

Indemnification Clauses

Written by Jordan Lipp, Esq.

A brisk, clear-eyed look at the most important, boring aspect of risk management.

Top Prospects :: May 2019

Written by The Editors

Profiles of CSU ski area management program graduates.

Snowmass’s Treehouse Kid’s Adventure Center serves as home base for families from the time kids are babies until they blossom into teens.

Deep Roots

Written by Andrea Chacos

The Treehouse at Snowmass weaves nature with convenience to provide year-round programming for children.

Berkshire East’s 10-acre solar field and wind turbine. Photo courtesy of New England Drone Productions

Doing Well by Doing Right

Written by Allen Best

Berkshire East Mountain Resort, Mass., may become the first ski area in North America, and perhaps the world, to be powered 100 percent by carbon-free ...

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2019