Good Jeans

By April Darrow

About a decade ago, “Cheney Skis in Jeans” bumper stickers could be found pretty much everywhere around Teton County, Wyo. It was a jab, but as it turns out, Dick Cheney was ahead of his time.

Last month, on Dec. 9, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort broke the world record for the “most people skiing and riding in jeans,” drawing more than 3,100 denim-clad denizens to the slopes for its first-ever Ski in Jeans Day. The new tally smashed the existing—yes, it existed—record of 102 people, set at New Zealand’s The Remarkables earlier this year. 

During the event, those wearing jeans in any form—actual jeans, jean jackets, jorts, jean Speedos—were eligible for a $25 lift ticket. The $175 savings on the resort’s adult weekend day ticket, which typically runs upwards of $200, helped draw a fair share of out-of-towners willing to don denim to take advantage of cheap skiing, 19 inches of new snow, and some early-season revelry. 

These included Dylan, a “coastal cowboy” who’d hopped a plane from 

Newport Beach, Calif., because, as he told NPR at the event, “skiing in jeans is freedom. That’s what it is. Skiing in jeans is freedom.” Man.

“And why not ski in jeans?” asked a group of pink-boa-clad locals. The fashion staple is a lot cheaper than the high-tech ski pant alternatives out there, and skiing is expensive enough.

Denim-clad sliders hit the slopes at JHMR, Dec. 9.

JHMR marketing director Ned Wonson said the event, which he hopes will become annual, was a way to tap into the resort’s Western spirit of hospitality and get folks on the slopes early-season. “Since jeans are an iconic piece of Western apparel, as well as recognizable ski fashion, we knew they were the perfect focal point,” said Wonson. “The idea behind attempting the world record was simply the way to turn it into a unique event.”

The resort now finds itself in the company of other world record holders, like the Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Albert Einstein (541; 2018), or Most People Riding a Surfboard (66; 2015), or to be ski-specific, Fastest Person in the World Skiing Backwards (Elias Ambühl; 131.23 kmh, or 81.5 mph; 2017). 

We asked Wonson, somewhat damply, with tongue in cheek, who skis in jeans, in Jackson Hole, in the year 2023? Was the vibe more Wrangler or Nordstrom? 

“I can’t say I saw any one trend,” he said. “But if I were to recommend a type of jean to people skiing in jeans, I would say anything that is boot cut with a little stretch.” 

Most Votes Ever in SAM Terrain Park Contest 

The SAM Terrain Park Contest started back in 2005 as “What’s in Your Park?” and included only terrain park features. It has since evolved to also celebrate terrain park events, edits, and the crews doing the work. 

The point of this annual contest is to highlight the creativity of park builders and provide ideas and inspiration for terrain park programs worldwide. It also provides exposure for the entries during the public voting period and beyond. While the votes are one measure, they are not the only judge of what makes a great feature, event, edit, or crew.

Speaking of votes, we had more than 3,500 this year, the most ever. The 19 features submissions included a rail with a boxing bell that riders can activate, a rail built in collaboration with a high school class, and a jib filled with trash collected from around a resort to illustrate the issue of littering. There were 27 event entries ranging from rail jams, banked slaloms, a relay race, fundraisers, and women-only gatherings. We also had 13 park edits and 10 crews in the mix. Innovation, progression, and community were themes in all.

This year we enlisted the help of Mt. Hood Meadows (Ore.) terrain park grooming lead Jess Goucher, who utilized her English degree to ready many of the submissions for publication. And Prinoth provided the prize package for category winners, with a free registration to Cutter’s Camp as one of the prizes.

About those category winners, this year shows it doesn’t take a gigantic resort to garner big support for a job well done. Now, without further ado, the entries that garnered the most votes in each category are as follows:  

Favorite Feature: Love Park,
Bear Creek, Pa.

Favorite Edit: C-Sessions 11.3,
Mount Snow, Vt. 

Favorite Crew: The Copper Mountain Crew, Copper Mountain, Colo.

Favorite Event: Winterfest Rail Jam, Blue Mountain, Pa.

 Congrats to our winners and to all who entered. We look forward to an even bigger showing in 2024. 

Check out all the 2023 entries at saminfo.com/terrain-park-contest.

Bye Bye Bait-and-Switch?

By April Darrow

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is gathering momentum to impose a ban on “junk fees,” which include the resort fees, occupancy fees, and service fees that most, if not all, resort lodging properties 

charge consumers but which usually aren’t disclosed up front.

In October, the FTC announced a proposed rule that would prohibit such fees, which are typically omitted from advertised prices and tacked on to a bill once a consumer is well into a transaction. According to the FTC, such “deceptive” fees are misrepresentative and can increase a tab by as much as 8 to 12 percent, causing consumers tens of billions of dollars a year in unexpected costs. 

The proposed rule comes after the FTC requested public input on the matter over a 60-day period last year. It received more than 12,000 comments—most negative—on how junk fees affect personal and business spending, prompting the agency to seek a second round of comments on the matter, which closed Jan. 8. In a nutshell, consumers have said they’re fed up with the practice.

If passed, the proposed rule would require businesses to include all mandatory fees when stating an initial price, enabling consumers to better understand how much they’re paying, what for, and to more effectively comparison shop.

To accomplish this, the rule would ban specific junk-fee practices, including hidden fees (fees disclosed only once a consumer is well into a transaction) and bogus fees (fees that are misrepresented or confusing to consumers). In the latter, businesses would be required to disclose up front the amount and purpose of all fees and whether they’re refundable.

A variety of other federal agencies and organizations are joining the FTC to implement rules prohibiting junk fees, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Transportation. 

If passed, the new rule could create headaches and opportunity for resorts. On one hand, they will need to address how they’re presenting such fees and perhaps reexamine pricing structures so they can remain competitive with comparison shoppers, who will find themselves on a levelized playing field. On the other, there may be an opportunity for resorts to roll the fees into their advertised rates—or eliminate them all together—and promote a “no fees” message. 

LETTER TO THE EDITORS

Electric Snowmobiles: Is the Silence Unsafe?

To the Editors:

I just read “It’s Electric” by Josh Laskin (SAM, November 2023). Super interesting piece. I’m just wondering whether the quieter EVs on the hill might pose safety issues, particularly for snowboarders, which I used to be. There’s always a blind spot for us coming across and around on our heel edge.  

Just a thought. Thanks.

John G. 
Stratton, Vt.

 Ed. note:

The opening paragraphs of “It’s Electric” describe Tommy Murray’s first impressions of Taos Ski Valley’s new Taiga Motors electric snowmobiles, including how impressed he was with the machine’s power, torque—and silence. Murray, who is the director of mountain maintenance, said of that first ride, “It was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had on a snowmobile.” 

The article portrays the quiet operation of electric machines as a benefit, which in many ways, it is. However, something we did not address in the article, but John G. adeptly points out, is the potential risk these quiet machines may pose to nearby skiers and riders. 

So, we asked Murray and Taos senior director of mountain operations Steve Hoxie about it.

“We operate snowmobiles on the hill during operating hours,” said Hoxie. “All of our snowmobiles, EV and [gas-powered] traditional, are equipped with sirens that operators can utilize when needed to alert guests.” 

That’s a smart solution that we’ve also witnessed at other ski areas when grooming machines or snowmobiles are operating in the presence of guests. It’s more effective than engine noise alone.

With that concern addressed, Murray reiterated his enthusiasm for the new technology: “The performance of these machines is incredible,” he said. “The only thing I can say to other resorts about them is: What are you all waiting for? Make the move.”

SUPPLIER NEWS

ACCESSO has partnered with California Mountain Resorts Company (CMRC) to update the Cali Pass and the local apps for CMRC’s four ski areas. This partnership will unite the user experience across the four resorts as well as 19 “Powder Alliance” partner resorts.

NORDICA has appointed Andy Lovell as U.S. national sales manager. Lovell brings more than 20 years of experience in the outdoors industry. Prior to joining Nordica, he served as global key accounts manager for W.L. Gore & Associates, the makers of GORE-TEX. 

Andy Lovell

PRINOTH opened a new facility in Concord, N.H., that will be used to serve the parts, service, and sales needs for customers throughout the East. The new building is nearly twice the size of its old facility, has a large parking area to store grooming machines, and a fully-equipped maintenance garage. 

INTER-MTN ENTERPRISES INC., is now the official signage supplier for the Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA). This partnership includes the development of a new industry catalog, specifically for members of the CCSAA. 

PEOPLE

In California, Mammoth Mountain hired Emily Van Greuning as public relations manager. … California Mountain Resorts Company appointed Kevin Cooper as director of communications and public relations. … Ricky Newberry is the new VP and general manager at Kirkwood Mountain Resort.

 Emily Van Greuning

Elsewhere in the West, Brundage Mountain, Idaho, appointed JP Goulet as director of sales and marketing and Chris Malouf has been hired as director of finance. … Scott Cherry was named  VP of mountain operations for Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah.

JP Goulet

Scott Cherry

Alterra Mountain Company has appointed Ron Cohen and Rob Perlman each to newly created executive vice president of regional operations roles. 

Christy Germscheid is the new executive director of Ski New Mexico. … Aspen One added to its executive leadership team, hiring Kevin Smith as chief financial officer and Stacey Reese as chief digital officer. 

Stacey Reese

In the Midwest, Detroit Mountain, Minn., has appointed Tom Thiel as its new general manager. … Brian Onofrio has been promoted to senior manager of skier services for Mad River Mountain, Ohio. … Kayla Potter was named the new director of snowsports for Boyne Mountain, Mich.

Brian Onofrio

In the East, Sunday River, Maine, hired Ellen Wainwright as its new communications director. … Trent Poole was named vice president and general manager of Hunter Mountain Resort, N.Y., following the retirement of Russ Coloton. … Black Mountain, N.H., appointed Gareth Slattery as its general manager. 

Ellen Wainwright

In Canada, Christine Schultheis is now the general manager of Kimberley Alpine Resort.

AWARDS

Ski California recognized longtime China Peak owner and current general manager Tim Cohee with the Bob Roberts Award of Excellence.

In September, Brandon Peterson, George Medina, and Michael Johnstone were the first snowboarders to be inducted into the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame. Medina and Johnstone were inducted posthumously. Among other things, the trio were the creators of the Free Taos campaign, a movement that ultimately contributed to Taos Ski Valley allowing snowboarders beginning in March 2008. 

OBITUARIES

Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) founder and 2022 U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame inductee Gwen Allard died Nov. 28. She was 86. Allard first founded the Gore Mountain (N.Y.) Adaptive Program in the 1970s before becoming the executive director of the PSIA-Eastern Education Foundation and founding the adaptive program at Ski Windham, N.Y. (now Windham Mountain Club), which eventually became the ASF. She was recognized with several awards during her career, including the Disabled Sports USA Jim Winthers Award and the PSIA-AASI Educational Excellence Award, and was inducted into the Adaptive Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Windham Mountain Club is home to the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center, named in her honor when it opened in 2005. 

Gwen Allard