SAM Coverage
Linda Goodspeed
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My Kingdom for a Busload
As energy costs rise, shuttle buses and organized trips may well take on increased importance. Vail Resorts’ acquisition this summer of the Colorado Mountain…
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Playing the Value Card
What, us worry? The price of gas doesn’t faze ski areas. In China the character for “crisis” can mean either chaos or opportunity. In…
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Season Passes for Sale
Pass possibilities continue to expand and results are good. A coast-to-coast, beginning-to-end outstanding snow and ski season is already carrying over to next winter.…
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God Bless Snowmaking!
Is it worth the expense to get the season started early? Snow came to many parts of resort country in early December, but Thanksgiving,…
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Pricing it Right
Is there such a thing as too much of a discount? Pricing has always been a big part of many ski resorts’ marketing strategy.…
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Midweek Blues
Can we put new life in old ideas for driving business? Discounts, special events, programs, promotions—ski areas have tried them, and keep trying them,…
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Extreme Season Ends Well
It’s no surprise-wherever and whenever the weather cooperated, skiers and riders turned out en masse. Cupid shot an arrow straight through the heart of…
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Weather Trumps All
One thing’s for sure about this winter: there’s nothing normal about it anywhere. Weather extremes—-record snowfall in the Pacific Northwest and Colorado and the…
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Snow? Who Needs Snow?
The early season brought its usual heartache and cheer. As usual, the U.S. ski season is once again a story of contrasts. Despite record…
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The New PR Paradigm
Areas are adding tools-and dedicated employees-to increase guest communications via the web. Selling, informing, booking, motivating, entertaining—you name it—ski areas are doing it on…
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Getting Together
When most of the business is shrunk down to four short months, communication between departments is crucial. Here’s how some area keep the lines…
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A Mixed Bag
In case we forgot, weather is king and will make the difference between good and great seasons. Record snowfall in the Northwest, Colorado, Utah…
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Switching On the Off Season
For more and more resorts, summer business is becoming a way of life. “We have 882 lodging rooms open 365 days a year, so…
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A Great Start
This year’s season got off to a record-breaking start for many and a nice rebound for others. If the ski season had ended the…
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Camps on the Rise
Summer camps for families and kids are boosting the bottom line at winter resorts nationwide. As ski resorts around the country hunt for ways…
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2016-17 Season: Thrill Ride
It was a roller-coaster year for resorts across the country—and ultimately fun for most. Despite some ups and downs in the Midwest, the ski…
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Life is a Carnival
In spring, guests’ fancies turn to music, beer, barbeques, and pond skimming. Spring in ski country is more than soft snow and sun. It’s…
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Dealing with Collegians
To attract the college crowd, the price must be right. Give us a D! Give us an E! Give us an A! Give us…