SAM Coverage
The Editors
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Tariff Troubles, Again
The details of the trade fight have changed since last year, but the basic problem hasn’t. For ski areas and suppliers on both sides…
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Canada West Loves Its Small Ski Areas
CWSAA is expanding financial support to help more small ski areas participate in industry education and risk management events.
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Summer Business Split
SAM poll respondents from across North America had plenty of explanations—good and bad—for how business was shaping up this summer.
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Mountain Spy :: The “You Asked What?” Edition
The Spy revisits some of the funkiest calls from the archives. Yes, we sometimes ask a question that might seem odd, weird, or completely…
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New Products :: July 2026
Products for safety, guest convenience, and recreation for operators to consider. Kong: Marlow Gravitas Rope The Marlow Gravitas is Kong’s new 11 mm static rope,…
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New Products :: May 2026
New operations and guest experience products for operators to consider. SkiHill: Climber LV 800 Pro The SkiHill Climber LV 800 Pro is a remote…
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Mountain Spy :: Summer Edition
The Spy reopens 20 years of case files to ask, “Have we gotten better at selling summer?” Twenty years of Mountain Spy have produced…
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Thoughts and Predictions
SAM readers look into the crystal ball. After four straight seasons with more than 60 million U.S. skier visits, 2025-26 may be the winter…
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Mountain Spy :: First Tracks
The Spy revisits calls from never-evers to celebrate 20 years of undercover missions. It’s Mountain Spy’s 20th anniversary year, and we’re back in the…
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Mountain Spy :: January 2026
The Spy reopens the case files to celebrate 20 years of undercover calls. This year is the 20th anniversary of Mountain Spy, and to…
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Mountain Spy :: November 2025
The Spy asks: “I’m coming for your (beer) festival. Is Uber available for a ride home?” A lot of ski areas hold brewers’ festivals,…
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Linda Goodspeed, Longtime SAM Contributor, Says Farewell
A longtime SAM writer bids farewell. After 35-plus years contributing to SAM, I have decided to finally hang up my skis and press credentials.…
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Mountain Spy :: September 2025
The Spy asks: “I’ve never ridden a bicycle. Can I learn to mountain bike at your bike park?” Ski and snowboard schools regularly welcome…
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News & Views :: September 2025
A budget pass boom; Nederland’s Eldora gambit; Kottke conclusions; early SIA data; and more. Budget Pass Boom Starting at 419 Swiss francs (about US$515),…
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Idea Files :: July 2025
A portable mock control panel for training lift operators. CONTROL PANEL TRAINER Monarch Mountain (Colo.) lift operations supervisor Robert Clarkson wanted to make it…
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Letter to the Editors :: July 2025
In response to “The Child Care Gap,” May 2025, SAM I’m so grateful to writer Annie Fast for taking the time to research and…
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Mountain Spy :: July 2025
The Spy asks: “I have an infant. Can I bring her on the chairlift?” Ski resorts often tout their family-friendliness and multigenerational appeal—and the…
