Mountain resorts have their share of challenging winters. Last year, the Pacific West barely eked by, and this year the East had to use snowmaking muscle to power back from a weak start. Some resorts are finding a key strategy for such times, and one that may just help push the winter sports industry to a new level in the future: broadening their markets by recognizing, attracting, and then embracing the diverse communities in a mountain resort’s demographic.

Here it comes again, hurtling toward you like that old double chair that whips into the back of your legs no matter how prepared you are for it: survey results forecasting doom and gloom for the snow sports industry. Reams of data telling you what you likely already know: snow sports participation has been flat since Franz Klammer made his epic downhill run at Innsbruck four decades ago, and it could head south, soon, if something drastic isn’t done.

Both PRINOTH and PistenBully continue the transition to Tier 4, the emission control technology mandated by the Enivronmental Protection Agency. Yes, after years of anticipation, the change is actually happening. All PRINOTH vehicles are now Tier 4. PistenBully is introducing Tier 4 more gradually, incorporating it into its PB 400 models this year. The PB 600 and 100 vehicles are still available with Tier 3 systems for a limited time. By law, manufacturers must cease production of Tier 3 vehicles by 2018.

JAY AND BURKE: GOOD INTENTIONS GONE BAD When Jay Peak, Vt., owner Bill Stenger championed the EB-5 foreign investor program as a way to develop and create jobs in Vermont’s employment-starved Northeast Kingdom, he was praised as a visionary. His relatively silent partner in this renaissance was Florida businessman Ariel Quiros, who initially reached an agreement with Stenger to purchase Jay Peak in 2006. Then in 2008, purchase it he did—but didn’t use the right account to pay for it.

Tissue boxes, recycled dispensers, and the many uses of Trex

The NSAA Beginner Conversion Study delves deep into the learn-to process.

Managing and shifting risk when hosting third-party events.

This month's Mountain Spy asks a rather unusual but not implausible question. It does more than simply test how broad-minded a resort is though—it reveals how sensitive guest service issues are handed.

As workers' comp costs rise, it's time to establish a culture of safety.

Thanks for everything, or nothing.