SAM Coverage
Summer Operations
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More Than Just Looks
Landscaping has long been a low priority for winter resorts, but summer operations are giving many a new perspective. The natural landscape of most…
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Going Downhill
The prospects for mountain bike parks are looking up. Mountain resorts offer the ideal environment for a downhill mountain bike park. Still, a successful…
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It’s All a Game
When your dad is a pro event racer and your mom is an event organizer, your birthday parties are bound to rock. Adventure Games…
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Fun and Games at IAAPA
The editors of SAM, along with a number of ski area operators, attended the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo in…
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Hot Prospects
Summer operations hold the promise of high margins and profits, but achieving them takes a concerted effort. The growth of summer tourism provides winter…
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The Silver Standard
In-house expertise and a passion for mountain biking helped Silver Mountain, Idaho, build a viable summer business. Willy Bartlett spins in his chair, juggling…
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Animating the Park
Ski areas are figuring out what works at summer adventure parks, and what doesn’t. If you build it, they will come. But will they…
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Pricing Summer
Pricing summer activities is the season’s hardest task. After another mediocre winter, resorts are happily turning their attention to summer. And if winter does…
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Programs for Summer
Summer activities can be profitable. So can summer events. But the trifecta is activities, events, and programs. Industry conversations about summer operations often focus…
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Walking the Line
It’s barely five years since aerial adventure parks appeared in winter resorts, but they have become a key part of the landscape. A handful…