SAM Magazine—Woodbury, Conn., July 12, 2018—The SAM Summer Ops Camp has added several sessions that reflect the needs of summer ops 2.0, the next evolution of this growing business. Focused on programming, operations, marketing and risk management, these sessions can help winter resorts become more knowledgeable and sophisticated about summer operations. Registration for Summer Ops Camp is open, and the limited space is filling up fast. Register here.

The new sessions include:

Creating Unique Adventures

A key aspect of summer ops 2.0 is developing a unique and on-brand suite of activities that stand apart from the competition. Three case studies represent examples: jaw-dropping via ferratas at Jackson Hole and Mammoth; creative kids activities, such as Treetop Quest’s Spiderquest, Hobbit Village, KiddieQuest and Chick Pea Course; and the Woodward Copper Wrecktangle, Powdr’s clever adaptation of the ninja theme. Join experts from each of these operations to learn why they chose these activities and how they are performing.

Marketing: It Takes a Village (when you are not the only game in town!)

In winter, mountain resorts are the primary draw for visitors, and resorts have a keen understanding of these guests. In summer, though, mountain resorts compete with other established attractions and activities. Plus, the customer profile is more varied, and reaching and enticing guests is far more challenging. How to convince visitors to choose a trip to the mountain? Aspen Snowmass partners with local tourism organizations to extend its reach and drive growth for the whole community. Panelists Christian Knapp, CMO, Aspen Snowmass; Rose Abello, executive director, Snowmass Tourism; and Kirsti Kavanaugh, VP global sales, Aspen Snowmass describe what makes marketing partnerships successful.

Oh, What I Wish I Had Known Then

There are myriad details involved in adding almost any summer activity to your operations—many of them unimagined at the outset. Our panel of veteran summer operators outline the often overlooked aspects of summer operations—building staff culture, designing operating procedures, conducting inspections, guide training, keeping up with standards and technology, risk management, customer education—and how to manage it all.

Camps and Programming for Kids

With families, it’s all about the kids, and little kids in particular. How do you entertain and captivate this crowd in summer? We will explore the ROI of kids camps and how to integrate them into your summer activities, such as mountain biking and adventure parks. This session will take place in the state-of-the-art, award-winning Treehouse facility at Snowmass.

Summer Ops on National Forest Land

Join key stakeholders from the Forest Service as they lead a discussion with operators on how to implement your vision. They will offer advice on the process, from planning and permitting to implementation. And will also talk about the mountain resort planning team in Colorado that has been successful at making ski area projects a reality. Gather intel that will save you time and money.

On-hill workshops deliver fun and education

Many on-hill workshops will be offered covering downhill mountain biking, aerial adventure parks, trails, and more. These include: Successful female mountain bike programs, design and construction of flow trails, building a skills park, and rental shop success. Aerial adventure park workshops will cover ground school, customer education, rescue and assist, design, and construction. These are hands-on workshops where you learn through experiencing the activities.

Questions about Summer Ops Camp? Email Sarah Wojcik for answers: sarahw@saminfo.com

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