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SAM Taps Whistler Blackcomb to Host 2025 Summer Ops Camp
SAM Magazine—Whistler, British Columbia, March 18, 2025—SAM’s Summer Ops Camp will be held at Whistler Blackcomb, Sept. 2-4, 2025, offering three days of education, networking, and hands-on learning focused on the future of summer operations at mountain resorts. This year’s camp will also feature a partnership with the Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA), bringing together a dynamic mix of resort professionals from across North America. Whistler Blackcomb has been at the forefront of year-round recreation development, balancing business innovation with environmental sustainability. With a robust lineup of summer attractions—including the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Peak...
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SAM Magazine—Tannersville, Pa., Nov. 10, 2017—Brian Czarnecki has been promoted to the role of chief operating officer for Camelback Resort, Pa. Previously, he served as the resort’s vice president of sales and marketing.
SAM Magazine—Dover, Vt., Nov. 10, 2017—By Sunday morning, the number of ski areas open for skiing and riding in North America will just about triple, according to snocountry.com, thanks in large part to consistent cold weather and powerful snowmaking systems.
SAM Magazine—Dover, Vt., Nov. 3, 2017—After Arapahoe Basin in Colorado opened for the season on Oct. 13, neighboring Loveland Ski Area kicked things off a week later on Oct. 20, and now more ski areas are spinning lifts—at least for this weekend—as cold weather and natural snow are becoming the norm in many regions across North America.
SAM Magazine—San Francisco, Calif., Nov. 1, 2017—The California Ski Industry Association (Ski California) today introduced its “Mountain Safety Guide,” a compendium resource for guests to help them make good decisions on the mountain and enjoy a safe experience. The printed version is a trail map-size guide that will be available at many of the association’s member resorts. It is also available online in digital format.
SAM Magazine—Montpelier, Vt., Oct. 30, 2017—Vermont Ski Areas Association (VSAA) president Parker Riehle is stepping down after 19 years at the organization to open his own lobbying and public relations firm. His last day is Nov. 10. The VSAA board of directors has already begun the search for his successor to lead the association and the $1.6 billion ski and snowboard industry in Vermont.
SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Oct. 30, 2017—A new E-Learning Course for New Instructors is now available online from the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI). The organization developed the e-learning course to help snowsports schools onboard their new instructors as well as complement the schools’ existing on-snow training. The free course covers three key aspects of working as an instructor: what to expect, basic teaching principals, and safety considerations. PSIA-AASI members and non-members can access the course once registered on the organization's website.
SAM Magazine—West Dover, Vt., Oct. 25, 2017—Terrain park builders have until Nov. 1 to register for the few remaining spots still available for Cutter’s Camp Fall Refresher at Mount Snow, Vt., Nov. 6-8. This is the first time the event has taken place just before winter begins, and aims to provide campers with actionable lessons and best practices that can be applied to their park programs right away.
SAM Magazine—Denver, Oct. 20, 2017—Overall occupancy at western mountain destinations for the six summer months, April through October, was boosted by bookings made in September for arrivals in September and October. With the last-minute uptick, as of Sept. 30, aggregated summer occupancy edged up 0.1 percent, while revenues are up a robust 7.2 percent compared to the same time last year. For the month of September alone, occupancy was up 1.4 percent, with a 7.3 percent increase in revenue. Inntopia released the results in its monthly DestiMetrics Market Briefing, which tracks 20 destinations across several states.
SAM Magazine—Flagstaff, Ariz., Oct. 17, 2017—Arizona Snowbowl, part of the Mountain Capital Partners group of resorts, plans to purchase the 37-acre Elk Ridge Ski Area near Williams, Ariz. Pending a special use permit approval by Kaibab National Forest officials, the plan is to open Elk Ridge as soon as possible under the current operating plan. Improvements are being proposed.
SAM Magazine—Mount Snow, Vt., Oct. 11, 2017—With current general manager Kelly Pawlak leaving to assume the role of president and CEO of the National Ski Areas Association, Mount Snow wasted no time naming Erik Barnes as her successor. Barnes has been with the resort for more than three decades, most recently serving as director of resort services. His first day as GM will be Nov. 4.
SAM Magazine—Timberline Lodge, Ore., Oct. 11, 2017—Since September, winter storms have been dropping a fair amount of snow on the high country out West, stoking the excitement of skiers and riders. Adding to the excitement, Timberline Lodge and Ski Area on Mt. Hood, Ore., laid claim to being the first ski area to open when it spun the Palmer Chairlift on Sunday, Oct. 8. Weather permitting, the lift will be open Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Oct. 9, 2017—The board of directors of the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) has named Kelly Pawlak as NSAA’s new president and CEO. Pawlak, who is vice president and general manager at Mount Snow Resort, Vt., will assume the position Jan. 1, 2018.
SAM Magazine—Wrightwood, Calif., Oct. 6, 2017— Ski Resort Holdings LLC, an affiliate of Oz Real Estate, has sold Mountain High Resort to Mountain High Reunited (MHR), an investment group that includes current president and CEO Karl Kapuscinski, the resort’s senior management team, and MHR Investors. Terms of the sale were not released. The current management team will remain in place and continue to operate the resort.
SAM Magazine—Wildwood, Mo., Oct. 5, 2017—Christopher Bub has transitioned into the role of chief financial officer for Peak Resorts after serving as the company’s vice president and chief accounting officer since 2016. Bub succeeds Stephen Mueller, who is stepping down as CFO, a position he’s held since joining Peak Resorts in 2001.
SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., Oct. 3, 2017—Vail Resorts (VR) reported fiscal 2017 full-year results last week, including EBITDA of $593 million. That represents growth of 31 percent compared to 2016, due in large part to inclusion of results from Whistler Blackcomb and Stowe in 2017.
