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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—Dover, Vt., April 28, 2017—Across much of the country, the grass is growing, flowers are blooming, and spring sports are in full swing. But dozens of mountain resorts are still open for skiing and riding—some with plans to remain open for months to come, thanks to deep snowpack and a winter that just won’t quit.
SAM Magazine—Jamesville, N.Y., April 28, 2017—The Ski Areas of New York Lift Training and Maintenance Program is being offered this summer at several locations around the state. The program will provide training and networking to lift maintenance staff in more than 10 critical areas of lift maintenance. SANY membership is not required in order to attend any of the classes; all New York state ski area lift personnel are invited. There is no cost to participate, and lunch will be provided at each location.
Welcome to the April edition of Snow People, where we highlight happenings to prominent ski industry and supplier personnel.
SAM Magazine—Denver, April 24, 2017—The 2016-17 season started slowly for Western destinations, strengthened mid-season, and then lost momentum in the final weeks, according to Denver-based DestiMetrics. The season will likely record some year-over-year declines by the end of April. As of March 31, aggregated occupancy reservations from November through April were down 0.3 percent. Overall revenue, though, rose 6.8 percent compared to the same time last year. Four of the six winter months showed increases; November and April were down.
SAM Magazine—Crystal Mountain, Wash., April 19, 2017—On March 31, John Kircher acquired Crystal Mountain Ski Resort in a transaction between Kircher and Boyne Resorts, Inc. Under terms of the deal, Kircher, a longtime partner in Boyne Resorts, has swapped his share of ownership for Crystal, leaving brother Steve Kircher in control of Boyne Resorts. The sale values Crystal at $40 million and occurred 20 years to the day after Boyne purchased Crystal Mountain in 1997.
SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., April 19, 2017—Vail Resorts has named Inntopia, the e-commerce and central reservation platform for destination travel, as a key partner to offer real-time booking, lodging options, and dynamic pricing across VR’s brand websites. The Inntopia platform will be integrated throughout Vail Resorts’ North American destinations, beginning with the use of Inntopia’s inventory distribution network this summer.
Woodbury, Conn., April 18, 2017—Amy Ohran, Ethan Mueller, and Christopher Nicolson have earned 2017 SAMMY Leadership Awards from SAM Magazine. The trio, nominated by their peers, has demonstrated the leadership skills needed to help steer the snowsports industry into the future. They will receive their awards during a ceremony at the NSAA National Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz., May 6.
SAM Magazine—Aspen and Denver, Colo., April 12, 2017—Resort ownership consolidation was already moving at an unprecedented clip, and it just keeps speeding up. The same entity formed by Aspen Skiing Co. and KSL Capital Partners that announced its $1.5 billion acquisition of Intrawest two days ago, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mammoth Resorts—owner of Mammoth Mountain, Snow Summit, Bear Mountain, and June Mountain in California.
SAM Magazine—Denver, April 10, 2017—Aspen Skiing Company and KSL Capital Partners have formed a new entity and entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Intrawest in a deal valued at $1.5 billion.
SAM Magazine—Kansas City, Mo., April 6, 2017—Och-Ziff Real Estate, EPR Properties, and CNL have completed the sale of CNL’s ski area and attractions portfolios. The deal leaves Ski Resort Holdings LLC, owned by funds affiliated with OZRE, with 14 former CNL ski resort properties. EPR, the REIT that has funded Peak Resorts, adds Northstar California resort to its portfolio, along with 15 of CNL’s water and amusement parks, and five smaller family entertainment centers.
SAM Magazine—Killington, Vt., April 4, 2017—[UPDATED] Killington has entered into a two-year agreement with USSA to get a FIS World Cup event back to the resort over Thanksgiving weekend in 2017 and 2018. The spot on the race schedule has not been firmed up by FIS yet, but the resort hopes FIS will confirm it as a stop on the calendar at the federation's meeting in May. This comes after a tremendously successful initial foray in 2016, when the event drew an estimated 30,000 spectators.
Welcome to the March edition of Snow People, where we highlight happenings to prominent ski industry and supplier personnel.
SAM Magazine—Auburn, Maine, March 30, 2017—Kässbohrer ATV, Inc., the North American Division of German parent company Kässbohrer AG and distributor of PistenBully snow grooming equipment, has chosen Lost Valley ski area in Auburn, Maine, as the site of the company’s future regional headquarters, which will include construction of a new facility.
SAM Magazine—Granby, Quebec, March 28, 2017—Industry veteran Charles Blier has been named Prinoth’s vice president of sales, snow grooming North America. He will start in this new role April 3.
SAM Magazine—Copper Mountain, Colo., March 28, 2017—Several improvements for both winter and summer are on the docket at Copper Mountain in Colorado. The resort plans to install a new high-speed quad chairlift and RFID gates at the lifts in time for the 2017-18 winter season. New warm-season activities include an alpine coaster, obstacle course, and a mountain biking trail.
