• People
• Area Management

SAM Magazine—Denver, May 18, 2017—The board of directors of Snowsports Industries America (SIA) have unanimously approved the sale of the SIA Snow Show to Emerald Expositions, which runs the Outdoor Retailer (OR) Winter and Summer Markets, for $16.67 million. The sale must still be approved by SIA’s 100 or so premium members, who have until May 24 to vote on the proposal.

• Personnel Issues
• People
• leadership

SAM Magazine—Vernon, N.J., May 17, 2017—The owner of Mountain Creek, Mountain Creek Management LLC, is seeking Chapter 11 protection. The company hopes to restructure its debt while maintaining daily operations, including opening the Mountain Creek Waterpark next month.

SAM Magazine—Denver, May 12, 2017—An unusual combination of circumstances led to the fatal chairlift accident on the Quick Draw Express at Granby Ranch last December 29, according to the final report by Colorado state investigators, released Thursday afternoon.

• Marketing
• Media
• Public Relations / Publicity
• Advertising

SAM Magazine—Denver, May 11, 2017—The Denver Post resort business reporter Jason Blevins pored through Intrawest’s 273-page PREM 14C, a preliminary information statement relating to a merger or acquisition that the company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and found some pretty neat stuff regarding the deal—and the value of several other recent transactions as well.

• Finance
• NSAA
• Research

SAM Magazine—Juneau, Alaska, May 11, 2017—The community-owned Eaglecrest Ski Area here has appointed David Scanlan as its new general manager. Scanlan has been the GM of Mt. Abram, Maine since 2013. He is scheduled to start in his new position June 26.

• Finance
• Ticketing

SAM Magazine—Scottsdale, Ariz., May 9, 2017—At last weekend’s National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) annual convention in Scottsdale, the organization presented 2017 Lifetime Achievement Awards to NSAA president Michael Berry and The Fairbank Group’s founder and chairman, Brian Fairbank.

• Business
• Management
• Ski Area Profiles

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., May 10, 2017—U.S. ski areas tallied an estimated 54.7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2016-17 season, up 3.7 percent from last season’s 52.8 million total, according to preliminary results of the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Kottke Report.

• Finance
• Business
• Ticketing

SAM Magazine—Scottsdale, Ariz., May 9, 2017—Berkshire East, Mass., Taos Ski Valley, N.M., and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Calif., won the 2017 Golden Eagle Awards for Environmental Excellence, presented by SKI Magazine. In addition, SKI named Onno Wieringa of Alta Ski Area, Utah, the “Hero of Sustainability” for 2017. This marks the 25th year for the Golden Eagle awards, which recognize resorts that actively address environmental issues.

• Summer
• Activities

SAM Magazine—Thompsonville, Mich., May 4, 2017—Chris MacInnes has become president of Crystal Enterprises Inc., which operates Crystal Mountain, Mich. John Melcher succeeds MacInnes as COO.

• Opinion
• People
• Pub Memo

SAM Magazine—Stowe, Vt., May 2, 2017—Vail Resorts, Inc. is appointing Bobby Murphy as vice president and general manager of Stowe Mountain Resort, effective at the close of VR’s acquisition of Stowe, which is expected in June. He will replace Barry Pius.

• News
• Industry Reports
• People
• Obituary

SAM Magazine—Lake Louise, Alberta, May 2, 2017—Three individuals were recognized for their contributions to the ski industry at last week’s Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) annual Awards Gala. Don Murray, senior VP, Ecosign, received the 2017 Jimmie Spencer Lifetime Achievement Award; Stuart McLaughlin, president, Grouse Mountain, received the 2017 Jim Marshall Leadership Award; and Ryan Stimming, risk manager, Panorama, received the Lars Fossberg Excellence Award.

• Weather
• Business

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., May 2, 2017—The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) has chosen four member ski areas to receive its annual Sustainable Slopes Grants: Arapahoe Basin, Colo., Copper Mountain Resort, Colo., Granite Peak, Wis., and Mt. Bachelor, Ore.

• Risk Management
• Personnel Issues
• Safety

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.

• Customer Service
• Guest Services
• Mountain Spy

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.

• Risk Management
• Safety
• Events

Welcome to the April edition of Snow People, where we highlight happenings to prominent ski industry and supplier personnel.