SAM Magazine—Denver, March 16, 2016—Colorado Ski Country USA’s 21 member resorts reported an uptick in skier visits of 3.8 percent during the second period of the season, defined as Jan. 1–Feb. 29, compared to the same period last season. From opening day through Feb. 29, member resorts are up a total of 6.2 percent in skier visits compared to last season.

SAM Magazine—Frisco, Colo., March 16, 2016—Copper Mountain just moved up the list for families with kids ages 6 to 12 after the resort unveiled its new Kids Ski Free season pass offer. With the purchase of an adult season pass ($399 for ages 18+, no blackout dates) kids 6 to 12 get a free season pass. The offer ends after June 1.

SAM Magazine—Laguna Hills, Calif. March 14, 2016— The 41st annual Mountain Travel Symposium (MTS) April 3–9 in Keystone, Colorado, will welcome it largest audience ever, as registered attendance has topped 1,000. That number includes an international contingent from 38 countries, providing an indication of how important group business is for destination resorts—and group travel buyers.

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., March 10, 2016—After more than 75 years in operation, Wilmot Mountain, Wis., is about to get a $13 million overhaul courtesy of new owner Vail Resorts. The plan covers upgrades to on-mountain infrastructure, base area facilities, and a learning terrain expansion.

SAM Magazine—Santa Fe, N.M., March 9, 2016—New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez signed Bill 193 yesterday, which will allow consumption of alcoholic beverages in controlled access areas on the grounds of ski areas. The bill takes effect July 1. Currently, ski areas can have liquor licenses that allow alcohol to be served only in lodges or other buildings.

SAM Magazine—Sutton, Que., March 9, 2016—The sale and purchase of Mont Sutton Ski Area is now complete. Today, the Superior court has confirmed the acquisition of Ski Sutton Inc. by Jean-Michel Ryan, Pierre Chesnay and Sylvain Gervais for C$7.5 million. This amount includes the purchase of all Ski Sutton Inc. shares, the debt and other entities related to the Boulanger family.

SAM Magazine—Minneapolis, Minn., March 8, 2016—Amy Reents will take over as president/executive director of the Midwest Ski Areas Association effective May 1.

SAM Magazine—Sutton, Que., March 8, 2016—During a Ski Sutton Inc. shareholders meeting this morning, 97 percent of those in attendance voted to approve an offer by a group of local investors to purchase the company, which includes Mont Sutton Ski Area. The investor group is led by current Mont Sutton GM Jean-Michel Ryan, and also includes Pierre Chesnay and Sylvain Gervais.

SAM Magazine—Wildwood, Mo., March 4, 2016—With seven properties from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire, including newly acquired Hunter Mountain in New York, Peak Resorts has consolidated its season pass products for what it refers to as its northeast region. The new Peak Pass family of products takes an approach akin to American Skiing Company’s All 4 One passes and Vail’s Epic Pass, providing access to multiple resorts for a low price relative to the rest of the market.

SAM Magazine—Sutton, Que., March 4, 2016—After what appeared to be the beginning of a bidding war for Quebec’s Mont Sutton (see earlier Breaking News story), the company’s board of directors announced it has rejected the offer by the Thirion-Beauregard group and will move forward with the approval process to finalize the initial offer agreed upon with the Ryan Group.

SAM Magazine—Yosemite, Calif., March 1, 2016—The federal government has decided to change the names of several iconic businesses in Yosemite National Park—including Badger Pass Ski Area—rather than risk those businesses getting shut down during a legal battle over trademark rights. The concessionaire that until today had a contract to operate hotels, trail rides, bus service, and more in Yosemite National Park is asking for $51.2 million as “fair value” for trademarked names it has owned since it took over the contract in 1993. The government says the assets are worth $3.5 million.

SAM Magazine—Winchester, N.H., March 1, 2016—After 30 years as executive director of the Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA), Chris Frado is retiring, effective Oct. 7, 2016. She will be succeeded by current SnowSports Industries America (SIA) nordic director Reese Brown, who is also an elected representative to the CCSAA board of directors.

SAM Magazine—Donner Summit, Calif., March 1, 2016—After going missing on Jan. 14 following an afternoon of skiing with his brother, the body of 23-year-old Sugar Bowl ski instructor Carson May was located Monday afternoon by search and rescue teams in an area about a quarter-mile beyond the resort’s boundaries.

SAM Magazine—Queenstown, New Zealand, March 1, 2016—Jet-setting Mountain Collective pass holders can now add New Zealand to the list of possible destinations next season, thanks to the addition of Coronet Peak and The Remarkables to the multi-destination pass starting in 2016-17. New Zealand is the fourth country to be included on the pass.

SAM Magazine—Davis, W.Va., Feb. 26, 2016—Following a chairlift failure at Timberline Resort (W.Va.), on Saturday, Feb. 20, caused by an entire cross arm sheave train assembly detaching from the top of a lift tower and falling to the ground, resorts nationwide have been inspecting other lifts of similar vintage and design and built by the same manufacturer.