SAM Magazine—July 26, 2012—The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued two citations against Hunter Mountain, N.Y., following the January 18 death of a snowmaking employee who slipped on ice and slid 200 feet hitting a tree and a rock. The safety violations (each carry a fine of $4,250) claim that 1) Hunter did not...

SAM Magazine—Beaver, Utah, July 25, 2012—Eagle Point resort is so intent on expanding its market that it’s offering free, unlimited skiing to California residents next winter. And for everyone else, skiing and riding are free on Thursdays in January. To receive free lift privileges, visitors must simply provide a name and email...

SAM Magazine—Richmond, Utah, July 25, 2012—The proposed Cherry Peak ski area has been stalled by a group of local opponents here, who are appealing a county conditional use permit in Utah’s 1st District Court. The local planning commission approved the permit last February, and the board of adjustments upheld that decision. Opp...

SAM Magazine--July 19, 2012-- Vail Resorts, Inc. has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Forest Service for a comprehensive summer activities plan at Vail Mountain. Vail’s summer activity effort, named Epic Discovery, a Summer Mountain Adventure, will encourage “learn through play” by featuring environmental educational elements i...

SAM Magazine—Boulder, Colo., July 17, 2012—In a sign that sports consumers are investing in their favorite activities (when the weather cooperates), May retail sales at outdoor retailers and sporting goods chains were up from year-ago totals, according to the Leisure Trends Group. Outdoor and sporting goods sales got a solid boost fr...

SAM Magazine—July 17, 2012—Yesterday, U.S. Senator Charles Shumer of New York visited Greek Peak Resort to urge the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corp) to push through a loan review for the beleaguered resort after its primary lender, Tennessee Commerce Bank, was closed by state regulators in late January of this year. "Due to...

SAM Magazine—Denver, July 16, 2012—Momentum for vacations at mountain destinations throughout the western U.S. showed increasing strength in both occupancy and daily rate in June, according to the latest data released by the Mountain Travel Research Program (MTRiP). The average occupancy for the month was up 17 percent compared to the s...

SAM Magazine—Wrightwood, Calif., July 16, 2012—Mountain High Resort, Calif., and Stevens Pass Mountain Resort, Wash., have a new management structure for the two companies. There are several changes at each resort, and a new set of managers overseeing both. At the corporate level, Michele Roy has assumed the role of chief financial o...

SAM Magazine—Hood River, Ore., July 12, 2012—The Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association (PNSAA) board of directors have selected John Gifford as its new president. Gifford, until recently the GM of Stevens Pass, will assume his duties on Aug. 15. Gifford will be PNSAA’s fourth president. He succeeds Scott Kaden, who resigned a...

SAM Magazine—Park City, Utah, July 11, 2012—While a long-term lease agreement for Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) remains elusive, PCMR leaseholder and Canyons owner Talisker said last week that it had assured PCMR that the resort will be able to open for the 2012-13 season. In fact, Talisker said it assured PCMR of this back in April....

SAM Magazine--July 5, 2012--John J. Frado, Jr., 67, died at home on June 20 in his wife's arms (Cross Country Ski Areas Association President Chris Frado) as a result of complications from a traumatic brain injury incurred in December while building a barn. John was a visionary who enjoyed planning and creating, whether it was a multi-millio...

SAM Magazine—Mammoth Lakes, Calif., July 3, 2012—The town council here voted Monday to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection against a $43 million judgment in state court. The judgment stems from a property development fight involving the local airport and Mammoth Lakes Land Acquisition (MMLA). The judgment is more than twice the ...

SAM Magazine—Jay, Vt., July 3, 2012—Sister resorts Jay Peak and Burke Mountain are introducing combination season passes valid at both areas. Two-mountain access will be available across many of the resorts’ season pass and ticket categories, along with a number of shared special benefits. The new passes go on sale July 9. &ldq...

SAM Magazine—July 3, 2012—The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) decided today that it would not put forth a bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, but to instead concentrate on a 2024 summer bid and a 2026 winter bid. Both Denver, Colo., and Lake Tahoe, Calif., had formed task forces to put their names in the hat as possible U.S. ve...

SAM Magazine—McLean, Va., July 2, 2012—Both Snowsports Industries America (SIA) and the National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association (NSSRA) have declared their support for Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM) and challenged their members to get involved, financially and personally. “After coming off one of the toughes...