SAM Magazine--August 20, 2008--Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Pa., has entered into an agreement with the Somerset Trust Company that, when finalized, will revive the currently dormant Laurel Mountain Ski Resort located on the Westmoreland and Somerset County border. The Seven Springs management team will work closely with the Pennsylvania D...

SAM Magazine-Denver, Aug. 15, 2008-The 2008-09 Colorado Gems Card, available in limited quantities for $10, provides access to special deals, discounts, programs and promotions at the nine Gem resorts. The benefits include one day of free skiing at three areas (restrictions apply), two-for-one lift tickets at four areas, and discounted tickets at s...

SAM Magazine-Ludlow, Vt., Aug. 15, 2008-Okemo has added approximately eight acres of expert terrain, bringing the resort's total to 632 acres. The new terrain consists of two runs, White Lightning and Rolling Thunder, the final two trails of the original Jackson Gore layout. White Lightning measures about 1,000 feet long and Rolling Thunder is abou...

SAM Magazine-Park City, Aug. 15, 2008-Rossignol is recalling approximately 3,500 pairs of the company's HC Snowboard bindings due to the potential for failure of the t-nuts that attach the straps to the binding. According to the company, the t-nuts can detach, creating a fall hazard for users. The recall involves 2007 model year Rossignol snowbo...

SAM Magazine-Frisco, Colo., Aug. 11, 2008-Copper will host the first U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix halfpipe series stop this Dec. 12-13, followed by Boreal and Killington. NBC and Versus will be broadcasting each leg of the tour, which will serve as a tune up for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Both Copper and Boreal are hosting tour stops for the f...

SAM Magazine-Flagstaff, Ariz., Aug. 9, 2008-Arizona Snowbowl's previous approvals for snowmaking are valid, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Friday. In a statement, the resort said that "the Snowbowl community is very pleased that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decided to rehear the case and affirm the original District Court opin...

SAM Magazine-Red Lodge, Mont., Aug. 7, 2008-Operations are winding down on the Cascade Wildfire, which at one time threatened Red Lodge Ski Area. The fire has burned more than10,000 acres but is now 85 percent contained. Currently, crews staffing the fire are mopping up and securing fire lines. Dozer lines along the controlled perimeter are being r...

SAM Magazine-Vancouver, B.C., Aug. 7, 2008-The competition schedules for the 2010 Paralympic and Winter Olympic ski and snowboard events is coming into focus. Both schedules are available online at www.vancouver2010.com, giving spectators two months to review the event plan before tickets go on sale on Oct. 3. Notable alpine skiing schedule high...

SAM Magazine-Golden, B.C., Aug. 7, 2008-British Columbia ski area Kicking Horse has presented its new draft master plan. It proposes adding a signature 18-hole golf course, a densification of the resort base, and major improvements to the ski area. These include several new lifts, from detachable quads to conveyor lifts for the ski school beginner ...

SAM Magazine-Washington, D.C., Aug. 7, 2008-As most resorts know, the H-2B visa cap has been reached. The "final receipt date" for H-2B visa applications was July 29. However, there's still a chance that Congress, when it reconvenes in September, will pass an exemption for returning H-2B workers, as existed in recent years. Resorts with application...

SAM Magazine - Red Lodge, Mt., August 5, 2008 - With the Cascade wildfire 66-percent contained, crews are starting mop up operations at Red Lodge. The Cascade wildfire continued to burn overnight toward natural barriers to the west and south, but crews were pulled off the blaze at midnight on Sunday. Helicopters have also flown out 11,200 pounds of...

SAM Magazine-Lakewood, Colo., Aug. 5, 2008-The U.S. ski industry totaled a record 60.5 million visits in 2007-08, up 2.7 percent from previous record of 58.9 million visits set in 2005-06, according to the final Kottke End of Season Survey. Improved winter weather conditions and abundant snowfall in all regions except the Southeast contributed to t...

SAM Magazine-Red Lodge, Mont., Aug. 3, 2008-The Cascade Wildfire that has been threatening Red Lodge Ski Area is currently 33 percent contained, with crews solidifying fire lines around the resort and making progress in battling the blaze. The fire has burned more than 10,000 acres and is still active, with moderate rates of spread and mid-range...

SAM Magazine-Red Lodge, Mont., Aug. 2, 2008-Crews are making progress on the Cascade Wildfire, which has been threatening Red Lodge Ski Area. Currently the fire has burned 9,701 acres and is 31 percent contained. It appears that Red Lodge Ski Area will escape serious damage from the wildfire, but the situation on the ground remains fluid. Fire c...

SAM Magazine - Squaw Valley, Ca., July 31, 2008 - Squaw Valley has come to a lease agreement with local resident Troy Caldwell to lease land owned by Caldwell at the top of the ski area's KT-22 lift. The 57-year lease will preserve access for Squaw skiers and potentially marks the end of a stewing disagreement with Caldwell, who owns 460 acres adja...