HEADLINE NEWS

27 March 2020

Lift Maintenance

NSAA Capitol Watch Update 3.27.20:

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

27 March 2020

Slopefillers Survey Results: State of Ski Resort Marketing

SAM Magazine—March 27, 2020—Gregg Blanchard of slopefillers.com surveyed resort marketers to gauge the state of marketing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. About 70 respondents shared where they were in terms of financial impact, season pass sales, marketing budget, and more. Plus, many shared their sentiments in written responses. At the time, two o...

26 March 2020

Ski Blandford Will Not Open Next Season

SAM Magazine—Blandford, Mass., March 26, 2020—Ski Blandford in western Massachusetts will not operate next season. The ski area was purchased in 2017 by the owners of nearby Butternut, and they made a variety of improvements to lifts and snowmaking. However, the area has continued to lose money, and coupled with the current economic uncertainti...

26 March 2020

Miscellaneous

New Owners Investing $10 Million at Timberline Mountain, W.Va.

SAM Magazine—Davis, W.Va., March 26, 2020—Timberline Mountain in West Virginia closed in the middle of the 2018-19 season, fell into bankruptcy soon after, and was purchased in December by the owners of Indiana’s Perfect North Slopes. Now, amid the COVID-19 turmoil, the new owners shared good news: plans to invest more than $10 million at Tim...

25 March 2020

NSAA Advocates for Industry Benefits in Corona Stimulus Package

24 March 2020

Lifts

How to Prioritize Decisions in This Crisis

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magazine, with a subscription or gift subscription for someone in need. Together, #WeGotThis.

SAM Magazine—Vail, Colo., March 24, 2020—These are stressful times, and there's not much time to plan ahead. So, on Saturday SAM talked to someone who thoroughly understands the business, and has time to think: Chris Jarnot, recently retired SVP of Vail Resorts and a veteran of more than 30 years in the industry (and 2007 SAMMY Hall of Famer). We asked about strategies and tactics for the coming days, weeks, and months, and what past crises might teach us.

23 March 2020

Insurance and Risk Management Considerations During COVID-19 Shutdowns

By Tim Barnhorst, CPCU, ARM,MountainGuard If your resort is closed for the season, focus on discontinuing operations as you would during the end of a normal season. Some specific actions to consider: Unplug computer equipment and point of sale systems in on-mountain lodges and buildings that will not get used during the off-season to avoid dam...

22 March 2020

Area Management

Looking Ahead: Staffing Needs and Policy Changes

20 March 2020

Former Hermitage Club Sold at Auction

SAM Magazine—Wilmington, Vt., March 20, 2020—The former Hermitage Club in southern Vermont was sold at auction today to a group of former members for $8,060,000. The sale includes the ski area on Haystack Mountain, a golf course, several local inns, and more. The Vermont Department of Taxes shut down the Hermitage Club in 2018 for missing more...