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  • SAM Taps Whistler Blackcomb to Host 2025 Summer Ops Camp

    SAM Magazine—Whistler, British Columbia, March 18, 2025—SAM’s Summer Ops Camp will be held at Whistler Blackcomb, Sept. 2-4, 2025, offering three days of education, networking, and hands-on learning focused on the future of summer operations at mountain resorts. This year’s camp will also feature a partnership with the Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA), bringing together a dynamic mix of resort professionals from across North America.   Whistler Blackcomb has been at the forefront of year-round recreation development, balancing business innovation with environmental sustainability. With a robust lineup of summer attractions—including the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Peak...

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Alterra Names Rusty Gregory as Chief Executive Officer

SAM Magazine—Denver, Feb. 7, 2018—Longtime Mammoth Resorts leader Rusty Gregory has been named Alterra Mountain Company’s chief executive officer. HN rustygregory 2718Gregory has been a member of Alterra’s board of directors since the company’s inception in August 2017. His 40-year ski industry career began as a lift operator at Mammoth Mountain, Calif., where he rose through the ranks to become an owner and the company’s chairman and CEO for more than 20 years.

Business Mogul and Ski Area Owner Ian Cumming Dead at 77

SAM Magazine—Jackson, Wyo., Feb. 4, 2018—Snowbird majority owner and former Powdr Corp. owner Ian Cumming died Friday at his home in Jackson, Wyo. He was 77.HN iancumming 2518

Mountain Capital Partners Names Elizabeth Howe Director of Operations

SAM Magazine—Durango, Colo., Feb. 2, 2018—Mountain Capital Partners has named industry veteran Elizabeth Howe its new director of operations for its collection ofHN Elizabeth Howe 2218 mountain resorts, including Purgatory Resort and Hesperus Ski Area, Colo.; Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort and Pajarito Mountain, N.M.; and Arizona Snowbowl.

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Hopes to Use 100 Percent Renewable Energy by December 2018

SAM Magazine—Olympic Valley, Calif., Feb. 2, 2018—Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is working with regional electricity provider Liberty Utilities to identify and develop HN squalpinesolar 2218new renewable energy generation, storage and energy efficiency projects, primarily solar, that will provide clean energy to the region. Subject to regulatory approval, the two companies intend to achieve the resort’s 100 percent renewable energy goal as early as December 2018.

Former Jay Peak Owner Ariel Quiros Reaches $81 Million Settlement with SEC

SAM Magazine—Miami, Fla., Feb. 2, 2018—Jay Peak’s former owner who allegedly misused millions of dollars in EB-5 foreign investor funds has agreed to pay back $81 million as part of a settlement with the government. The SEC charged Quiros in 2016 with orchestrating a “ponzi-like” scheme.

Cutter's Camp Registration Opens for Spring Session

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Feb. 1, 2018—Registration is now open for 16th annual spring session of Cutter's Camp, May 14-18, 2018, at Timberline, Mt. Hood, Ore. The weeklong spring program for terrain park professionals features on-hill and classroom workshops, including the return of one-on-one customized operator coaching, Park Challenge workshops​,​ and terrain park operations check list.

NSAA Climate Challenge Registration Opened Today

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Jan. 31, 2018—Resorts can now enroll to participate in the 2018 NSAA Climate Challenge. The Climate Challenge is a voluntary HN Climatechallenge 13118program dedicated to helping participating ski areas track, report, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as reduce energy costs. The deadline for enrollment is May 18.

Telluride Ski Resort Joins the Epic Pass

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., Jan. 29, 2018—Vail Resorts has entered into a “long-term alliance” with Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado, adding the resort to the HN telluride epicpass 12918Epic Pass starting in 2018-19. The Epic Pass now offers access and benefits to a total of 46 mountain resorts worldwide. 

Legendary Snowsports Filmmaker Warren Miller Dies at 93

SAM Magazine—Orcas Island, Wash., Jan. 25, 2018—The man who brought ski movies to the mainstream, Warren Miller, died Wednesday at the age of 93.HN warrenmillerdead 12518

Alterra Mountain Company Teases New Ikon Pass

SAM Magazine—Denver, Jan. 25, 2018—Alterra Mountain Company, the recently-named joint venture that curated a dozen North American mountain resorts last year, unveiled the name of its highly anticipated season pass product HN ikonpass 12518and the mountains it will provide access to. The Ikon Pass will go on sale this spring, and passholders will get unlimited access to, and/or a set number of days at 23 different mountain resorts—Alterra’s 12 properties, and 11 partner mountains. The company said details on access, pass benefits, and pricing will be released in the coming weeks.

Get Ready for Rental World + Backshop and Uniform Gallery at Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show

SAM Magazine—Denver, Jan. 24, 2018—The much-anticipated Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show kicks off tomorrow at the Denver Convention Center, with roughly 1,000 outdoor brands ready to engage about 11,000 retail buyers overHN OR SIA 12418 the four-day event, Jan. 25-28. SAM will be there, once again co-presenting the Rental World + Backshop and Uniform Gallery, which showcases these all-important product categories. The exhibits provide a one-stop overview of the categories, and provide a quick way for buyers to survey their options.

Mary Kate Buckley Is Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s New President

SAM Magazine—Teton Village, Wyo., Jan. 18, 2018—Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) has named Mary Kate Buckley to succeed Jerry Blann, effective June 1, HN Mary Kate Buckley 11818 copy2018. Blann has served as president since 1995. JHMR, independently owned by the Kemmerer Family, conducted a search to fill the role, and is pleased to bring Mary Kate with her strong ties to Jackson Hole and her extensive business experience.

NSAA Names Michael Lane as New Director of Technical Services

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Jan. 12, 2018—The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) has named Michael Lane as its new director of technical services, a nsaa logoposition primarily focused on lift safety, education, operations, and maintenance. Lane is currently the national ropeway engineer for the USDA Forest Service. He will assume his role at NSAA in February 2018.

Winter Park Wins Dispute Over Service Dogs on Lifts

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Jan. 12, 2018—In an important legal ruling, the Colorado Civil Rights Division sided in favor of Winter Park Resort over a recent HN winterpark 11318disability discrimination claim against the resort regarding its restriction on service animals riding chairlifts. It’s the first legal challenge ever against a ski area over service animal restrictions on chairlifts.

Colorado Resorts See Drop in Early-Season Visits

SAM Magazine—Denver, January 13, 2018 –Skier visits at the 23 member resorts of Colorado Ski Country USA were down 13 percent compared to last year’s mediocre first period visit numbers, for the season through Dec. 31, 2017.