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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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SAM Magazine—Scottsdale, Ariz., May 9, 2017—At last weekend’s National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) annual convention in Scottsdale, the organization presented 2017 Lifetime Achievement Awards to NSAA president Michael Berry and The Fairbank Group’s founder and chairman, Brian Fairbank.
SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., May 10, 2017—U.S. ski areas tallied an estimated 54.7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2016-17 season, up 3.7 percent from last season’s 52.8 million total, according to preliminary results of the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Kottke Report.
SAM Magazine—Scottsdale, Ariz., May 9, 2017—Berkshire East, Mass., Taos Ski Valley, N.M., and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Calif., won the 2017 Golden Eagle Awards for Environmental Excellence, presented by SKI Magazine. In addition, SKI named Onno Wieringa of Alta Ski Area, Utah, the “Hero of Sustainability” for 2017. This marks the 25th year for the Golden Eagle awards, which recognize resorts that actively address environmental issues.
SAM Magazine—Thompsonville, Mich., May 4, 2017—Chris MacInnes has become president of Crystal Enterprises Inc., which operates Crystal Mountain, Mich. John Melcher succeeds MacInnes as COO.
SAM Magazine—Stowe, Vt., May 2, 2017—Vail Resorts, Inc. is appointing Bobby Murphy as vice president and general manager of Stowe Mountain Resort, effective at the close of VR’s acquisition of Stowe, which is expected in June. He will replace Barry Pius.
SAM Magazine—Lake Louise, Alberta, May 2, 2017—Three individuals were recognized for their contributions to the ski industry at last week’s Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) annual Awards Gala. Don Murray, senior VP, Ecosign, received the 2017 Jimmie Spencer Lifetime Achievement Award; Stuart McLaughlin, president, Grouse Mountain, received the 2017 Jim Marshall Leadership Award; and Ryan Stimming, risk manager, Panorama, received the Lars Fossberg Excellence Award.
SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., May 2, 2017—The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) has chosen four member ski areas to receive its annual Sustainable Slopes Grants: Arapahoe Basin, Colo., Copper Mountain Resort, Colo., Granite Peak, Wis., and Mt. Bachelor, Ore.
SAM Magazine—Dover, Vt., April 28, 2017—Across much of the country, the grass is growing, flowers are blooming, and spring sports are in full swing. But dozens of mountain resorts are still open for skiing and riding—some with plans to remain open for months to come, thanks to deep snowpack and a winter that just won’t quit.
SAM Magazine—Jamesville, N.Y., April 28, 2017—The Ski Areas of New York Lift Training and Maintenance Program is being offered this summer at several locations around the state. The program will provide training and networking to lift maintenance staff in more than 10 critical areas of lift maintenance. SANY membership is not required in order to attend any of the classes; all New York state ski area lift personnel are invited. There is no cost to participate, and lunch will be provided at each location.
Welcome to the April edition of Snow People, where we highlight happenings to prominent ski industry and supplier personnel.
SAM Magazine—Denver, April 24, 2017—The 2016-17 season started slowly for Western destinations, strengthened mid-season, and then lost momentum in the final weeks, according to Denver-based DestiMetrics. The season will likely record some year-over-year declines by the end of April. As of March 31, aggregated occupancy reservations from November through April were down 0.3 percent. Overall revenue, though, rose 6.8 percent compared to the same time last year. Four of the six winter months showed increases; November and April were down.
SAM Magazine—Crystal Mountain, Wash., April 19, 2017—On March 31, John Kircher acquired Crystal Mountain Ski Resort in a transaction between Kircher and Boyne Resorts, Inc. Under terms of the deal, Kircher, a longtime partner in Boyne Resorts, has swapped his share of ownership for Crystal, leaving brother Steve Kircher in control of Boyne Resorts. The sale values Crystal at $40 million and occurred 20 years to the day after Boyne purchased Crystal Mountain in 1997.
SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., April 19, 2017—Vail Resorts has named Inntopia, the e-commerce and central reservation platform for destination travel, as a key partner to offer real-time booking, lodging options, and dynamic pricing across VR’s brand websites. The Inntopia platform will be integrated throughout Vail Resorts’ North American destinations, beginning with the use of Inntopia’s inventory distribution network this summer.
Woodbury, Conn., April 18, 2017—Amy Ohran, Ethan Mueller, and Christopher Nicolson have earned 2017 SAMMY Leadership Awards from SAM Magazine. The trio, nominated by their peers, has demonstrated the leadership skills needed to help steer the snowsports industry into the future. They will receive their awards during a ceremony at the NSAA National Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz., May 6.
SAM Magazine—Aspen and Denver, Colo., April 12, 2017—Resort ownership consolidation was already moving at an unprecedented clip, and it just keeps speeding up. The same entity formed by Aspen Skiing Co. and KSL Capital Partners that announced its $1.5 billion acquisition of Intrawest two days ago, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mammoth Resorts—owner of Mammoth Mountain, Snow Summit, Bear Mountain, and June Mountain in California.
