SAM Magazine—Denver, Nov. 21, 3012—Occupancy at Western destination resorts was up 6.9 percent for the past spring and summer compared to year-earlier totals, and the daily rate rose 3.9 percent. But momentum has reversed for the upcoming winter, according to the Mountain Travel Research Program (MTRiP). As of Oct. 31, reservations for ...

SAM Magazine—Vail, Colo., Nov. 16, 2012—Snowfall and snowmaking temperatures have spread across the country in the past week, enabling several more areas to open for the season. Last Sunday, Nov. 11, Mountain High, Calif., joined the growing ranks. On Tuesday, Nov. 13, Brighton, Utah, followed, with several areas opening on Nov. 14: ...

SAM Magazine—McHenry, Md., Nov. 12, 2012—EPR Properties, the Kansas City-based REIT that owns most of the resorts managed and operated by Peak Resorts (and formerly known as Entertainment Properties Trust), has bid $20.5 million for Wisp Resort, kicking off what could become a competition to win the resort at a bankruptcy court hearing ...

SAM Magazine—Washington, D.C., Nov. 9, 2012—Tahoe-based PSIA-AASI instructors Heidi Ettlinger (Heavenly Resort) and Allison Ace (Northstar) have been named ambassadors for the Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM) Bring a Friend initiatives, joining fellow Tahoe skiers Glen Plake and Daron Rahlves. All four will help spread the messag...

SAM Magazine—June Lake, Calif., Nov. 9, 2012—June Mountain Ski Area will be closed this winter, but will re-open for the 2013-14 winter season, Mammoth Mountain CEO Rusty Gregory said earlier this week. June, which is owned by Mammoth Mountain, was closed last spring after several seasons of operating in the red. Gregory said that Ma...

SAM Magazine—Breckenridge, Colo., Nov. 8, 2012—Resorts across North America have opened or are opening this week, from Mont Saint-Sauveur, Quebec to Breckenridge, Colo. Some are launching daily operations, while others will shut down midweek. Among the recent and imminent openings: Sunday River opened Nov. 6, and is offering top-to b...

SAM Magazine—McLean, Va., Nov. 8, 2012—Retail sales increased 2 percent in units and 1 percent in dollars in August and September, according to the SIA RetailTRAK. This put sales at a four-season high in both units and dollars, with notably strong sales in the alpine equipment and accessories categories. The report is based on informati...

SAM Magazine—Camden, Maine, Nov. 8, 2012—Jeff Kuller, the popular director of parks and recreation, including the Camden Snow Bowl, died Nov. 4. He was cutting a tree limb in his yard when he suffered a head injury and died. Since 2004, Kuller had created a series of successes for Camden and the larger community that skis, hikes, and...

SAM Magazine--November 6, 2012--Northstar, California, released its Mountain Master Plan (NMMP) today, outlining what the future holds with regard to on-mountain improvements and additional recreational opportunities at the resort. The plan, submitted to Placer County for environmental review, outlines mountain improvements proposed at Northstar ov...

SAM Magazine—Boston, Mass., Nov. 6, 2012—Vermont’s ski resorts are launching a fundraising campaign this week in Boston, and online, to help residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut impacted by super storm Sandy. Dubbed Operation Mountains of Love, all of the funds raised will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief ...

SAM Magazine—Frisco, Colo., Nov. 1, 2012—Copper Mountain and Keystone Resort will both open for the season on Friday, Nov. 2. At Copper, the American Eagle chairlift starts turning as Copper launches its 40th season. Guests will be riding and skiing off of the American Eagle chairlift and access two Woodward at Copper terrain parks, ...

This article has been updated to include a statement from Canyons owner Talisker regarding future consideration of its SkiLink proposal. SAM Magazine—Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 1, 2012—More than 80 companies and conservation groups have signed a petition initiated by ski equipment supplier Black Diamond to oppose SkiLink, a proposal ...

Banner Elk, N.C., Oct. 30, 2012—Trick or treat, Superstorm Sandy has brought more than a foot and a half of snow to resorts in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states, prompting a few to open for the season. Sugar Mountain and Cataloochee, N.C., will open on Halloween, Oct. 31. This marks the earliest-ever opening for Sugar, and Cataloochee&rsq...

SAM Magazine--October 22, 2012--Jim Spring, founder of Leisure Trends Group (LTG), died early Monday morning while battling throat cancer. Spring founded LTG in 1989 and over the past 23 years developed and led the company to become one of the authorities in the sporting goods and specialty retail industries. Spring started his career in the ind...

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Oct. 22, 2012—The ASTM F24 Amusement Rides and Devices Committee approved the first version of the Aerial Adventure Course Standard, which includes zip lines, ropes courses, challenge courses, aerial trekking courses, and canopy tours. This new standard establishes criteria for the design, manufacture, inst...