SAM Magazine-St. Sauveur, Que., Mar. 21, 2006-Jacques Hebert, chairman of Mont Saint Sauveur International, which operates Jay Peak and several Quebec areas, died Mar. 17 after a brief illness. He had been involved in managing the company since the 1960s and was an icon in the Quebec ski industry. Under his leadership, the company purchased Jay Pea...

SAM Magazine-Londonderry, Vt., Mar. 20, 2006-An investment group led by a Connecticut lawyer is set to purchase Magic Mountain ski area here for about $3 million, according to the current owners. A report in the Brattleboro (Vt.) Reformer termed the deal "imminent." The sale would give Magic its fourth owner in the last 10 years. Magic general ...

SAM Magazine-Park City, Ut., Mar. 16, 2006-American Skiing Company (ASC) reported total consolidated revenue of $112.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2006, up 6 percent from $106.1 million for the year-earlier period. Revenue from resort operations was $109.9 million compared with $103.4 million in 2005. This year's total represents a rec...

SAM Magazine-Denver, Colo., Mar.14, 2006-Colorado resorts hosted a record 5.2 million-plus skiers and snowboarders from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, according to Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA). This represents an increase of more than five percent over the same time period last season, and more than 230,000 visits ahead of the state's previous best J...

SAM Magazine-McClean, Va., Mar. 14, 2006-Overall sales for the winter sport market were up 9 percent to $1.8 billion for the August 2005 through January 2006 period, compared to $1.7 billion a year earlier, according to the SIA Retail Audit. Unit sales were up 8 percent. Sales at specialty ski and snowboard shops were up 8 percent, to $1.4 billi...

SAM Magazine-Flagstaff, Ariz., Mar. 14, 2006-The Arizona Snowbowl will open on Friday, Mar. 17, after a recent storm cycle dropped 56 inches of snow. Snowbowl had received just 22 inches in the 2005-06 season prior to the recent storms, leading to the latest opening in the resort's history. "We are happy to finally open for the skiers and snowbo...

SAM Magazine--Vail, Colo., March 13, 2006--Vail Resorts released its second quarter results today (three months ended January 31) and the snow gods were kind. First, the company reports that skier visits increased 7.9 percent over the same period last year, giving Vail Resorts a new skier visit record--2,875,000 million versus 2,664,000 during the...

SAM Magazine--March 13, 2006, Vancouver, B.C.--After the sale of Mammoth Mountain to Starwood Capital, Intrawest announced today that it will sell the majority of its real estate holdings in the town of Mammoth Lakes for $60 million pre-tax profit to the same company. The real estate comprises the future development of over 1,100 residential units ...

SAM Magazine-The U.S. has the world's most expensive six-day lift pass, priced at more than $500, according to the 2005-06 World Lift Ticket Price Survey. The survey, the fifth annual such report from Snow Hunter Ltd., presents a broad review of six-day lift ticket prices from more than 300 ski areas in 30 countries. For bargain-hunters, Iran is...

SAM Magazine-McLean, Va., Feb. 28, 2006-Overall sales for the winter sport market (including specialty and chain stores) rose 13 percent, to $1.5 billion, for the August through December period of 2005, compared to $1.3 billion a year earlier, according to the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Retail Audit. Unit sales were up 14 percent. Sales...

SAM Magazine-Steamboat Springs, Colo., Feb. 28, 2006-American Skiing Co. (ASC) is selling the remaining units in its Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel & Condominiums on Mar. 18 during a live and online auction Mar. 18. The auction will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units and penthouse residences, including more than 200 fractional shares and more t...

SAM Magazine-Avon, Colo., Feb. 28, 2006-Vail Resorts has named Robert Katz as chief executive officer, effective immediately, and promoted several other executives, including Vail VP/COO Bill Jensen and Breckenridge and Keystone VP/COO Roger McCarthy. Last but not least, Joe R. Micheletto has been elected chairman of the board. As part of its reorg...

SAM Magazine-Vancouver, B.C., Feb. 28, 2006-Intrawest has initiated a review of strategic options for enhancing shareholder value, including, but not limited to, a capital structure review, strategic partnerships or business combinations. The company has retained Goldman, Sachs & Co. to assist in the review, which is already underway. No timetable ...

SAM Magazine--Montpelier, Vt., February 8, 2006--The Vermont Ski Areas Association announced that Parker Riehle has been named the new president of the trade association. Victoria Provost was also promoted to VP of marketing. Riehle replaces departing president David Dillon, who has accepted the head position at the Haystack Club. Riehle has rep...

SAM Magazine--February 7, 2006--This is a reminder that on February 11, the Sports Illustrated for Kids Next Snow All Stars program will lead NBC's opening-day coverage of the Winter Olympic Games. The show will air at 2 p.m. EST, 1 p.m. Central, 12 p.m. Mountain, and 11 a.m. Pacific time. The Next Snow event, which was created by Jack Turner of...