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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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Powder Alliance Adds Two New Zealand Destinations

SAM Magazine—Wrightwood, Calif., Sept. 1, 2022—The Powder Alliance has added two New Zealand resorts to its 2022-23 affiliate program lineup. The Tūroa and Whakapapa ski areas, both located on Mt. Ruapehu, the country's largest active volcano, join 19 other destinations in North America, Japan, and Canada as part of the reciprocal pass part...

Ikon Pass Adds Lotte Arai and Panorama

SAM Magazine—Denver, Sept. 1, 2022—Alterra Mountain Company’s Ikon Pass has added Lotte Arai Resort in Japan and Panorama Mountain Resort in British Columbia. With the additions, the pass will provide access to more than 50 destinations in 10 countries for the 2022-23 season. Full Ikon Pass holders will have access to seven days at both reso...

Big Snow, Mich. Acquisition Closed, Renamed Snowriver Mountain Resort

SAM Magazine—Duluth, Minn., Aug. 29, 2022—Charles Skinner Jr. has closed on the acquisition of Big Snow Resort, which includes Indianhead and Blackjack ski areas, all of which will be renamed with new branding. Big Snow will transition to Snowriver Mountain Resort, the Indianhead area will be called Jackson Creek Summit, and Blackjack will be B...

Arizona Snowbowl Wins 2022 Rise Up Challenge

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Aug. 23, 2022—In a tight race, the lift maintenance team from Arizona Snowbowl and its featured lift mechanic Nick Gilbertson have won the 2022 Rise Up Challenge, sponsored by Leitner-Poma of America. Gilbertson and the Snowbowl team will be awarded a $3,500 education grant. More than 4,500 votes were cast in the c...

Peter White to Re-acquire Mont Glen, Reopen It to the Public

SAM Magazine—West Bolton, Quebec, Aug. 24, 2022—Former owner Peter White has entered into an agreement to purchase Mont Glen for CAD $6.1 million and plans to reopen the ski area in southern Quebec to the general public for operations this winter.  According to a report from Le Reflect du Lac, the acquisition is expected to close Oct. 31. W...

More Bidders for Jay Peak Likely to Appear

SAM Magazine—Jay, Vt., Aug. 24, 2022—With the likelihood that another bidder (or more) for Jay Peak will surface in the next few days, the resort’s federal court appointed receiver, Michael Goldberg, filed a motion Aug. 18 proposing a new deadline for the sale of the resort.  The motion states that any bidders must identify themselves and s...

Indy Pass Adds Mountain High and Dodge Ridge

SAM Magazine—Portland, Ore., Aug. 24, 2022—Indy Pass has added two more resorts to its growing list of partners for the 2022-23 season: Mountain High and Dodge Ridge, Calif. Dodge Ridge, Calif.The additions bring Indy Pass’s total alpine and Nordic resort partners to 106.  The partnerships are part of Indy’s strategy for growth in the We...

Vail Resorts Drops Vaccine Requirements, Will Limit Day Tickets

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., Aug. 23, 2022—Vail Resorts has updated its Covid protocols, dropping vaccine requirements for guests and staff, and will limit day ticket sales for the upcoming winter season, according to its 2022-23 operating plan.Covid protocols. Across all its resorts, the company will no longer require face coverings, vaccin...

Big Rock Gets $2.5 Million Boost from U.S. Department of Commerce

SAM Magazine—Mars Hill, Maine, Aug. 17, 2022—The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) has awarded a $2.5 million grant to Big Rock Mountain to boost tourism by supporting investment into a new chairlift and increased snowmaking capacity at the Mars Hill, Maine, ski area. Big Rock Mountain is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit...

Historic Climate Bill Expected to Benefit Ski Industry

SAM Magazine—Washington, D.C., Aug. 16, 2022—President Biden signed the $750 billion Inflation Reduction Act today. The package includes the largest climate, energy, and environmental justice investment ($370 billion) in U.S. history, from which the U.S. ski industry stands to benefit.  The legislation, which addresses health care and taxes ...

Rates Hover Near Record, Occupancy Dips at Western Mountain Destinations

SAM Magazine—Stowe, Vt., Aug. 12, 2022—Daily rates at western mountain destinations are hovering at near record highs despite continued declines in occupancy totals for summer 2022, according to the Monthly Market Briefing from DestiMetrics, the Business Intelligence division of Inntopia. The downward trend in occupancy started as early as las...

NSP CEO Chris Castilian Resigns

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Aug. 9, 2022—After only 13 months on the job, National Ski Patrol (NSP) CEO Chris Castilian resigned last week, Aug. 5, 2022, having reached an impasse with the organization’s board of directors.  “Over the last several months, it has become clear that the board and I have vastly different visions for the fut...

Keystone Bergman Bowl Restoration Approved, But Lift Will Not Open for 2022-23

SAM Magazine—Keystone, Colo., Aug. 5, 2022—Work on Keystone Resort’s Bergman Bowl Express will move forward after the U.S. Forest Service approved the resort’s plan to restore environmental damage to a high alpine area incurred during construction. However, the lift will not be completed as scheduled in time for the 2022-23 winter season du...

Vail Town Council Blocks Permits for Vail Resorts Employee Housing Project

SAM Magazine—Vail, Colo., Aug. 5, 2022—The Vail town council approved an emergency ordinance this week that suspended all permits for any activity on Vail Resorts’ 23-acre property in East Vail where the company planned to build a $17 million affordable housing development. The housing project was slated to be completed for winter 2023-24, bu...

Nick Herrin to Lead New Snowsports Division at Boyne Resorts

SAM Magazine—Boyne Falls, Mich., Aug. 3, 2022—Boyne Resorts has tapped Nick Herrin to lead its new snowsports division. Herrin joined the company in the newly created role of senior vice president of snowsports on Aug. 2.  “We are excited to again reinforce the importance of our instruction programs as we work to grow winter sports,” said...