• leadership

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., April 1, 2025—Four remarkable leaders have been recognized with a 2025 SAMMY Leadership Award for their vision, hands-on dedication, and people-first leadership. This year’s honorees are: Bo Bigelow, executive director, Midwest Ski Areas Association and Minnesota Ski Areas Association; Greg Gavrilets, general manag...

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., March 27, 2025—Nominations are now open for SAM’s annual “10 Under 30,” supported by Snow Operating. The feature recognizes 10 individuals under age 30 who are making significant contributions at their mountain resorts and demonstrating leadership potential within the industry. Industry professionals are encou...

• leadership

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., March 27, 2025—The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) has named two longtime ski industry leaders as the recipients of two of its most prestigious awards. Chris Cushing and Chip PerfectResort planner Chris Cushing is the 2025 NSAA Industry Impact Award honoree, and Perfect North Slopes (Ind.) owner Chip Perfect ...

• leadership

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight personnel moves in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to awards, obits, and supplier news, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE MIKE VAN EYCK, TENNEY MOUNTAIN, NH Mike van Eyck has been named president and general manager of Tenney Mountain....

SAM Magazine—Danbury, N.H., March 21, 2025—Ragged Mountain Resort has been listed for sale, along with more than 2,000 acres of surrounding land. The ski area is currently managed by Pacific Group Resorts, Inc. (PGRI), on behalf of a third-party owner that acquired it in 2007.  The listing includes both the ski resort operations and separatel...

• Summer Operations News

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...

SAM Magazine—Winter Park, Colo., March 13, 2025—Snowfall, rates, and fluctuations in economic policies all contributed to declines in both booking pace and winter season occupancy at Western mountain destinations during February, according to the most recent monthly Market Briefing from Inntopia’s DestiMetrics division. While the second half ...

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., March 11, 2025—Vail Resorts reported increases in visits, net income, and EBITDA for its fiscal second quarter, ended Jan. 31. However, it also reported season-to-date metrics through March 2, which showed slimmer upticks in revenues and a decline in visits. VR CEO Kirsten Lynch and CFO Angela Korch said that des...

SAM Magazine—Golden, British Columbia, March 10, 2025 [updated March 11, 11:40 a.m. EDT]—A gondola cabin with eight passengers inside fell from the Golden Eagle Express gondola at Kicking Horse Resort this morning. The detachment occurred shortly after the cabin left the lower terminal. No injuries have been reported. All lifts were shut down ...

SAM Magazine—Fabius, N.Y., March 10, 2025—A New York State judge has ruled that Intermountain Management, owner of Labrador Mountain and Song Mountain ski areas, violated state antitrust law when it purchased and shut down neighboring Toggenburg ski area in 2021. The ruling, issued by Judge Robert E. Antonacci II and granting the Office of the...

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., March 6, 2025—The cost of an Epic Pass will top $1,000 for the first time since the company slashed pass prices in 2021. Most pass access remains unchanged from the previous season, with the primary update being the addition of Switzerland’s Verbier 4 Vallées to more pass tiers. The 2025-26 Epic Pass will sta...

SAM Magazine—Denver, March 6, 2025—The 2025-26 Ikon Pass will introduce new resort access, expanded benefits, and a notable change to the pass lineup when it goes on sale March 13. Ischgl, a ski area in Austria that connects to Switzerland, will join as the seventh Ikon Pass destination in Europe. Additionally, Colorado's Arapahoe Basin, which...

SAM Magazine—Aspen, Colo., March 4, 2025—For the 2025-26 season, the Mountain Collective Pass will once again offer two days of access to 26 ski partner resorts with some changes from the previous year, including the departure of Arapahoe Basin, Colo., and the addition of new pass-holder benefits. For the upcoming season, pass holders who purc...

SAM Magazine—Warren, Vt., March 3, 2025—United States Vice President JD Vance went on a ski trip to Sugarbush Resort this past weekend with his family, along with a vast entourage of security personnel. Photo credit: Evan L’Roy/VTDiggerThe visit became a flash point, drawing more than 1,000 protesters to the resort and surrounding community....

SAM Magazine—Wardsboro, Vt., March 3, 2025—Many regions of the United States, especially those that experienced somewhat lackluster snowfall and mild temps last winter, are enjoying the benefits of consistent snow and cold weather so far this season, and the results for the Presidents’ Day holiday appear to prove that out. Photo credit: Snow...