PGRI president and CEO Vern Greco shares his thoughts on the acquisition with SAM. SAM Magazine—Jay, Vt., Sept. 8, 2022—Pacific Group Resorts, Inc. (PGRI) made the highest and best final bid to buy Jay Peak, $76 million, following an auction with multiple bidders. PGRI president and CEO Vern Greco told SAM that after three years spent pursuing the acquisition, PGRI is poised to bring renewed stability to the resort and its staff, and tap into its passion and energy. The prevailing bid remains subject to approval by the United States District Court in Southern Florida during a final hearing scheduled for Sept. 16. Judge Darrin P. Gayles, who has presided over the receivership in federal...
SAM Magazine—Stowe, Vt., April 19, 2022—Stowe Mountain Resort will implement a new parking plan for the 2022-23 season that includes paid and free parking as well as carpool incentives, according to a letter from general manager Bobby Murphy shared on the resort’s social media channels. The new strategy aims to reduce traffic congestion on...
SAM Magazine—Lake Placid, N.Y., April 19, 2022—The state Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) board of directors approved more than $91.7 million in upcoming capital projects yesterday, including nearly $20 million for construction of a new lodge at the North Creek Ski Bowl and $38 million for seven new or upgraded lifts at ORDA's Whit...
SAM Magazine—Wildwood, Mo., April 18, 2022—Vail Resorts (VR) has named Tony Santora as the new general manager for Hidden Valley Ski Resort, Mo., effective May 1. He succeeds Brandon Swartz, who became GM of VR-owned Attitash Mountain Resort, N.H., in February. Santora comes from within the VR enterprise. He currently serves as senior manager o...
SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., April 18, 2022—Win Smith and Rob Katz will receive the 2022 National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Lifetime Achievement and Industry Impact Awards, respectively, on Saturday, May 14, at the 60th annual NSAA National Convention in Nashville. Smith and Katz are both well-known and respected leaders who came to the ski...
SAM Magazine—April 15, 2022, Burlington, Vt.—Former Jay Peak, Vt., president Bill Stenger, 73, was sentenced by a federal judge Thursday to serve 18 months in prison and pay $250,000 in restitution for his role in defrauding foreign investors that were part of the EB-5 program.Last August, Stenger pleaded guilty to providing false documents in ...
SAM Magazine—Stowe, Vt., April 14, 2022—Winter lodging rates and revenue are tracking toward new record levels at western mountain destinations, while summer room rates appear to be softening, according to the most recent Monthly Market Briefing from DestiMetrics, the Business Intelligence division of Inntopia. The report again shares multi-yea...
SAM Magazine—Park City, Utah, April 13, 2022—Powdr Corporation named Chris “Gunny” Gunnarson president of Woodward, its collection of camps and mountain resort experiences geared toward youth participation in action sports. The position was created to grow the Woodward business following its 2018 rebrand. “I don’t know anyone with a ...
SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., April 12, 2022—Vail Resorts (VR) has planned four new investments in employee housing at Park City Mountain, Utah, Whistler Blackcomb, B.C., Vail Mountain, Colo., and Okemo Mountain Resort, Vt. First Chair Employee Housing at VailThe new housing will in total provide affordable housing options to more than 875 VR...
SAM Magazine—Portland, Ore., April 12, 2022—Indy Pass has introduced the new Indy XC Pass for 2022-23, which will include two days of access to seven cross-country ski areas in North America. Photo from Waterville Valley ResortThe pass costs $69 for adults, $29 for youth ages 12 and under. Cross-country access will also be included on the regul...
SAM Magazine—Cambridge, Vt., April 1, 2022—Around the globe, the industry is showing signs of growth with a slew of new construction, expansion, and development projects, all aimed at improving operationsNew base lodge coming to Cranmore. and enhancing the guest experience. The continued proliferation of new capital plans is a promising sign of...
SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., April 1, 2022—The four individuals being recognized with 2022 SAMMY Leadership Awards symbolize the actions, approaches, and operations that have grown in importance during the past two tumultuous years—small, family-owned ski areas; diversity, equity, and inclusion on our mountains; and transparent marketing commu...
SAM Magazine—Government Camp, Ore., March 31, 2022—A new master development plan from Timberline operators R.L.K. and Company outlines major capital investments to further integrate Summit Pass (formerly Summit Ski Area) with Timberline Ski Area. The plans include a two-stage gondola that would provide game-changing direct, aerial access from t...
Updated April 25, 2022 to acknowledge original reporting by Moonshine Ink. SAM Magazine—Homewood, Calif., March 28, 2022—Homewood Mountain Resort owner JMA Ventures has said the mountain will shift to a semi-private model following a 10-year 40 percent decline in skier visit and 64 percent drop in passholders, as reported by Moonshine Ink. ...
SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., March 28, 2022—Vail Resorts (VR) has entered into an agreement to purchase a majority stake in Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG from Andermatt Swiss Alps AG (ASA). Andermatt-Sedrun is a destination ski resort in central Switzerland, located less than 90 minutes from major metropolitan areas Zurich, Lucerne, and Lugano, ...
SAM Magazine—Aspen Snowmass, Colo., March 24, 2022—Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) president and CEO Mike Kaplan will retire April 30, 2023. At that time, Kaplan will have spent 30 years with the company, and the last 17 years as its president and CEO. Kaplan joined ASC as a supervisor at the Aspen Mountain Ski School in 1993. He spent six ye...