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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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SAM Magazine—Jacksonville, Fla., Aug. 21, 2020—The latest briefing from Insights Collective shares a new study that found political polarization has heightened as we head into November. Most resorts and destinations have been politically agnostic—however, visitors are not. The briefing also points to economic indicators showing mixed signals ...
SAM Magazine—Eden, Utah, Aug. 21, 2020—Nordic Valley Ski Resort has unveiled a major capital improvement project that includes the area's first high-speed chairlift and the largest terrain expansion project in resort history. Both are slated to open during the upcoming winter. High speed six pack top terminal construction Earlier this sum...
SAM Magazine—August 20, 2020—The FIS Audi Alpine World Cup tour will not travel to North America in the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 complications. Early season men’s and women’s races at Killington, Vt., Lake Louise, AB, and Vail/Beaver Creek, Colo., have all been cancelled. “The North American races are always a very special tw...
SAM Magazine—Hastings, Minn., Aug. 19, 2020—In lieu of its traditional summer meeting and tradeshow, the Midwest Ski Areas Association (MSAA) hosted members at a new virtual event, MSAA Summer Connect, held Aug. 17 and 18. COVID-19 was the common theme across the four one-hour-long Zoom sessions. MSAA members heard from the National Ski Areas ...
SAM Magazine—Winter Park, Colo., Aug. 19, 2020—At the midpoint of the summer, occupancy and revenues at western mountain destinations continue to be dramatically lower than last summer, according to the latest DestiMetrics monthly Market Briefing by Inntopia. However, the month of July saw pent-up demand bring a return of some overnight stays.V...
SAM Magazine—Warren, Vt., August 13, 2020—Sugarbush Resort president and COO Win Smith is retiring from his post. John Hammond, Sugarbush vice president of mountain operations and recreational services, has been named as Smith’s successor, effective Sept. 1. Smith will stay on as a senior adviser to the current leadership team. Win Smith...
SAM Magazine—Telluride, Colo., Aug. 13, 2020—Bill Jensen has stepped down from his position as CEO of Telluride Ski & Golf Resort, effective Aug. 7. Jensen had joined Telluride as CEO and partner in December 2015. In a prepared statement, Chuck Horning, the majority owner of Telski, said, “Given the current situation, man...
SAM Magazine—Jacksonville, Fla., Aug. 12, 2020—A new study shows that the odds of catching COVID-19 on a flight are less than most travelers think. House leaders in Congress are open to including some relief for the hotel industry in any stimulus deal. Massive Airbnb house parties in New Jersey have led to more restrictions on rentals. Why th...
SAM Magazine— Duluth, Minn., Aug. 12, 2020—Spirit Mountain executive director Brandy Ream and her husband, general manager Jody Ream, have both resigned their positions and will be leaving at the end of August. Spirit Mountain is an authority of the City of Duluth, Minn., and the resignations come just ahead of the first meeting of a newly est...
SAM Magazine—Victoria, Australia, Aug. 10, 2020—The Victorian government last week ordered Mt. Buller and Mt. Stirling—the last two operating alpine ski areas in the state—to close to the public as part of stage 3 coronavirus restrictions. As of 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 6, visitors were not allowed to enter the resorts, and any violation...
SAM Magazine—Fairfield, Idaho, Aug. 10, 2020—Soldier Mountain Ski Area in Idaho was supposed to celebrate the grand opening of its new bike park Aug. 7 and 8. Instead, resort staff had to evacuate and close the access road on Aug. 6 due to a nearby wildfire that marched across the property over the weekend. The Phillips Fire destroyed th...
In SAM’s monthly Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. STEVE KRUSE, TIMBERLINE LODGE After 31 years at Timberline Lodge, Ore., longtime GM Steve Kruse has retired. Kruse was a World Cup technician in the 1980s and started at Timberline as the rental and repair m...
SAM Magazine—Jacksonville, Fla., Aug. 7, 2020—Schoolchildren could become COVID-19 superspreaders. Resorts that open with a laissez-faire approach to masking and distancing could face a major media backlash. And tourism organizations—including resorts—are facing increased political pressure from local residents. These are among the i...
SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Aug. 6, 2020— As discussions take place on Capitol Hill about a new round of funding to combat the impacts of COVID-19, NSAA is urging resorts to contact their U.S. Senators and request support for the RESTART Act. With Congress set to leave Washington for its August recess next week, immediate action is required. ...
SAM Magazine—Boulder, Colo., Aug. 4, 2020—In a measure of pent-up demand, more than three-quarters of mountain visitors are eager to travel once conditions are safe again, according to a recent Mountain Traveler Sentiment Survey conducted in July by RRC Associates. The survey was one of several data sources highlighted by members of the Insight...
