No Merger and No Otten at ASC
The much-ballyhooed merger between American Skiing Company (ASC) and MeriStar Hotels and Resorts fell through at the eleventh hour. At the end of March, both companies announced that changes in economic conditions and both companies’ inability to raise the capital needed for the merger led them to the decision to abandon the merger.
Less than a week after the announcement, Leslie B. Otten, chairman and CEO of ASC, announced his resignation. B.J. Fair, ASC’s COO for the past year, will take over Otten’s position. For more on the story, see Blue Pages on page 95.
Resorts of Canadian Rockies Files for Protection
Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Group (RCR), which is owned by Charles Locke, filed for protection from its creditors in March and was making plans to sell non-ski-related assets in a bid to cut debts. Most of RCR’s properties, largely based in western Canada, suffered from poor snowfall recently.
RCR purchased several new resorts in the late 1990s, including an expansion eastward to purchase Quebec’s Stoneham and Mont Ste. Anne with a view to growing the destination market from west to east. Other properties include Fortress Mountain, Wintergreen, and Nakisaka, which was built for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. All of them, like Lake Louise, are located in Alberta. The company also owns Fernie and Kimberley in British Columbia.
There has been speculation that Intrawest might be a bidder for any RCR properties that wind up on the market. According to insiders, Fernie, Kimberley and Lake Louise are core to the RCR operation and unlikely to go up for sale, though several hotels, bars, golf resorts and possible some smaller ski areas are likely to be offered.
Ski Patrol Court Finding Overturned
A California District Court decision that found the National Ski Patrol negligent in a wrongful death suit involving a Bear Mountain Ski Patrol candidate was overturned in April. The suit, which awarded the plaintiffs $1.4 million, was overturned by the state’s Superior Court when it found the plaintiffs understood the inherent risks of skiing.
According to National Ski Areas Association President Michael Berry, the court’s reversal should help ski area operators and their patrollers breathe a sigh of relief. “The traditional foundation is intact,” said Berry, referring to the relationship ski area operators have had with their patrollers over the years.
The case involved John Kane, a patrol candidate who slipped and fell on an icy portion of trail at Bear Mountain in 1995. Kane, who had been testing for the patrol along with his wife, slid beyond the ski area boundary. Colleen Kane slid off the slope as well, breaking her leg. Her husband was pronounced dead at the scene.
The original decision awarding the Kane family damages caused many ski area operators to wonder about their relationships with the National Ski Patrol and whether there were enough safeguards in place at a resort should a similar incident occur. Berry, putting the recent decision into perspective, noted that the exposure operators worried about was not there and that the court decision should allay some of those fears.
Lake Louise Goes After Government Minister
A lawsuit brought against Parks Canada by Lake Louise Ski Area alleges the federal government’s heritage minister is abusing her power. The suit comes out of an ongoing battle between Heritage Minister Sheila Copps and the Alberta ski area. Lake Louise, located in Banff National Park, charges that the minister is acting autocratically in restricting a ski area lift project that received prior approval from the national park administration.
The dispute stems from a long-term process to create ski area guidelines for development, a joint venture between the four National Park ski areas and Parks Canada. The draft plan was delivered in February 1998 and the ski areas expected it to be reviewed by the Minister’s office. Since then, the ski areas have been stonewalled by the office and have repeatedly asked for meetings and reviews, to no avail. It finally came down to the suit because, says Crosbie Cotton, spokesman for the ski areas, a statute of limitations was about to expire.
Grand Targhee Gets Land at Base Area
The final OK has been given to the land swap between the Forest Service and Grand Targhee ski resort. In exchange for 120 acres at the base of the ski area, Targhee gave the Forest Service 400 acres of land near Yellowstone National Park.
The swap faced many challenges from conservationist groups that claimed that the 120 acres are worth anywhere from 15 to 50 times more than the $3.3 million the Forest Service valued it at and that the swap would create an unprecedented private holding two and a half miles inside the Targhee National Forest.
However, the conservationists’ appeal was overruled and the Forest Service affirmed the exchange. Most expect the environmentalist groups to take the matter to court.
But the road ahead of Targhee will not be easy. The land at the base area, as given, is designated as rural and the resort will now have to face planning and zoning to change the designation and start the master plan process.
New USSA Marketing Campaign
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team is going big on television, in magazines and on the Internet with a new marketing and ad campaign aimed at capturing “the excitement and danger of the sports.” The campaign was announced at the SIA SnowSports 2001 trade show in Las Vegas and is aimed at getting Americans to watch and support skiing and snowboarding competitions.
Entitled “Home of the Brave,” the campaign will begin with ad placements estimated to cost $500,000 that show various champion U.S. athletes in action. The campaign was designed by DSW Partners, which has donated its work on the branding and marketing effort. DSW was behind the recent campaigns of Ask Jeeves, Intel, Iomega, Netscape, Novell and WordPerfect. Athletes being featured include 1992 Olympic moguls champion Donna Weinbrecht, 2001 super G World Champion Daron Rahlves, 1998 Olympic aerials champion Eric Bergoust, 1998 Olympic moguls champion Jonny Moseley, 1998 Olympic super G champion Picabo Street and 2001 X-Games halfpipe silver medalist Tommy “The Machine” Czeschin.
Killington Patrol Joins Union
The Killington Ski Patrol voted to unionize this past March, becoming the eighth unionized patrol in the country and the first in Vermont. As a result of the vote, which was reportedly prompted by low pay and the use of volunteers, the 35 members of the ski patrol will be represented by the Transportation Technical Warehouse Industrial and Service Employees Union.
Enough Is Enough for Williams
After more than 30 years of seeking approval for expansion, Williams Ski Area near Flagstaff, Ariz., has hit another, and perhaps final, roadblock.
The ski area, headed by Laird Moody since 1963, first submitted an expansion plan to the Forest Service (FS) in 1968. The plan called for the 37-acre area to expand to 600 acres and go from 600 feet of vertical to 1,700 feet. After problems with a Mexican Spotted Owl, which required the input of Fish & Wildlife, and an EIS that was started in 1978 and not completed until 1988, the plan was pared down in 1995 to 200 acres, but still gave the area the same vertical, 19 new runs and new facilities.
Because of the new plan, a revised EIS was required and Williams had to foot the bill. A draft was then released in November 1999 for a comment period that lasted until February 2000. Unfortunately, during the same time, the FS changed personnel in the region in early 2000 and the new supervisor reversed the FS’s position. Instead, the FS will allow an upgrade of the existing 37 acres, but no expansion.
After 30 years and no results, Moody, at presstime, said he would have to file Chapter 11 and find someone to take over. The reason for Chapter 11 is a $100,000 debt to the consultant hired to draft the revised EIS.
Telluride 100% Sold
Morita Investments International (MINT), a privately-held family investment company owned by Hideo “Joe” Morita, purchased 100 percent ownership of Telluride Ski & Golf Company (Telski). The limited partners of Telski, including Ron Allred, Joyce Allred, Jim Wells, Charles E. Cobb Jr. and Sue M. Cobb, agreed to sell their remaining interests in the company to majority partner MINT. Additionally, Wells, president of Telski, announced his retirement.
MINT went on to announce a $14 million expansion for the 733-acre Prospect Bowl, including three high-speed detachable quads, infrastructure and buildings, trail work, snowmaking and guest services and dining facilities.
Boyne to Spend $400M on Big Sky
Boyne USA expects to spend $400 million on additional terrain and expansions to the village at Big Sky Resort. The plan includes adding more than 100 shops and restaurants, a spa, conference facilities and up to 1,800 acres of skiing over the next 10 years. The plan got local approval from the Madison County Planning Board and was drawn by Design Workshop of Denver and Prugh & Lenon Architects of Bozeman. The project entails constructing a pedestrian-style village to appeal to what management sees as a growing demand for real estate ownership and family vacations. In addition to the expanded terrain, the on-mountain improvements include the installation of six high-speed lifts.
Ski Santa Fe Ready for Triple Approval
Managers at Ski Santa Fe said a unanimous endorsement of their proposed new triple chair by the local County Development Review Committee means the plan will almost certainly get final approval from county commissioners, who were scheduled to consider the plan at their May meeting, which means construction won’t take place for at least another year.
Plans call for an estimated 1,750 trees to be removed and that can’t take place once the ground has thawed. Those trees will be removed to make way for a 5,600-foot-long triple chair and the extension of three trails up to a shoulder of Deception Peak. The project has been in the resort’s U.S. Forest Service-approved master plan since 1996. A handful of people spoke at the committee hearing in March opposing the plan for environmental reasons, but Benny Abruzzo, president of Ski Santa Fe, argued that the Forest Service looked at every aspect of the master plan over a period of 11 years before approving it. According to Abruzzo, it’s expected the county commissioners will follow their review committee’s lead in approving installation.
SIA News
The SnowSports Industries America reports increased buyer turnout at its Las Vegas show in March. The unaudited numbers indicate 5,761 buyers and 2,122 shops registered. In the supplier category, 476 companies displayed goods.
In other news, the most recent audit of retail sales of ski and snowboard goods showed a 10.5 percent increase through January. Though the buying pace had slowed since the November and December audits (increases over the previous year reached almost 18 percent as of December 31), the numbers still indicate a strong season. The year-to-date figures for August through January include hardgoods as well as softgoods sales. Specialty stores showed an increases for alpine ski equipment, especially in sales of midfats, twin-tips and skiboards. Alpine boots and nordic gear were up, as were accessories. Overall apparel categories were down.
Bombardier and Prinoth Team Up
Bombardier Recreational Products, Utility Vehicles, announced that it will get out of sales in Europe and turn servicing and parts over to Prinoth. In turn, Bombardier will be the exclusive distributor of Prinoth in North America.
People
Brundage Mountain Resort, Idaho, promoted Marty Rood to director of ski school. The resort also hired Jenny Stone as the new communications coordinator and supervisor of guest services and named Greg Wyatt the rental and performance center manager.
Dan Rutherford was appointed president of Mount Bachelor, Ore., in the wake of Randall Papé’s resignation. Cliff Berke was appointed vice president of finance.
Northstar-At-Tahoe, Cal., named David Corbin vice president of resort development. The resort also announced that Erin Bernall, communications manager, earned a national accreditation in public relations from the Public Relations Society of America. Lisa Jurevich, the resort’s compensation and benefits administrator, earned certification as a professional in human resources (PHR).
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area promoted Justin Burleson to hill safety director and Calvin King to assistant manager of retail.
Grant Fleming was appointed mountain operations manager at Grand Targhee, Wyo., moving from Jackson Hole. The resort also named Sauny Sewell resort naturalist, a newly-created year-round position.
Ralph Walton, longtime board chairman of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Colo., retired from his post. Walton has been the resort’s senior officer since purchasing it in 1970 with Howard Callaway. . .Charles Mayfield was let go from his job as vice president of marketing for Colorado Ski Country USA in April. He was with the organization for four years and remained in his post for six months after David Perry took the reins of the statewide trade group.
In other Colorado Ski Country USA news, the association announced that it selected Paul Molnar of Copper Mountain Resort as Snowmaker of the Year and Gerry Dorsey of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area as Slope Groomer of the Year.
Jeff Hanson was appointed director of golf for Vail’s Red Sky Ranch.
Park City Mountain Resort, Utah, has named Bonnie Crail vice president of marketing. Crail comes to Park City from a background in ski, snowboard and surf sports marketing. She replaces Laura Murphy in the post.
Karen Courtland-Kelly, former Olympic figure skating team member and Olympic Regional Development Authority consultant, was named to the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Charlie Skinner, who served as president and CEO of Lutsen Mountain, Minn., since purchasing it in 1980, retired earlier this year. Executive duties will be shared by Skinner’s children and their spouses.
Brodie Mountain, Mass., promoted James Van Dyke to vice president and COO. He had been director of resort operations at the resort and was previously director of mountain operations at Jiminy Peak.
Diane Mueller, co-owner of Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont was unanimously elected to serve as vice chairman of the Vermont State Board of Education. She was appointed to the board in 1998.
Dave Walker, ski patrol director at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Mass., received the National Ski Patrol’s Outstanding Administration Ski Patroller award.
Skiers and Riders Receive Honors
Daron Rahlves, the super G world champ, and Kirsten Clark, world cup downhill winner and four-time national champion, were named U.S. Alpine Skiers of the Year by Ski Racing International and Chevy Trucks. Jake Zemansky and Julia Mancuso were named the Sprint-Ski Racing Junior Alpine Skiers of the Year.
The Transworld Snowboarding group announced the winners of its Riders’ Poll during the SIA Vegas Show. The readers’ choice winners are Tara Dakides and Terje Haakonsen; best overall riders are Tara Dakides and Bjorn Leines; rookie-of-the-year honors go to Anne Molln Kongsgaard and Gigi Rüf; best boardercross riders are Ine Pötzl and Shaun Palmer; best big mountain riders are Victoria Jealouse and Jeremy Jones; rock star of the year is Peter Line; SIA retailers’ choice goes to Tara Dakides and Peter Line; best rail riders are Tara Dakides and J.P. Walker; best halfpipe riders are Nicola Thost and Todd Richards; best freestyle riders are Tara Dakides and Kevin Jones and the best video segment award goes to Bjorn Leine.
Supplier News
Teufelberger/Austria purchased the Voest Alpine Austria Draht steel wire rope mill in St. Agyd, Austria.
Erbschloe Fun Construct GmbH, the manufacturer of Rolba Run alpine slides, trampolines and reinforced epoxy track replacement parts, announced a new partnership with Geise Engineering, Inc. for distribution and sales in the U.S.
Lenko Snow, Inc., consolidated its warehousing and administrative functions in one office to deal with correspondence, invoicing and payments. The new address is Lenko Snow, 551 Queensbury Ave. #4, Queensbury, NY 12804. Phone: (518) 743-9193; fax: (518) 743-0045; toll-free: 1-800-865-3656; email: [email protected]; Website: www.lenkosnow.com.
Wells Fargo purchased ACO Brokerage Holdings, the parent company of Acordia, Inc and Acordia Resort Services, creating the largest bank-owned insurance agency in the country.
RSN sold its entire stock ownership stake in Moguls Ski and Snowboard Tours, Inc. to Unexplored Inc., a provider of technology and business solutions to suppliers of specialty leisure travel.
Brochure distributor CTM Brochure Display announced it had merged with Central Brochure Distributors and Minnesota Brochures. Under the CTM banner, the operation will first concentrate on the ski industry in the Chicago and Wisconsin markets.
Supplier Personnel
Karl Trutsch announced his retirement as chairman of the board of Garaventa Holding AG. As the primary stockholder, he will remain a member of the board. CEO Werner Inderbitzen will take over as chairman. The company also announced it hired Bruno Melnik as director of Swiss operations.
Ski Magazine promoted Greg Trinker to executive editor and Megan Henry to senior editor.
Freeze magazine appointed Ashley Otte as sales representative for the western U.S.
Marcy Rauscher, formerly of Acordia Resort Services, has joined K&K Insurance as a senior claims and risk management specialist.
Ingersoll-Rand appointed Allen Behbehani to be a major account manager for Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. He will support the efforts of John Chelius who will remain a consultant with the company.
Hugh Harley, president of Rossignol, was elected chairman of the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) board of directors. Other changes to the SIA board include the choices of Richard Leffler of Nils as first vice-chair; David Schmidt of Burton as second vice chair; Diane Boyer-Irwin of SKEA as third vice chair; John Schweizer of Garmont USA as secretary. Peter Duke of Smartwool, Tim Petrick of K2, Mike Carey of Seirus, Stephen Crisafulli of Marmot, Richard Zuckerwar of Grandoe and Carl Helmetag of UVEX were also elected to serve on the board.
Bill Kline, sales and service representative for Peterson Equipment, has announced his retirement after 15 years with the company. Al Binderup will step into the job in July.
Design Workshop announced that Rebecca Zimmermann, a partner in the company’s Denver office, was named one of Arizona’s top 100 women in business by Today’s Arizona Woman magazine. The company also hired Pamela Britton to head its training and professional development program and Glenn Walters to the Vail office.
Burton Snowboards promoted Eric Gaisser to the position of category manager for boots. The company also hired Scott Smith to the position of assistant controller. Red Corp., a Burton subsidiary, named Scott Oliver, Win Fream, David Van Mullen, Stephen Cleary and Matt Richardson to its new operations team.
Steve Poulin became the new national sales manager for Swix Sport USA. He was previously nordic product manager for the company.
Industry Calendar
More details at www.saminfo.com/events
- April 29-May 4: Canada West Ski Areas Assoc. Conf. and Trade Show — Harrison Hot Springs, B.C.
- May 7-10: NSAA National Trade Show and Conference — Palm Springs, Calif.
- May 14-17: Rocky Mountain Lift Association Meeting — Grand Junction, Colo.
- May 15-17: California Ski Industry Association Maint. and Ops. Conf. — Heavenly Ski Resort, Calif.
- May 21-24: Ski Area Vehicle Maintenance Institute Meeting — Grand Junction, Colo.
- May 28-30: Ontario Snow Resorts Assoc. Spring Conf. and Trade Show — TBA
- August 5-8: Midwest Ski Areas Association Conference and Trade Show — Spirit Mountain, Minn.
- August 5-8: ISPO Summer International Trade Fair — Munich, Germany
- August 15-18: Outdoor Retailer Trade Show/Summer — Salt Lake City, Utah
