Summer operations extend the value of the mountain beyond winter. This department covers summer attractions, warm-weather activities, trail development, adventure-park operations, staffing, and guest-experience planning—offering ideas and insights for resorts growing their year-round business.
SUMMER OPS ARTICLES
View the most recent articles on Summer Ops from SAM magazine.-
July 2026The Summer Discoverability Gap
New research measures how often ski areas surface when travelers ask AI chatbots about summer, what else chatbots are recommending, and how ski areas can improve their standing. Planning a trip with AI is now mainstream, especially among younger travelers. In Klook’s 2026 Travel Pulse, a surve New research measures how often ski areas surface when travelers ask AI chatbots about summer,...
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July 2026Paths to Success: Adventure Trails
Trails designed with kids and families in mind are proving to be strong investments for ski areas in both winter and summer. Ski areas large and small are newly and keenly focused on family-friendly fun, particularly hiking and skiing trails that appeal to the young and the young at heart. With so Trails designed with kids and families in mind are proving to be strong investments for ski areas...
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July 2026Summer Gets Selective
As ski areas refine their year-round strategies, operators are investing in lines of summer business that fit their markets—and abandoning those that don’t. After a winter that played out unevenly across North America—early melt outs in some regions, extreme cold in others, and shifting v As ski areas refine their year-round strategies, operators are investing in lines of summer business that...
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January 2026Global Trends in Summer Ops
An expert look at what summer travelers want and what’s working at mountain destinations worldwide. As traveler expectations evolve— shaped by climate realities, new technologies, and the desire for deeper, more meaningful experiences—the summer season has become, globally, one of the most An expert look at what summer travelers want and what’s working at mountain destinations worldwide.
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July 2025Greasing the Gears
When the necessary elements align, downhill bike parks can take off. In the past decade, mountain biking’s growing popularity has pushed many ski areas to add it to their roster of summer activities. Yet, while some bike parks flourish, others quickly peter out, with resort operators citing h When the necessary elements align, downhill bike parks can take off.
SUMMER OPS SUPPLIER GUIDE
Peruse our top Summer Ops Camp vendors
online with our Summer Ops Supplier Guide. Choosing your next summer attraction or service is made easier with company and product descriptions, videos, testimonials, and key contact information.
SUMMER OPS CAMP
Join us September 2–4, 2025, at the iconic Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada, for an unforgettable three-day experience packed with insight, innovation, and inspiration. SAM’s fourteenth Summer Ops Camp will bring together mountain resort professionals for dynamic education, powerful networking, and immersive hands-on learning—all focused on shaping the next chapter of summer operations. Learn more here.
NEWS
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Faces and Places
Inside “Summer Ops Camp” at Whistler Blackcomb
SAM Magazine—Whistler, British Columbia, Sept. 9, 2025—The fourteenth annual SAM Summer Ops Camp convened Sept. 2-4, at the world-class indoor and outdoor classroom of Whistler Blackcomb for three days of immersive learning, forward-thinking discussions, and genuine connection. A full day o SAM Magazine—Whistler, British Columbia, Sept. 9, 2025—The fourteenth annual SAM Summer Ops Camp convened Sept. 2-4, at the world-class indoor and...
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SAM Headline News
New Board-Game Themed Experience Planned at Les Sybelles
SAM Magazine—Fontcouverte-la Toussuire, France, April 22, 2025— Les Sybelles, one of Europe’s largest ski areas, is working with French company MND to develop a new, board game-themed attraction based on Trek 12, an adventure and mountaineering board game. The year-round experience will inclu SAM Magazine—Fontcouverte-la Toussuire, France, April 22, 2025— Les Sybelles, one of Europe’s largest ski areas, is working with French company MND...
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SAM Headline News
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 fe 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...
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SAM Headline News
Red Mountain Resort Begins Construction of New Bike Park
SAM Magazine—Rossland, B.C., July 29, 2024—Red Mountain Resort has begun construction on the first phase of the new Red Mountain Bike Park. The resort partnered with Gravity Logic to design and develop the multimillion-dollar lift-accessed bike park. Red Mountain CEO and owner Howard Katkov s SAM Magazine—Rossland, B.C., July 29, 2024—Red Mountain Resort has begun construction on the first phase of the new Red Mountain Bike Park. The...
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SAM Headline News
Hot Fourth of July Weather, and Business, for U.S. Ski Areas
SAM Magazine—Cambridge, Vt., July 17, 2024—While it’s hard for many to believe we’ve passed the 4th of July mile marker, the classic (and historically lucrative) summer holiday has now come and gone, leaving many operators grateful for water-based amenities and a continued interest in live m SAM Magazine—Cambridge, Vt., July 17, 2024—While it’s hard for many to believe we’ve passed the 4th of July mile marker, the classic (and...
ADVENTURE PARK INSIDER
Our sister publication, Adventure Park Insider, has tons of content to help you navigate the aerial adventure side of your business. We've compiled this content into various park departments so you can quickly find articles on specific topics. View all of the park departments here.
