SAM Magazine—Avon, Colo., Oct. 30, 2016—A group of ski and snowboard instructors at Beaver Creek resort are looking to form a union, as early as this winter. If they are successful, the union would be the first of its kind in the United States. The instructors have asked the Communication Workers of American (CWA) in Denver to help them...

SAM Magazine—McCall, Idaho, Oct. 28, 2015—Brundage Mountain Resort is offering free lift tickets for its beginner chairlift this season in hopes of attracting newcomers of all ages. “We want to give people a free sample of the Brundage Mountain experience because we’re confident that they’ll fall in love with the sp...

SAM Magazine—Garden Valley, Idaho, Oct. 28, 2015—Idaho’s X-Sports Tubing Hill is now under the ownership of Jason and Kelly Sawin. X-Sports is home to 900-foot long tubing lanes ranging from beginner to advanced. The facility also has 15 miles of Nordic ski trails. The couple, who also own CHS Snowmakers, will be moving to Garden ...

SAM Magazine—Arapahoe Basin, Colo., Oct. 28, 2015—Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin will open for the 2015-16 winter season Oct. 29, matching the plan of neighbor Loveland Ski Area. “The recent cold weather and currently snowy conditions allow for a tremendous start to the season,” said Alan Henceroth, Arapahoe’s CEO....

SAM Magazine—Georgetown, Colo., Oct. 27, 2015—Loveland Ski Area will be the first resort in Colorado to open for the 2015-16 season on Thursday. That is, unless Arapahoe Basin gets open before then. “A winter storm delivered 17.5 inches of natural snow last week and brought the cold temperatures our snowmakers had been waiting ...

Jiminy's 12-acre installation can produce 2.3 megawatts. Photo courtesy of jiminypeak.com. The 12-acre installation located near the base Jiminy Peak encompasses 7,500 solar panels, making it the largest of its kind in the Northeast. The solar panels can produce 2.3 megawatts; combined with the resort’s 1.5 MW wind turbine,...

SAM Magazine—Boise, Idaho, Oct. 27, 2015—The board of directors at Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area has chosen Brad Wilson to be the resort’s new general manager. Wilson has worked in a variety of management, marketing, sales and master planning roles over the past 30-plus yeas in the ski resort and hospitality industries. He ...

SAM Magazine—Ishpeming, Mich., Oct 26, 2015—The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame has chosen seven pioneers to join the Hall as part of the Class of 2015. They are: freestyle skiing world champions Genia Fuller and Bob Salerno; David Ingemie, president and CEO of Snowsports Industries America (SIA); former Skiing magazine publisher He...

The annual Toronto Snow Show, Oct. 15-18, 2015, at the International Centre, helped kick-start the upcoming Canadian winter ski season—as well as the North American consumer show season. Featuring a mix of vendors, local retailers and 40+ resorts from across North America, thousands of consumers flooded the trade show floor looking to purchas...

SAM Magazine—Hancock, Mass., Oct. 22, 2015—The economics of the ski industry, the minimum wage wave and the imperative to create increasing numbers of new skiers and riders has created an instructor shortage for many resorts across America. The Fairbank Group is tackling this problem by ramping up its efforts at all three of its resorts...

SAM Magazine—Squamish, B.C., Oct. 21, 2015—Plans to build a $3.5-billion four-season ski resort northeast of Squamish, B.C., face some key Provincial decisions this fall. The proposed resort on Mount Garibaldi’s Brohm Ridge could include 124 ski runs, three gondolas, 18 chairlifts and three interconnected villages, with 5,723 h...

SAM Magazine—Seward, Alaska, Oct. 21, 2015—While ski resorts across North America are slowly starting to open, the staff at Silverton Mountain Guides Heli Skiing scored powder turns and faceshots this week at their new base camp in Seward, Alaska. The new location complements Silverton's Colorado operation. “El Gordo [El Ni...

SAM Magazine—Pinkham Notch, N.H., Oct. 20, 2015—Wildcat Mountain was able to fire up snowmaking operations last Saturday, thanks to a cold weekend in which daytime temperatures hovered in the 20s and overnight dipped into the teens. The resort continued to make snow “non-stop” through Monday, according to its local ABC affil...

SAM Magazine—Victoria, Australia, Oct. 20, 2015—Australia’s Mount Hotham ski resort is investing AU$ 4.4 million in snowmaking infrastructure for 2016, the single biggest investment in snowmaking at the resort since its 2008 partnership with the government to install the Loch snowmaking dam, said GM Belinda Trembath. With the e...

SAM Magazine—Saint-Sauveur, Que., Oct. 19, 2015—Hot on the heels of Killington and Sunday River opening in the United States, Quebec’s Mont Saint-Sauveur is now the first resort open in Canada. Thanks to cold temperatures over the weekend and with the help of 16 hours of snowmaking, the hill opened today at noon, and will close...

SAM Magazine—Wildwood, Mo., Oct. 19, 2015—Peak Resorts, Inc. is arranging a $15 million line of credit to fund acquisitions and improvements at its current properties. The line of credit, being offered by the Royal Banks of Missouri, allows Peak Resorts to increase the limit to $20 million if needed. “This line of credit will a...

SAM Magazine—Fairfield, Idaho, Oct. 16, 2015—If you’ve ever wanted to own a ski resort, then today might be lucky day. Idaho’s Soldier Mountain Ski Area, once owned by actor Bruce Willis, is currently for sale at the low, low price of $149,000. The not-for-profit ski area currently owes money to the bank for three year&rs...

SAM Magazine—Burnsville. Minn., Oct. 16, 2015—Buck Hill Ski Area, founded in 1954 by Chuck and Nancy Stone, has been purchased by current general manager Don McClure, along with partners David Solner and his wife Corrine. McClure has been involved with Buck Hill for more than 40 years. David Solner has spent the past 23 years as a le...

SAM Magazine—Wrightwood, Calif., Oct. 16, 2015—Mountain High in Wrightwood, Calif., and Snow Valley in Running Spring, Calif., are offering reciprocal lift privileges this winter. Passholders at each area are entitled to three days of free riding at the other resort, excluding blackout holidays. “We’re excited about offer...

SAM Magazine—Denver, Colo., Oct. 16, 2015—While western mountain resorts just wrapped up their third consecutive record-breaking summer season, winter bookings are showing weakness for the first time in more than three years, according to Denver-based DestiMetrics. DestiMetrics draws its data from approximately 290 property managemen...

SAM Magazine—Toronto, Ontario, Oct 16, 2015—In the yearly battle to be the first resort to open in North America, Killington, Vt., is gunning for the top. The Beast of the East has targeted Sunday, Oct.18 as its opening day, hours ahead of rival Sunday River, Maine. During a Ski Vermont media reception on Oct. 15 in Toronto, Ont., he...

SAM Magazine—Bethel, Maine, Oct. 14, 2015—On the heels of a relatively warm early fall across much of the country, Maine’s Sunday River Ski Resort plans to open for the 2015-16 season on Monday, Oct. 19. If all goes according to plan, it will be the first resort in North America to open this season. The current forecast for wes...

SAM Magazine—Washington, D.C., Oct 14, 2015—More than 120 ski and snowboard resorts have signed up to take part in a Guinness Book of World Records biggest-lesson-ever attempt in an effort to generate press coverage and a slew of newcomers to skiing and snowboarding. The event will take place at 10 a.m. local time Jan. 8, 2016 at res...

SAM Magazine—Turin, N.Y., Oct. 9, 2015—The mother and son duo of Cyndy Sisto and Nick Mir have taken ownership of Snow Ridge Ski Resort. The Adriondack resort was previously owned by Russell Horn. “Snow Ridge has a rich history of providing exceptional skiing and snowboarding for central and northern New York families,” s...

A view from the top of Killington looking down Superstar, site of the November 2016 Audi FIS Ski World Cup women's races. SAM Magazine—Killington, Vt., Oct. 9, 2015—It’s official, Killington Resort will host Audi FIS Ski World Cup races Nov. 26-27, 2016, on its Superstar trail. The first World Cup in eastern U.S. in...

A view from the top of Killington looking down Superstar, site of the proposed November 2016 Audi FIS Ski World Cup women's races. SAM Magazine—Oct. 2, 2015—The “Beast of the East” is one step closer to hosting an Audi FIS Ski World Cup in 2016, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in the eastern U.S. in...

SAM Magazine—Boulder, Colo., Oct. 1, 2015—There are still several hours left to join the Guinness World Record ski and ride lesson attempt. With 103 resorts signed on by mid-afternoon, organizers hope to reach 120 by tonight’s midnight deadline. “Given the high potential for publicity and the very low risk, why wouldn&rsq...

SAM Magazine—Boulder, Colo., Oct. 1, 2015—Resorts have until midnight tonight to register for the attempt to establish a Guinness World Record for the largest mass-participation ski and snowboard lessons. More than 80 resorts have already signed up for what may be the year’s greatest PR and photo op in winter sports, and others ar...

SAM Magazine—Bondville, Vt., Sept. 30, 2015—Bill Nupp has been promoted from interim manager to president and chief operating officer of Stratton Mountain Resort, effective immediately. “After an extensive nationwide search and deliberate process, the Intrawest leadership team is proud to promote from within and have Bill Nupp ...

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., Sept. 30, 2015—Total mountain revenue for Vail Resorts (VR) increased 11.6 percent to $1.4 billion for the 2015 fiscal year, fueled largely by a 10.1 percent increase in season pass and ticket prices and a 6.5 percent increase in total skier visits. The results also include one month of peak season operat...

SAM Magazine—Aspen, Colo., Sept. 30, 2015—Chamonix’s Mont-Blanc Valley is now part of the Mountain Collective 2015/16 season pass program. Chamonix is the Collective’s first European resort, and the fourth international destination, joining Thredbo, Australia; Hakuba Valley, Japan; and Valley Nevado, Chile. The Collective no...

SAM Magazine—Kelowna, B.C., Sept. 30, 2015—According to CBC.ca, Crystal Mountain, a day ski area in West Kelowna, B.C., will not open for the 2015-16 winter season. In March 2014, one of Crystal’s chairlifts incurred a deropement, and three chairs fell to the ground. Four guests were taken to the hospital. As a result, the BC S...

SAM Magazine—Boulder, Colo., Sept 29, 2015—In the never-ending debate over which resort is the best, Ski magazine released its 2016 Top 10 list of Western North American resorts today. The publication’s readers voted Whistler Blackcomb, B.C., as number one for the second straight year. The resort is celebrating its 50th anniversar...

SAM Magazine—Woodbury, Conn., Sept. 29, 2015—There are only two days left to enter SAM’s 11th Annual Terrain Park contest, sponsored by Burton Snowboards. The magazine aims to showcase the most unique terrain park features and innovative park contests from last season. Start sorting through your creations and submit your entry for the feature and/or events categories.

Mount Sunapee's Bruce McCloy and Jay Gamble proudly display their "trophy" on a Pats Peak-mobile. SAM Magazine—Newbury, N.H., Sept. 29, 2015—Golf lore is filled with a number of classic slugfests played out on the greens, like the 1949 Motor City Open between Cary Middlecoff and Lloyd Mangrum, or the 1981 Millio...

The annual ISKINY-PSAA Expo Sept. 21-23, 2015, at Lake Placid, N.Y., attracted more than 370 ski resort, vendor, and guest attendees from across North America. Two major themes dominated the gathering: the guest experience and risk management. Before diving into business, though, the fun kicked off with a tour of the operational areas at Whitefa...

The near-record turnout at this year's New England Summit Sept. 15-17 showed how much excitement there is in the region as resorts anticipate what El Nino will bring—including the possibility the Northeast is looking at another record-breaking snowfall year. Show organizer Bo Bigelow of the Ski Maine Association said the Summit drew 290 s...

SAM Magazine—New Hampshire, Sept. 21, 2015—It’s been a busy year with multi-resort companies and independent ski areas rolling out new pass partnerships (see Blue Pages, SAM Sept. issue). And now, it’s about to become even busier with the entry of the MiniMIX pass in New Hampshire. Available for only $199, the pass includ...

The continued growth in summer resort operations lured more than 160 attendees representing 50 resorts, along with 34 vendor partners, from across North America to SAM’s 6th annual Summer Ops Camp at Camelback Resort, Pa., Sept. 9-11. The three-day conference addressed several aspects of “The Serious Business of Summer Fun” and provided several opportunities to demo a variety of summer activities and different ways to program them.

SAM MAGAZINE—Zanesfield, Ohio, Sept. 18, 2015—The lodge at Mad River Mountain caught fire and was destroyed Wednesday night. The resort was closed at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. There is currently no information as to the cause of the fire. Reports indicate that part of the A-frame brick and mortar building i...

SAM MAGAZINE—Cortland, N.Y., Sept 16, 2015—Greek Peak is purchasing Toggenburg. During a press conference at Toggenburg today, former owner Jim Hickey and the new owners—who are also co-owners of Greek Peak Mountain Resort—Marc Stemerman and John Meier, addressed the details. Greek Peak Mountain Resort owners Marc Stemerm...

SAM Magazine—Taos, N.M., Sept. 16, 2015—Taos Ski Valley is increasing its minimum wage to $10 an hour, making it one of the higher paying resorts in the country for entry-level employees. As one of the largest private employers in the state, the resort decided to increase the minimum wage to ensure it retains and recruits the best em...

SAM Magazine—Mt. Hood, Ore., Sept. 16, 2015—Mt. Hood Meadows has appointed three employees, Steve Warila, Jeremy Riss and Matt Troskey, to new vice president roles in an effort to restructure and provide year-round recreational and hospitality experiences. Meadows COO Jake Bolland said, “This reorganization is designed to prope...

SAM Magazine—Toronto, Ont., Sept. 16, 2015—The C.J. Group of Companies has acquired the media brands of Toronto-based SBC Media. The acquisition includes eight magazines, all SBC websites, social media accounts and assets, which will now operate under C.J. Oyster Publishing, a division of the C.J. Group. The titles and brands now own...

SAM Magazine—Denver, Colo., Sept., 15, 2015—Intrawest Resort Holdings Inc., reported a major financial improvement in fiscal 2015, increasing revenues by 14 percent and cutting its net loss for the year by 96 percent. The improvements were due to the addition of 100 percent ownership of Blue Mountain, Ont., and the restructuring and ref...

SAM Magazine—Wildwood, Mo., Sept., 15, 2015—Peak Resorts Inc, reduced its spending for its fiscal first quarter, ending July 31, 2015, helping to reduce its net loss to $7.1 million, compared to a net loss of $8.2 million during the previous year’s first quarter. The company cited lower interest expense for much of the improvement...

SAM Magazine—Woodbury, Conn., Sept. 15, 2015—Friends and associates of Jan Leonard, who died suddenly on Aug. 26, will host an evening dedicated to the aerial lift pioneer at the Deer Valley Resort Snow Park Lodge on Oct. 14. The event will recognize Leonard’s achievements in lift engineering and manufacturing. A cocktail receptio...

SAM Magazine—Teton Village, Wyo., Sept. 15, 2015—Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) has completed its new employee housing units, located in the town of Jackson. The three-building complex, which can house 94 workers, is the first of its kind for the Jackson Hole community. “JHMR is proud to be able to provide much needed hous...

SAM Magazine—Blue River, B.C., Sept. 15, 2015—Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing has named Tim Foster, former GM of Beaver Valley Ski Club and Mount Baldy Ski Area, as its new GM. With more than 25 years of experience in the ski industry, Foster’s key priorities will be to create strong guests experiences and concentrate on long-range...

SAM Magazine—Donner Summit, Calif., Sept. 14, 2015—Sugar Bowl Resort has named Greg Dallas, former COO of Mammoth and June Mountain, as its new CEO. Dallas will lead all aspects of resort operations, including Sugar Bowl Resort, Royal Gorge Cross Country, the Village at Sugar Bowl real estate, and homeowner services. Dallas succeeds ...

SAM Magazine—Nederland, Colo., Sept. 14, 2015—Brent Tregaskis, former general manager at Big Bear Mountain Resorts, is now the GM at Eldora Mountain Resort, Colo. The news comes just one week after Chris Riddle, vice president of marketing, announced his retirement after 41 years with sister resort Snow Summit. “The opportunity...

SAM Magazine—New York, N.Y., Sept. 14, 2015—More than 4,000 ski resorts, brands, and athletes signed up for .ski domain extensions in just the first 10 hours that it became publically available last week, according to officials at StartingDot, the Internet registry that started the campaign three years ago. Now, less than one week af...

SAM Magazine—Donnelly, Idaho, Sept. 14, 2015—This season, skiers and riders at Tamarack Resort will have access to an additional 100 acres of in-bounds, hike-to terrain that hasn’t been open since 2009. Tamarack will reopen the Wildwood trail system on the northern section of the mountain when natural snow conditions allow. The ar...

SAM Magazine—Breckenridge, Colo., Sept. 1, 2015—Breckenridge residents will vote Nov. 3 on whether to impose a new 4.5 percent admissions (i.e., lift ticket) tax that would be used as long-term funding for parking and transit projects. The Breckenridge Town Council announced the ballot measure in July, but has since negotiated with Vail...

SAM Magazine—Aug. 28, 2015—A memorial service for Jan Leonard, the principal in Skytrac lifts and former president of Doppelmayr who died Aug. 26, will take place Sept. 1. In a prepared statement, Kay Leonard and family said they "would like everyone to know that a celebration of Jan Leonard’s life has been scheduled for T...

SAM Magazine—Aug. 26, 2015—Jan Leonard, a principal in Skytrac lifts and former president of Doppelmayr, died this morning. His Skytrac partners, David Metivier, Alan Hepner, and Carl Skylling, have presented the following open letter to the industry: To all our friends, industry patrons and trade partners, It is with great sad...

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Aug. 26, 2015—Registration for SAM’s sixth annual Summer Ops Camp—a series of seminars, workshops, and site visits that explore the state of the art in summer operations—closes Monday, Aug. 31. A few spots are still available for the camp, Sept. 9-11 at Camelback, Pa. Summer Ops Camp is a...

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Aug. 20, 2015—A number of ski associations in the U.S. are plotting to pull off the “world’s largest ski and snowboard lesson” Jan. 8, 2016, with the goal of having it officially recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The goal is also to use this stunt as a kickoff event for Learn...

SAM Magazine—Denver, Aug. 19, 2015—Summer lodging revenue is up 14 percent and occupancy is up 8 percent compared to last summer, according to data collected among lodging properties at 19 western mountain destination resorts in six states. In July alone, revenue was up 13.8 percent and occupancy 7.9 percent, according to DestiMetrics, ...

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., Aug. 13, 2015—It knows how long skiers and riders have been standing in a lift line, and now it has the capability of giving them a head’s up about lengthy wait times. Vail Resorts’ latest EpicMix app addition, EpicMix Time, will give users access to real-time, up-to-the-minute wait times. The...