Before we start the 1965/66 ski season, a review of the summer’s activities is in order. NSAA’s summer work began with the preparation of and the presentation of the Third Annual Convention at Mt. Snow, Vermont, June 11-12. It was our biggest convention yet with a combined SAM Trade Show and Convention attendance of 433.
Sixty-four new members were voted approval and since June the NSAA membership has increased by another 24 areas. Dues for membership are to remain at $75 per year and areas may join NSAA up until January 1, 1966.
The NSAA trailmarking program, in its first year, reported sales to over 100 ski areas in the U. S. and Canada. An increase in the cost of the signs was approved. Cost per sign to members is now $2.25 and $2.50 for the avalanche and legend signs; to non-members it is $2.50 and $3.00.
A main project for the NSAA Legal Committee headed by Perry Williams (Snow Ridge, N. Y.) will be to put together, once and for all, a Skier’s Courtesy Code. The code will be outlined during the winter and will be presented at the June, 1966, convention in Aspen, Colorado. The need for a final code on skier behavior became evident when the existing codes obviously contradicted each other, or presented a narrow viewpoint that would not be acceptable to skiers, ski area operators and other segments of the ski area industry. Chairman Williams has requested all area operators to submit their comments and suggestions for points to be covered in the final draft. It will be coordinated with the European ski industry’s efforts on the same sort of outline.
The NSAA Ski Area Insurance program also came through its first year with flying colors. The year-long study and efforts put into establishing a sound and sensible insurance plan, by an NSAA committee of area operators paid off handsomely. Twenty three member areas were inspected by NSAA skilift engineer Bob Kinney as the first step in qualifying for the insurance. These inspections have created a complete file of data on 41 different kinds of skilifts. It appears word-of-mouth was the biggest promoter of Bob Kinney’s engineering inspections. He saved a couple of areas hundreds of dollars each in correcting deficiencies which, for example, caused frequent sheave-liner replacements. Without exception, the inspected areas praised the inspection.
NSAA’s Insurance Plan Managers, Lukens, Savage & Washburn announced an expansion of the insurance program to include Snow Indemnity Insurance and an employee benefits program especially appealing to smaller ski areas.
A television policy protecting the interests of ski area operators was set forth. Any area scheduling televised ski events this winter should obtain a copy of it from the NSAA office to use as a guideline.
Sponsorship of The American Standards Association Code for Aerial Tramways has been transferred from the Eastern area operators to NSAA as it is a matter of national concern. This code has been the basis of a number of state codes on skilift operation and NSAA will take an active interest in it on behalf of the membership.
DATES SET FOR NSAA CONVENTION, SAM CLINICS AND TRADE SHOWS. Firm dates have been set for the annual NSAA convention and the two SKI AREA MANAGEMENT CLINICS and TRADE SHOWS. The NSAA convention and the Western SAM CLINIC and TRADE SHOW will be held in Aspen, Colorado, June 7-9, utilizing the facilities of the Aspen Institute. The convention, clinic and trade show follow right after the U. S. Ski Association convention in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, June 2-5. Area personnel traveling to the Aspen meeting have the opportunity of taking in the USAA convention on the same trip with little wasted time. Facilities at the new Jackson Hole Ski Area will also be open for inspection by convention guests. The Eastern SAM CLINIC and TRADE SHOW has been scheduled for Lake Placid, New York, May 23-26. The clinic and trade show will use the facilities of the Lake Placid Club.
SKI INDUSTRY NOTES:
FRED RICHARDSON, Wyoming graduate, has been named director of the ski school at OKEMO MOUNTAIN, Ludlow, Vermont. . . NORMAN LeTARTE, former director of ski schools at BENJAMIN HILL and MOUNT WACHUSETT, Massachusetts, will open a ski shop at ROUND TOP, Vermont. . . RIVERTON IMPORTS, INC., has been appointed sales representatives for TICKET WICKET, the wire loop attachment for ski lift tickets. . . JUNIOR BOUNOUS is a new director of the TIMPHAVEN ski area near Provo, Utah. . . DANIEL J. LEARY, former manager of OKEMO in Vermont, has been named general manager of the ENCHANTED MOUNTAIN CORPORATION in Jackman, Maine, the state’s newest major ski area.
Sealed bids will be received at the Forest Supervisor’s Office, Bitterroot National Forest, Hamilton, Montana, until 2 p.m., Thursday, March 31, 1966, for a permit to construct a winter sports area on Lost Trail Pass. The contemplated minimum investment would be $1 million. Proposals will be accepted until January 31, 1966, for the development and operation of a winter sports area located on the east side of Mt. Hood, Oregon. Details may be obtained from Forest Supervisor Paul E. Neff, Mt. Hood National Forest, Box 5241, Portland, Oregon.
PETE EYRAUD, Spout Springs, Oregon, is president of the Pacific Northwest Ski Area Association. . . The NORWAY BASIN ski area, Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, has changed its name to TYROL BASIN (no change in management). . . BARRY CORBET of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is now a vice president and stock holder in SUMMIT FILMS. ROGER BROWN, president, said Corbet will operate a complete branch in Jackson. . . GEORGE L. GOOD of Altoona, Pennsylvania, has been elected president of the BLUE KNOB DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. TOM SMITH has replaced DICK GEORGI as general manager. GEORGI resigned. . . WENATCHEE MOUNTAIN, INC., has been awarded the permit for the development of the MISSION RIDGE ski area near Wenatchee, Washington. . . DAVE F. KEISER, formerly a timber staff man with the U. S. Forest Service in Rogue River, Oregon, has been named manager of the MT. ASHLAND, Oregon, ski area. . . HOPKINS ENGINEERING, INC., of Contoocook, New Hampshire, has acquired patterns, plans, inventory and construction details to enable them to produce Roebling ski lifts. HOPKINS is equipped to handle complete lift jobs. The company has been in the business of erecting lifts for seven years. . . SADDLEBACK MOUNTAIN CORPORATION president E. CARTER MILLIKEN of Portland, Maine, has announced the sale of Saddleback to RICHARD BERRY of Portland and RICHARD ARNZEN of Bath, Maine. They have formed RANGLEY-SADDLEBACK MOUNTAIN SKI AREA, INC., and plan major expansion. . . The BREBNER SUPPLY CORPORATION has discontinued use of the name “Skimont” and will refer to their slope conditioner as simply, SLOPE CONDITIONER. . . DONALD C. STEFFENS has been named advertising and promotion manager of the MADONNA MOUNTAIN CORPORATION, Jeffersonville, Vermont. He was with CBS for 12 years before taking his new position. . . FRED W. BOCKS, former manager of CABERFAE in Michigan, has been appointed manager of MT. ASCUTNEY in Vermont. He is a former president of the Central Ski Area Operators Association. . . C. R. (CHET) ANDERSON is manager of the new PURGATORY ski area in Colorado. . . LES OUTZS, an assistant for many years in the SUN VALLEY, Idaho, ski school has been promoted to the position of mountain manager. . . JOHN S. ANDERSON, a 1950 graduate of Michigan Tech, is the new general manager of OKEMO, Ludlow, Vermont.
