L TO R: Tom Corcoran — Waterville Valley, New Hampshire/ Chuck Lewis — Copper Mountain, Colorado/ Darcy Brown — Aspen, Colorado/ Preston Smith — Killington, Vermont/ Dave Carto — Snow Trails, Ohio/ Steve Bradley — Winter Park, Colorado/ Bill Riley — Mt. Mansfield, Stowe, Vermont/ Carl Reynolds — Multorpor, Oregon (not in view)/ Jay Price — Boreal, California/ William Norton — Cannon Mountain, New Hampshire/ Cal Conniff — NSAA Executive Director/ Channing Murdock — Butternut Basin, Massachusetts/ Frank Snyder — Stratton Mountain, Vermont/ Pete Seibert — Vail Associates — Colorado/ Ray Johnson — Alpine Meadows — California/ Hugh Killebrew — Heavenly Valley, California/ Stu Campbell — Track, Inc. Minnesota/ Rick Coker — Cataloochee, North Carolina/ Phil Gravink — Gore Mountain, New York/ and Ed Schenck — Big Mountain, Montana. Those Directors missing from the photo: Richard Bass — Snowbird, Utah,/ James Ferrara — Thiokol Corporation, Utah/ Bob Loughrey — Bogus Basin, Idaho/ and Roy Parker — Sierra Blanca, New Mexico.
Working for the Industry
The NSAA Board of Directors truly represents a cross-section of the ski area industry in the United States. Board members, from all regions of the country, represent ski area operations of all sizes — from large destination resorts to weekend and day areas. There is also one member who represents the interests of the ski industry suppliers.
The Directors are a hard-working group who give freely of their time on issues and programs which are of common interest to ski area operators from Maine to California. Many head up working committees such as marketing, insurance, federal relations, taxes, B.77 lift standards, and ski safety.
Usually held three times a year, Board Meetings take place at the Annual Convention in May, in the early Fall, and at a ski area location in January. Meeting locations vary; our next meeting will take place this fall in Washington, D.C. when board members will meet with elected officials to discuss issues of concern to the ski industry.
It should always be remembered that the Board represents you — the NSAA members. If you ever have any recommendations on issues or programs being dealt with by NSAA, we urge you to contact the Directors in your region.
The National Ski Areas Association has member ski areas in 37 states and several foreign countries. Practically every major supplier of goods and services to the industry is an Associate Member.
New President
Jay Price, from Boreal, California, was elected President of NSAA at the Annual Convention held at The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia, May 15-18, 1977. Jay succeeds Bill Norton from Cannon Mountain, New Hampshire, who finished his two-year term.
Jay has served as a Director on the NSAA Board for the past seven years. He has the experience and qualifications to be a strong and capable leader of the ski industry’s national trade association.
Skier’s Courtesy Code
NSAA is embarking on a Public Information Safety Program to better inform the skiing public of their responsibilities on the slopes. You may recall that about twelve years ago the National Skier’s Courtesy Code was developed listing the nine “Rules Of The Slopes”. This Courtesy Code was developed by NSAA and supported by USSA, PSIA and NSPS.
Large four-color posters with cartoon characters depicting the nine “Rules Of The Slopes” were widely distributed to ski areas across the nation. A movie was also produced on the Safety Code at that time, and all of the promotional material was paid for by Humble Oil.
The NSAA Board has agreed that there is a real need for us to update this program, and we intend to do just that.
Cause for Concern
The details of the June 9, Jury Verdict in Vermont and the crucial ruling on the case by Judge Wynn Underwood are aptly covered in the editorial in this issue of SAM.
In 1951, a Federal District Court Judge in the Wright vs. Mt. Mansfield Case, ruled “that a skier taking to the slopes assumes certain inherent risks for which ski area operators could not be held liable.” For the past 25 years this landmark decision has been vitally important for attorney’s defending ski areas in cases involving the downhill skier. Now the doctrine for assumption of risk has been seriously challenged in the recent ruling by Judge Underwood.
NSAA is well aware of the details of this case and the effect the recent ruling could have on the ski area insurance marketplace. While we realize that every ski area operator has good reason to be deeply concerned, we don’t believe the industry should become alarmed. The case is being appealed in the Supreme Court in Vermont and every effort is being made to present the strongest possible case to reverse the lower court ruling. In all probability NSAA may become involved in the appeal as a “friend of the court”.
Marketing Activities
Our new 60-second TV Public Service Announcement featuring Astronaut Captain Wally Schirra was screened for the first time at the National Convention in May. The TV spot shows people taking lessons and having fun and Wally Schirra skiing and saying that skiing is healthy, fun, and one of the best ways to keep in good physical condition. The PSA will be circulated to TV stations nationally for screening next fall and winter. It will be seen by millions of viewers and is designed to get new skiers to your area. While Captain Wally Schirra donated his time to make the TV film clip, NSAA paid $11,000 for production and distribution. This is one of our best investments to reach millions of people telling them about our sport.
Ski Industries America has produced a new feature film called, “SKIING IS BELIEVING”. In addition to the film being made available to ski areas, shops, etc. for their own marketing programs, the film will be distributed to TV stations, schools and clubs. This first class film production is designed to entice new skiers to try the sport. While NSAA is sharing in the distribution costs of the new film, SIA totally paid for the production.
Federal Relations
The important issue of S.1338, the Lease Reform Bill, introduced by Senator Floyd K. Haskell (D-Colorado), has consumed the time of many in the industry over the past several months. We recommend that you read the article by Deedee Corradini in this edition of SAM. NSAA’s position on the Bill was submitted in testimony at hearings held in Washington before the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Resources of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on May 26, 1977.
With developments on this legislation rapidly taking place, it is impossible to give you a completely updated report in this column. We can assure you we are keeping on top of this important issue for the benefit of all members operating on National Forest Lands.
Possibly by the time you are reading this column an amended version of S.1338 may have passed the Senate. Hopefully Senator Haskell will have taken into consideration the adoption of our proposed amendments. There are many indications that the Bill will not get such speedy action in the House and may die in this session of Congress. If this does happen it is a near certainty that Senator Haskell will introduce another Bill next year when he will be running for re-election in Colorado.
NSAA has never denied that a Lease Reform Bill is not needed — five years ago we introduced our own Bill. We believe that ultimately a Lease Reform Bill will be passed and it appears that each time around we get a little closer to legislation that could be acceptable to the industry.
Survey Forms Out
By now ski area operators have received survey forms for our Annual Economic Analysis of North American Ski Areas conducted for NSAA by the Graduate School, Business Research Division at the University of Colorado. Please return your questionnaire for this important study.
This report is invaluable to NSAA in our work with Federal Legislators and officials. It is also useful for any ski area operator wishing to compare the financial aspects of his operation with industry norms.
For the first time this year we will be gathering data on insurance premiums being paid nationally to assist us in better evaluating the ski area insurance market. If you have not yet done so, please cooperate by returning your questionnaire today. Respondents will receive a complimentary copy of the report.
Wage and Salary Survey
We have a limited supply of extra Wage and Salary Surveys. Members wishing extra copies can have them simply by contacting NSAA. This year’s report, based on rates paid for all ski area job categories last season, is the most comprehensive survey thus far.
National Trade Show
The above photo shows a portion of the NSAA Trade Show exhibits at the Homestead, in Hot Springs, Virginia. This was one of the largest trade shows ever conducted by NSAA. In May 1978 the Annual Convention will be held at the Hyatt Lake Tahoe.
NSAA will conduct three regional on-the-slopes trade shows this coming winter. With locations to be announced soon these shows will be in the West, Central, and Eastern regions of the country.
In Appreciation
The NSAA Board recently accepted the resignation of Stuart Campbell, formerly with the Buck Hill Ski Area in Minnesota. Stu was an active member of the NSAA Board for the past seven years. His unexpired term is expected to be filled by a ski area operator from the Central Region of the country at the next Director’s Meeting in September.
We Need Your Support
NSAA is involved in many important issues and projects which are of direct concern and benefit to every ski area operator in the nation. In this age of consumerism and ever-increasing government involvement in the affairs of business, a strong national ski industry trade association is absolutely essential in dealing effectively with the issues.
NSAA is meeting the challenges and getting the job done for you. We appreciate the support of ski area members in 37 states and we ask for your continued support in the year ahead. NSAA can only continue to be strong and effective when we have every ski area in the nation as a dues paying member.
