The Future of Skiing
Several years of court action has prevented Disney from developing skiing facilities at Mineral King, Calif. Developers of Ski Yellowstone in Montana have been tied up in the cumbersome review process for at least four years. After three years or more of on-site planning and substantial upfront investment, the Aspen Skiing Corp. announced withdrawal of plans to develop Early Winters, a proposed destination resort in the state of Washington. Major expansion of a well-established ski area in Arizona is being held up because a group claims the mountain is sacred to the Indians. All Federal Public Lands are being inventoried under the Roadless Area Review Evaluation to determine what remaining lands should or should not be forever designated as wilderness areas.
Is it any wonder that when the NSAA Federal Relations Committee met at Park City, Utah in January 1977, the question was raised, “What really is the Future of Skiing in America?”
In the 1960’s we had 40 or 50 new ski areas opening every year. Now it’s somewhat of a record if we have two or three. Something is obviously wrong when an industry sees increasing consumer demands for its product (in our case, skiing facilities), yet little or nothing is being done or can be done to build the new facilities needed to meet these demands and improve the quality of the skiing experience.
For too many years now, our hands have been tied by environmental groups and a government bureaucracy that requires a costly environmental review process which can take several years just to get a definite answer to proceed with a project or not. Consequently, few investors are willing to get involved.
The problem of how to tackle these problems to get industry growth moving again was turned over to the American Ski Federation, the umbrella organization of ski industry trade associations. A special ad-hoc Committee was appointed, and they retained the services of Garry Mitchell, president of Colorado Ski Country/USA, to come up with some answers. It was agreed that the task was to create a comprehensive and creative public education/information program aimed at four major target audiences:
- All elements of the ski industry.
- The skiing public — how public land issues, escalating risk/insurance, etc. will affect the sport, and how the USSA and other consumer organizations can help.
- The public-at-large — why skiing is an important form of outdoor recreation that takes place in areas of high natural beauty, providing healthful benefits to many citizens in all economic levels, and is an environmentally-sound land use.
- Appointed and elected public officials — why skiing/outdoor commercial recreation deserves their attention, understanding and support.
In order to accomplish these goals, some suggest the ski industry must have a stronger presence in Washington D.C. to bring us in closer contact with elected and appointed public officials. The ski industry should keep these officials informed of our problems, it is suggested, to gain their support for changing the government policies that are creating our problems.
At the same time, we realize we must also get our skiers organized into a consumer advocacy group to make their thoughts about skiing’s problems known to the public officials.
At this writing, the exact details on how to structure such a ski industry effort are still under debate. There is no disagreement within the industry as to what our problems are, and I am sure an agreement within the industry on programs designed to solve these problems will soon be reached.
CAL CONNIFF
The National Convention at Lake Tahoe
The Hyatt Lake Tahoe will be the site of the 15th Annual NSAA National Convention and Trade Show, May 22-26, 1978. This convention facility, located right on the lake, offers some of the most outstanding scenery in North America — Lake Tahoe surrounded by the peaks of the high Sierra.
This year’s program format has been completely revamped and streamlined. The convention will open on the first morning with a keynote address by Mr. Russell Baker, well-known, nationally syndicated columnist for the New York Times. Mr. Baker’s address will be followed by brief remarks by NSAA president Jay Price, and a report by the Executive Director on the association’s goals and programs for the coming year. You will then have the opportunity to participate in open committee meetings of your choice.
All convention seminars are guaranteed to be of interest to everyone. For example, Mr. Somers White, one of the leading financiers in the country, will lecture on “How To Negotiate For Money”. The ski industry insurance situation will be covered in depth. This, and much more that directly relates to your operations, will be covered at the convention.
Again, area operators will have the opportunity to inspect the latest in ski area equipment at the national trade show.
Informality will be the rule rather than the exception. If you want to try your luck at the gaming tables, the Hyatt Casino will give you plenty of opportunity. For one evening, we have rented the entire nearby Ponderosa Ranch for a steak roast and real western “ho-down”. The Ponderosa Ranch is the set used for the filming the Bonanza TV series.
In a few weeks you will receive complete details on the Convention program. Very attractive room rates will prevail. Set aside the dates of May 22-26, 1978 and plan to be at Lake Tahoe with your ski industry compatriots from around the country.
Regional Trade Shows
The Regional Trade Show concept was organized four years ago by NSAA at the request of the ski industry suppliers. The shows allow area operators and their staffs to make direct contact with industry suppliers to see and hear about the latest equipment. Snowmaking and vehicle demonstrations have always been an important part of each show, whenever conditions permit. The idea is to bring the buyers and the sellers together in an informal atmosphere to conduct business. We think the concept works pretty well, and we have always been receptive to change whenever suggestions are made by the majority of our suppliers. Never have we allowed any one product or supplier to dominate the program. It isn’t always easy to arrange the exact time and place for these shows to completely satisfy everyone. We do know that we satisfy most of our suppliers and area operators and this is what counts.
NSAA News Briefs
. . . . . A specially-appointed Task Force Committee that met in early December is now working on recommended terminology for describing area facilities in promotional material, the condition of slopes, trail marking, indemnification clauses, etc. Closer attention must be given to all this now because of trends in the courts to call us to task for claims we make describing our facilities. A committee report with recommendations will be circulated to the industry in the spring.
. . . . . Work is continuing by the NSAA Insurance Committee and Risk Planning Associates to determine the feasibility of a ski industry-owned captive insurance program. A full report with recommendations is expected to be announced at the Lake Tahoe Convention.
. . . . . NSAA was instrumental in getting substantially lower costs for purchasing ammunition for avalanche control work. The next big project is to work with the Forest Service for the adoption of “reasonable standards” for the construction of ammunition storage facilities.
. . . . . Our new TV Public Service Announcement featuring astronaut Wally Schirra is now on stations across the country expounding skiing as a good way to keep physically fit. The audio portion has gone out to over 500 radio stations and both PSA’s carry the endorsement of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
. . . . . A Study of ski industry employment practices is under way. The objective is to develop an easy system for screening the many applicants an area operator must pick from in hiring the right individual for the job. The recommended system that is being developed is designed to save you time and money in the employee selection process.
Presidential Byline
Let’s Get Going
The fall meeting of the Directors of NSAA in Washington, D.C. was distinct in many respects. In addition to being our first ever held in the capital city, it afforded a unique opportunity for a premiere joint meeting with the Directors of SIA. These knowledgeable and dynamic gentlemen are vitally concerned about the problems facing the area operators and are actively engaged in a variety of activities designed to support many of our programs. Thank you, gentlemen, for your graciousness in hosting the event and I am looking forward to further opportunities to continue and expand the exchange of dialogue.
As enjoyable and beneficial as our meeting with the SIA was, it was not however the principal reason for going to Washington. Rather, we were responding to the long-time admonitions of our friend and legal counsel, Mr. George Hartzog. George has been urging us for years to get involved in the legislative process, particularly at the federal level.
Certainly Congress exerts a great deal of control over a significant segment of the ski business. The Directors had made advance arrangements to meet with members of their congressional delegation for the purpose of making known their concerns regarding pending legislation. Unfortunately, the energy filibuster occurred at the time of our visit so some adjustments occurred, but many important contacts were made, and it was the concensus of the Directors that the fall meeting was one of the most productive ever held. In fact, the accomplishments were significant enough to motivate me to write this message to hopefully motivate you to also take some action.
If we want to stay in the ballgame, we had better understand that the politicians hold the power. It then stands to follow that as reasonably intelligent businessmen, we must establish liaison with these policy makers.
I urge you to pursue a course of action that will acquaint you with your elected officials and, equally important, will allow you to acquaint them with issues that concern you and affect our industry. To paraphrase President Kennedy’s famous exhortation: “Ask not what NSAA can do for you, but rather what you can do for yourself and coincidentally NSAA.”
Get involved — Get acquainted — Get going!!
