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College Subscriptions
The next generation of leaders are SAM readers. SAM offers discounted magazine subscriptions for college students and professors teaching industry-related courses. Explore the options below or reach out to karolyn@saminfo.com if your program has different needs. 50% Off Individual Subscriptions College students interested in subscribing to SAM magazine receive 50% off an annual subscription. This includes: 6 print issues, delivered in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Unlimited access to the digital archives, and early access to magazine content. Discounts on SAM programs and events. Shipping Location Price with Discount United States $32....
For businesses that earn the bulk of their revenue from snow and cold weather, is it possible to remain profitable without either of the two? While mountain resorts are bustling during the winter months, summer tourism can also be a lucrative venture. To fully capitalize on warm-season business, multi-use facilities in key locations are a vital par...
SAMMY Leadership Award 2021 honorees embody many of the mountain resort industry’s hallmarks: creativity, work ethic, entrepreneurship, selflessness, and involvement. The class of 2021 includes: Katie Brown, an involved mentor, promoter, and champion for female leaders; Robert McClendon, a coach and jack-of-all-trades; Jon Schaefer, an innovator ...
Running a ski area is like operating 20 different businesses in one. It takes an amazing variety of highly skilled passionate people to run a ski area. From snowmakers to patrollers, instructors to guest services, marketing, accounting, lift ops, maintenance—the list goes on. Aspenware CEO Rob Clark always says that running a ski area is like op...
CUTTER'S CAMP REGISTRATION Since 2003, Cutter’s Camp has fostered an open dialogue between terrain park managers, staff, industry experts, and suppliers from around the world. The week-long spring program for terrain park professionals features on-hill and classroom workshops, with a continued focus on the business of terrain parks, risk mana...
March 2025 2025 Groomer Report New technology plays an increasingly large role in modern snowcat development and operation. When we break it all down, a groom-ing machine serves two primary purposes: pushing piles of snow and l...
Lift Operations Articles January 2025 Cooling Off Despite fewer lifts being built, it was still a busy ...
A deep dive into big tourism’s marketing and sales strategies and how to apply them to the ski industry. By Casey Parliament, Intouch It’s no secret that Disney, Marriott Hotels, Sundance Resort, The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) and every other brand name attraction or experience uses its good name to attract visitors. But how do the...
accesso sponsored content How to improve guest experiences, increase revenue, and stress less in 2022 By Phil Schwartz As ski areas grapple with an ever-changing business landscape, it’s important to keep a close eye on consumer trends. In a world of Instacart and Amazon, guests have become accustomed to seamless online transactions that...
The 2021-2022 Summit Series mentee class hail from resorts across North America, large, mid-size, and small, independent, and corporate, and represent departments ranging from mountain ops to marketing. Thank you to everyone who applied to be a part of our fourth mentee class.
Businesses have spent much of the past 18 months adapting to extraordinary circumstances. Now, amid continued uncertainty, one thing is certain: 2021-22 will be the time to reimagine, reinvent, and reset. With strong leadership guiding the way, our company cultures, productivity, guest experience, green growth, technology, labor, and resiliency...
Summit Series Bootcamps These online learning experiences include: Five pre-recorded sessions with the 2021-22 Summit Series mentors and mentees. Lessons organized into bite-sized conversations so you can proceed at your own pace, day or night, as your schedule permits––a progress checker keeps you on pace and holds your spot when ...
The Summit Series Bootcamps are so pleased to be working with these fabulous speakers who will be sharing their thoughts and insights throughout the Bootcamp program.
The 2021-22 Summit Series program brings together mentors from across the U.S. and Canada, from large and small resorts, independent and corporate, day visit and destination markets, to share their experiences and stories with our mentees. We are incredibly fortunate to have this accomplished group of individuals leverage their knowledge and expertise to help guide, mentor, and advise participants throughout the Summit Series as we look toward the future of the mountain resort industry.
Thank you to our premiere sponsor, MountainGuard, for their support of this program.
May 2025 The Wisdom of Whistler Blackcomb How the largest resort in North America mastered summer, and how you can, too. The simple secret of Whistler Blackcomb’s summer ops success: maximize the experience of your physical en...
May 2025 Dig Deep on Data Use AI to mine your data cache and unlock operational insights. Resort operators accumulate vast amounts of data across operations like F&B outlets, ski school, ticketing, season passes, and CRM s...
accesso sponsored content There’s a lot of preparation involved when planning an upcoming snow adventure, from browsing different options and purchasing tickets to choosing whether to overpack or under pack (who knows, maybe you will end up needing five extra pairs of socks). For an excited guest, minor inconveniences—like long lines to...
This year’s SAMMY Leadership Award honorees embody many of the mountain resort industry’s hallmarks: creativity, work ethic, entrepreneurship, selflessness, and involvement. The class of 2020 includes Danielle Kristmanson and MJ Legault, the guiding lights of some of our most successful brands, Ken Gaitor, a respected and influential operations...
With more than 250 installations, the Wiegand Alpine Coaster is the world’s leader in the mountain coaster industry. The brand creates outstanding revenue for customers worldwide and sets the standard for future resort installations. The Wiegand Alpine Coaster is the only mountain coaster that is designed and engineered to meet DIN, AST...
Choosing your next summer attraction or service is made easier with company and product descriptions, videos, testimonials, and contact information. Click on a logo to learn more. Defining De...
Choosing a technology supplier is made easier with company and product descriptions, videos, testimonials, and contact information. Click on a logo to learn more or view our full Tech Supplier overview from the November issue. ...
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Rise Up Challenge ...
The Risk of Not Investing in Tech A look at the costs of investing—or not investing—in the latest the latest software and what the future may bring. ...
Check out the 2025 Groomer Report along with all our grooming articles—in one place! ...
Snowmaking Articles ...
Explore key themes and insights discovered by Metric Centric during the customer listening sessions they held over the past year. ...
A good lift mechanic is hard to find. Leitner-Poma of America wants to help the industry rise up to the challenge of supporting the next generation of lift mechanics, with the fifth annual Rise Up Challenge. To enter, nominate an up-and-comer in your lift department who exemplifies a passion for a career in lift maintenance. Six resorts will b...
Welcome to our spotlight on tech products and services to help operators continue to enhance their guests' experience, collect important information digitally, and streamline commerce. We will continually add to this list, so check back often. If you have a product or service you’d like SAM to profile, email cole@saminfo.com for details. MODER...
SAM has joined forces with Senan Gorman of North Pole Design and the Tiki Task Force for a live event at the 2021 virtual NSAA Winter Show. Join us on Wednesday, February 3 at 4 p.m. EST for a live chainsawing of a ski tiki of YOUR choice. Check out the designs, fill out the poll below, and join us on Wednesday to watch the winning design be u...
By Paul Thallner, High Peaks Group “This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” - Winston Churchill Many of us ...
Welcome to the Capacity Management Video Series brought to you in partnership with SNOW Operating. In this 4-Part video series, we will share some insights on how resorts can manage capacity. Using real data collected at Big SNOW American Dream, SNOW Operating will illustrate how to use basic Lean Six Sigma concepts in helping to plan your physical...
Welcome to our spotlight on products and services to help operators navigate this winter season during the pandemic. We will continually add to this list, so check back often. If you have a product or service you’d like SAM to profile, email cole@saminfo.com for details. COVID-19 STAFF TRAINING AND PROTOCOLS PuroClean of South R...
The I AM a Snowmaker contest highlights the hard work, determination and camaraderie of snowmakers, and recognizes how critical they are to the success of the mountain resort industry. I AM was started in the winter of 2013-14, and has since had various forms, all in keeping with this mission. CONGRATULATION BRISTOL MOUNTAI...
The I AM a Snowmaker contest highlights the hard work, determination and camaraderie of snowmakers, and recognizes how critical they are to the success of the mountain resort industry. I AM was started in the winter of 2013-14, and has since had various forms, all in keeping with this mission.This season the I AM is celebrating the legacy of Herman...
The I AM a Snowmaker contest highlights the hard work, determination and camaraderie of snowmakers, and recognizes how critical they are to the success of the mountain resort industry. I AM a Snowmaker was started in the winter of 2013-14, and has since had various forms, all in keeping with this mission.In 2022 the I AM a Snowmaker contest celebra...
As different as this winter will likely be, it also presents opportunities. Improving processes, leveraging technology, and making genuine connections with new guests are just some of the efforts resorts have been focusing on. Resorts are also exploring alternative, revenue-driving activities to offer those new guests, because many will be seeking ...
Thank You for Registering Thank you for registering for the 2020 Summit Series Bootcamp: Resilient Leadership Training. You will receive access to the program within 48 hours, so stay tuned for a registration email from Paul Thallner of High Peaks Group. The entire program is built to be flexible to work with your schedul...
12th ANNUAL WHAT’S IN YOUR PARKBY: ILISSA MAIATICOIt’s remarkable that this is the twelfth year we’ve put out the call for entries to our annual terrain park contest. We received numerous submissions from all corners of the earth, and the creativity continues to be next level. We hope these interesting and elaborate ideas will once again...
What’s In Your Park? 2015 EVENTS Back In Blue – Ober Gatlinburg, Tenn. Held the Friday before Thanksgiving, the Back In Blue rail jam is the southeast’s earliest on-snow contest. Snowmaking beings in early October, thanks to SnowMagic. The contest is held in the area’s 300-foot by 100-foot tubing area, allowing ampl...
Welcome judges! Thank you for contributing to the 2020 Terrain Park Contest. This year, we're asking you to look through the past five years of submissions to choose your favorites: 5 features and 3 local or participant-focused events. Tell us why you chose them, and how they might inspire future builds or ideas. Send your choices and comments to ...
The SAM Terrain Park Contest (TPC) is all about showcasing the creativity and hard work of park crews from around the world and inspiring the growth and progression of this vital aspect of mountain operations. Mountain resorts are invited to submit entries from the 2024-25 season for the 20th annual contest no later than Sept. 5. The November 2...
We will be staying on top of the impacts on our industry from COVID-19 and sharing expert insight and resources. This page will be updated regularly with news and resources. In addition, visit our Huddle page for discussions on the current situation and our Social Good page for stories on our mountain community giving back....
As resorts are ramping up to open for the summer and planning for the winter, there are many concerns on the minds of resort operators. In discussion with Aspenware customers and industry leaders, three common operational themes consistently rise to the top of the list: reducing or eliminating lines for tickets, food, and other services; managing d...
DANIELLE KRISTMANSON AND M-J LEGAULT ORIGIN DESIGN AND COMMUNICATIONS DAVY RATCHFORD GENERAL MANAGER, SNOWBASIN, UTAH KEN GAITOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS, SNOWSHOE, W.VA. RICK SCHMITZ, OWNER: NORDIC MOUNTAIN CO-OWNER: LITTLE SWITZERLAND, THE ROCK SNOWPARK RSVP to Sarah Wojcik, sarahw@saminfo.com by...
Stories of our mountain resort community giving back and making a difference. Do you have any social good to share? Email sarahw@saminfo.com. Arapahoe Basin Partners with Denver Public Library to Offer Accessible Ski and Ride Experience to Lower-Income Families Arapahoe Basin, Colo., and the Denver Public Library (DPL) have partnered to create ...
SAM teamed up with North Pole Designs chief creative guy Senan Gorman to produce a weekly cartoon, apropos to the challenges our industry and its people are facing. We all need a little levity right now, so we hope these put a smile on your face. January 12: Don't Be a Mask-hole! Calling all masked heros! Perks include a complimentary ski p...
Sooner or later, every generation gets to forge its own way. And we’ve seen, through this annual celebration of under-30 talent, how quickly a new generation can begin to shape our resorts. This year’s group is typical in that regard, as well as noteworthy for their individual accomplishments. We chose this group not because they are the 10 mo...
Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life, right? It’s a credo brought to life every year with SAM’s young guns, 10 (or, in this case, 11) individuals under 30 who are making a difference with their passion, smarts and dedication. This year’s class is no exception. From a director of food and beverage who manages a full pla...
It was hard to tell during the Great Recession (those years were, after all, ironically good snow years), but as you read this year’s 10 Under 30 interviews, I think you will agree with me: the days of taking the public’s interest for granted are done.This generation of future leaders, forged by some of the toughest years the industry had faced...
About six years ago, leaders across the industry looked around and asked themselves, “where are the future leaders who will take over for us when we want to retire?” A good deal of anxiety followed, as upper management didn’t see an obvious line of succession.To help clarify the outlook, SAM profiled a “Top 10 under 30” of likely candid...
About five years ago, there was a general feeling among top managers that the resort industry faced a looming succession shortage. Guys (and it was mostly guys) looked around after 25, 30, or 40 years of running their resorts and they didn't see many folks capable of replacing themselves when they retired.Now, some of that was surely ego; we're tal...
They like chocolate. They are powder junkies. Nominated by their peers, bosses and former professors, this year’s crop of the hottest young talent in the ski industry is a varied group, working in such disparate positions as ski patrol, risk management and marketing. But, like their love of powder and Snickers bars, they share some common traits:...
When we debuted the "Under 30" list last year, we really had no idea what we were getting into. We thought it would be a nice way to recognize some of the hard working young people of the industry, those people who aren't quite SAMMY eligible yet but show great promise early in their careers.The response to the article, however, was far greater tha...
A religion major who hung with NBA stars, a park manager who fashions park features at his desk out of paperclips, and a marketing wizard who wants to bring the sex back to skiing. These are a few of SAM's 15 future leaders--the next hot commodities in the ski industry. These are the individuals who are not only here to stay, but have already made ...
Skip the fruitcake. Give your coworkers a sweet gift they actually want—the gift of SAM, even sweeter for the holidays.
Year three of the Summit Series brings together mentors from across the U.S., from large and small resorts, independent and corporate, day visit and destination markets, to share their experiences and stories with our mentees. We are incredibly fortunate to have this accomplished group of individuals leverage their knowledge and expertise to help g...
Thank you to everyone who applied and nominated potential mentees into the Summit Series program. We have a wonderful group of mentees participating in year three of the program. The Mentees Mark Adamczyk, Director of Outdoor Adventure, Winter Park Resort, Colo. Mark Adamczyk left the East Coast to take a position as a lift operator in the...
Thank you to everyone who applied and nominated potential mentees into the Summit Series program. We have a wonderful group of mentees participating in year three of the program. The Mentees Mark Adamczyk, Director of Outdoor Adventure, Winter Park Resort, Colo. Mark Adamczyk left the East Coast to take a position as a lift operator in...
Thank you so much for your interest in the PEAK Navigator program. Please fill out the form below to be notified of future cohorts and other leadership development opportunities.
