The Haskell Bill — Bad News
Mr. Haskell is a Colorado-based politician. He wants to be re-elected. That takes votes and votes are garnered by creating issues popular with a constituency. However, in this case the constituency appears to be a highly vocal minority in an old ski town in the Rockies who have a problem with the local ski operator. Perhaps they have a case. If so, they should settle it locally. It is by far not a statewide issue, let alone a national one.
Mr. Haskell’s personal ambitions can hurt us all. Generally speaking most resorts bear the burden of supporting local businesses (bars, restaurants, lodges, etc.) whose owners in many cases have “escaped to the country.” They provide services, to be sure, but often harangue for freebies, promotional assistance, privileges and “psychic compensations” which allow them to attract help at sub-standard wages and make their own living more enjoyable; all at the expense of the area operator. On the other hand, the area operator should recognize the contribution that the town makes in providing hospitality services which make his business better.
The heart of the Haskell Bill is ski area ticket pricing. The U.S. Forest service has already completed a study of the competitiveness of pricing and has several answers. This is as it should be — resolving local problems at the local level with the responsible government agency. Senator Haskell’s bill would make ticket pricing a matter for Congressional review and would require full public disclosure of financial information considered by most operators to be private and confidential. Another provision which would have required an area operator on public lands to provide “cut rate” skiing has already been proven unfeasible from the economic and marketing standpoints.
The conclusion can only be that Mr. Haskell should not attempt to promote parochial issues to national significance for personal gain, that he shouldn’t make a major cause out of a personal disagreement, and that he should recognize that less government means better government. Ski area operators are subjected to a greater number and diversity of problems than almost any form of private enterprise imaginable. They should not have to serve as the vehicle for electioneering by politicians.
Resort Service International — Investment News
RSI — Year 1
It’s been an interesting year for Resort Service International. Over the past several years it has become obvious that a reliable clearinghouse of information for resort areas considering buy/ sell/ merge/ refinance opportunities was needed in the ski industry. Even more critical was the need for a professional evaluation of various ski related opportunities and a businesslike approach in determining marketability, establishment of reasonable pricing, and negotiation of terms. RSI was established a year ago in order to meet those needs and act as Business Representative to qualified areas, investors and other interested parties.
Over the past year more than 100 ski projects throughout the U.S. have approached or been contacted by R.S.I. for representation services. Of those, approximately 75 percent were considered to be unrealistic in terms of asking price and/or terms. Thus, at the present time R.S.I. is representing the business interests of approximately 30 existing areas and development projects, from small one-man operations to internationally recognized four seasons resorts.
During the same period R.S.I. has attracted the attention of numerous investors. Non qualified “tire kickers” were initially weeded out, and at present R.S.I. has working relationships with approximately 20 bona fide potential buyers, either individuals, corporations, institutions or syndicates. By and large our investors are interested in successful operating areas. They do not want massive real estate holdings or someone else’s accumulated problems.
The buy-sell matchups are starting to take shape. We anticipate a good track record and a broader scope of operations in the coming year.
If you feel that our service might be appropriate to your needs we’d be pleased to discuss the situation with you.
Knapp Associates Inc. — Equipment News
Thanks to you the area operators of North America, KA has successfully passed its second anniversary. The first two years were exciting and we’re looking forward to a long association with the ski industry.
For those of you that don’t know us as yet, we’re still no further away than a “toll-free 800” telephone call or your own issue of Ski Resort Marketplace. By just letting us know your needs, buying or selling, we can help to the best of our ability. Personal service is our hallmark with careful attention to the many details of a successful transaction. Just ask any operator that’s worked with us.
Equipment needs are great among our clients. We’re always on the lookout for chairlifts, but at this time of year, we’re especially interested in late model vehicles, grooming machinery, snowmaking, and rentals. The type of equipment that can be purchased at the last minute before the new season. A fair listing has a better than average chance of selling between now and Thanksgiving.
Present machinery listings are good, but the best selections are selling quickly. At time of publication we had better than 24 lifts, 36 vehicles, 21 snowmaking units, utilities of all kinds, and a few rentals. Call today for the details. No charge or obligation. We’d like to help.
U.S. Office:
Knapp Associates, Inc.
RD 2 — Box 143
Shelburne, Vt. 05482
Canadian Office:
Knapp Associates (Canada) Ltd.
3135 Universal Dr. — Unit 18
Mississauga, Ont. L4X 2E6
Sno-Engineering Inc — Personnel News
Personnel Placement
Many area owners/managers call us with a typical problem “one of their key personnel has left on short notice”. This may really be an opportunity instead.
Too often ski areas have a table of organization with all the little square boxes lined up nicely and with authority and responsibility drawn in neat straight lines. People, (and that’s the key to any business) seldom fit in square boxes. Each person has different strengths, weaknesses, desires and dislikes. And truly creative people, the kind we need in the ski industry often communicate at every level without regard for rank or position.
Modern management should recognize these factors and adjust the organizational framework to accommodate the potentials of its individual members. When a key employee leaves, management should not try to replace in kind but perhaps should take inventory, rearrange responsibilities and authorities, adjust compensation schedules, and make the organization more efficient, flexible and reflective of individual talents. This will increase everyone’s job satisfaction and productivity.
We’ve helped over a dozen areas with their personnel “problems” this summer on a fee arrangement which is about 30% lower than personnel industry standards. We’d be glad to hear from you if you, too, have personnel “problems”. Several of our current openings, and the synopsized resumes of some of our 140 qualified candidates are published periodically in the Newsletter.
U.S. Offices:
P.O. Box 65, Franconia, N.H. 03580 — (603) 823-5539
P.O. Box 11536, Aspen, Colo. 81611 — (303) 925-6615
