SAM Coverage
Business
-
Due Diligence: The Financial Foundation
Due diligence is the financial foundation of any new building or major renovation project. A strong and stable financial foundation is essential for a…
-
Take It All Into Account
A revealing deep dive into the “2022-23 Economic Analysis of U.S. Ski Areas.” During the 2022-23 season, the United States ski industry experienced record…
-
Can We Still Count on Christmas?
Is Christmas week still the best benchmark for the season? December and the all-important Christmas holiday period were a bust for many North American…
-
Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Despite competition for visits, ski areas large and small still find ways to support one another. From the consumer point of view, the North…
-
Western Mountain Destination Bookings Decline with Snow Levels
SAM Magazine—Winter Park, Colo., Feb. 15, 2024—Hotel bookings at mountain destinations in the western U.S. have dropped to a 30-month low, while room rates…
-
It’s Just Business
By analyzing key performance indicators, resort managers and leaders are better equipped for success. Ed. Note: It’s important for leaders at all resorts, from department heads…
-
Successful Succession
Succession planning is critical in securing long-term success for future owners of a business, and cementing the legacy of current ones. Katie Boedecker grew…
-
The End of Cash is Nigh
More resorts are moving toward cashless transactions thanks to a slew of benefits. Back in the day, head-out-to-ski prep looked like this: tighten up your…
-
Summer Booking, Summer Not
As of late spring, summer business was looking up, down, or on par-—for many different reasons. Remember the good old days when there were pandemic…
-
Investing in Retention of Interest
Smart capital investments are made with a broad, long-term return in mind. While owners and operators have long been familiar with determining the best…
-
Durable Demand
Despite weather extremes, the 2022-23 season reached the halfway mark with strong demand and visits. This story is from the SAM print archive Subscribers…
-
What to Expect When Expecting a Recession
We look to SAM’s archives and today’s brightest minds to forecast the possible impacts of inflation and a potential recession on the upcoming season.…
-
A Renewed Focus on Growth
Participation growth concerns were sidelined during the past two Covid-restricted seasons, but now it’s time to refocus on developing the market. What ever happened…
-
The Supply Dilemma
Kinks in the supply chain have snarled the world of manufacturing, and resort suppliers are navigating the tangle. Supply chain issues, shipping delays, and…
-
Positive Results in Challenging Times
An industry luminary shares useful highlights and astute observations from the 2020-21 NSAA Economic Analysis. An in-depth review of the “2020-21 NSAA Economic Analysis…
-
It’s Alive: Small Ski Areas, Reanimated
These three ski areas have been brought back from the brink in a big way. Small ski areas that have come back from…
-
Forecasting a Summer Swell
With Covid-19 loosening its grip on the country, the outdoor recreation boom it spawned shows no sign of letter up. Last summer, in the…
-
The Lights Are On
Why night skiing and riding can be a boon to business for resorts of all sizes. When the alpenglow fades and night falls,…