SAM Coverage
Business
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The Challenge of Being Small
Six small-area leaders join a wide-ranging roundtable discussion. A number of smaller ski areas struggle to find employees to fill roles that require…
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Gateway to Happiness (and Profitability)
RFID access gates are a convenience to guests and a surprisingly cost-effective tool for operators. Almost every guest at a ski area has a…
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An El Niño Year
Thanks for everything, or nothing. A monster El Niño wreaked havoc on the 2015-16 ski season, restoring normal snowfall and visitation to the Pacific…
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To Build or Not to Build
With hundreds, if not thousands, of old lifts running across North America, many managers are asking themselves, “Should I repair or replace these older…
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From Obsession to Progression
There is a preoccupation in the park world with continually pushing to reach the next level. This notion has endured from a time when…
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Resort Rental Gear Remains Hot
Performance, demo, and backcountry rentals are helping to fuel growth in rental overall, according to a recent survey conducted by SAM Magazine and Snowsports…
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The Rise of the She-conomy
When it comes to marketing or selling anything, you should never underestimate the power of women. A Nielsen consumer study from 2013 revealed women…
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Blue Pages :: November 2015
HOW MUCH MEDICAL EXPERTISE IS ENOUGH?… DO OR DIE (HARD) FOR SOLDIER MOUNTAIN… BRINGING THE MOUNTAIN TO THE PEOPLE… JANIEâS GOT A BUN… REMEMBERING…
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Construction Site :: November 2015
Resorts across the U.S. have been upgrading lifts and other facilities as part of their efforts to improve the guest experience. SQUAW VALLEY, CALIFORNIACrews…
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Everybody’s an Expert!
At something, that is. How can you turn that expertise into a superlative guest service culture that takes hold across all departments? Everybody at…
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Hot Prospects
Summer operations hold the promise of high margins and profits, but achieving them takes a concerted effort. The growth of summer tourism provides winter…
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Go Green, Save Green
A commitment to the environment can pay off in myriad ways. Going green can save you green. And while this prompts resorts to find…
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A Hospitable Climate?
As scientific evidence accumulates about the changing climate, winter resorts face many questions. Contrary to what some have said, those who professionally study the…
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Thinking Small
THINKING SMALL ISSUE November 2015 AUTHOR Bruce M. Erickson VOLUME 54-6 PAGE 50 SUBJECT Business, Buildings & Grounds Small ski areas face a variety…
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Thinking Small
Small ski areas face a variety of challenges, many of which are unique to the nature of a small area operation. SAM wants to…
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Job Number One
Ski areas continue to search for new skiers and riders to replace the aging, and departing, Boomers. With the huge Baby Boom generation, which…
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Smart Cards Are on the Way
But it may take them years to become widely accepted at winter resorts. When it comes to technology, the immortal Roseanne Roseannadanna had it…
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Construction Site :: September 2015
Major summer improvement projects include summit and base lodge additions, bike parts, and of course, lift installations. SCHWEITZER, IDSchweitzer Mountain began construction earlier this…