SAM Coverage
Lift Maintenance
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Murphy’s Law Loves a Holiday Week
When lifts break, teams jump into action—and what happens next deserves the headlines. It was a Saturday afternoon during Christmas week, and Dave Moulton was…
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An Age-Old Lift Problem
With each passing year, the need to replace aging lifts across North America becomes more urgent. The ski industry in North America faces a significant…
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Back Down to Earth
Tariffs and inflation were among the primary causes for a dip in North American lift installations. Lift construction returned to pre-Covid levels in 2025…
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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…
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The Rise of the Mechtrician
Lift maintenance teams may not need IT people (yet), but lift mechanics—and training—have evolved in response to new tech. It all started with an old…
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New HQs for Mountain Ops
Mountain operations have expanded greatly over the decades, and so must the notion of “maintenance shops.” Maintenance shops are one of those capital expense items…
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The Training Conundrum
To develop the next generation of mountain ops employees, we must find new ways to provide crucial training and pass along expertise. Raise your…
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Deer Valley Partners with Mayflower Developer for Major Expansion
SAM Magazine—Park City, Utah, Aug. 24, 2023—Alterra-owned Deer Valley has partnered with Extell Development Company to operate the planned skiable terrain that was part…
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Snow People—August 2023
In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements…
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Polar Vortex Disrupts Operations Across North America
SAM Magazine—Ludlow, Vt., Dec. 23, 2022—A powerful winter storm bringing artic temps, dangerous wind chill values, and in some regions, blizzard conditions or even…
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Mont-Sainte-Anne Ordered to Remain Closed, Remediate Lift Issues
SAM Magazine— Beaupré, Quebec, Dec. 19, 2022—The Quebec Building Authority (RBQ) found that Mont-Sainte-Anne (MSA) did not follow proper operating procedures during morning start-up…
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Staying Grounded
Conveyor lifts require proper maintenance—and safe maintenance procedures—to keep them rolling smoothly. Surface lifts are the great-grandparents in the business of getting people up hill…
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Ski Areas Slide Into June
SAM Magazine—Cambridge, Vt., June 2, 2022—Many of North America’s resorts opened later than they would have liked this winter, but a few standout areas…
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Mike Goar to Lead Andermatt-Sedrun, and Other Vail Resorts Moves
SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., May 10, 2022— Mike Goar, currently vice president and chief operating officer of Park City Mountain Resort, Utah, will lead Andermatt-Sedrun,…
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It’s a Useful Life
Key considerations in deciding whether to repair, upgrade, or replace an aging lift. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to repair…
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Vail Town Council Halts Vail Resorts Affordable Housing Project
SAM Magazine—Vail, Colo., May 4, 2022—The Vail town council voted 4-3 on Tuesday to begin possible condemnation proceedings on a 23-acre parcel of Vail…
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Big Snow Closed Through October After Fire
SAM Magazine—East Rutherford, N.J., Sept. 30, 2021— Big Snow will remain closed through October after a fire that occurred in the early morning hours…
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Booking Pace Slows, Rates Stay Strong at Western Resorts
SAM Magazine—Winter Park, Colo., Sept. 15, 2021—By the end of August, western mountain destinations were poised to set all-time records for daily rates and revenue—despite…