Print
Push to The Latest: No

The National Ski Areas Association drew a typically large crowd to the National Convention and Tradeshow, May 17-21 in Nashville, Tenn. Attendees enjoyed the usual mix of inspirational keynotes and educational seminars, as well as the musical melting pot that is Nashville. But the lingering impact of a boom-or-bust season kept the audience focused on business.

DSC00979 W800 H600

DSC00979 W800 H600

DSC00981 W800 H600

DSC00981 W800 H600

DSC00982 W800 H600

DSC00982 W800 H600

DSC00985 W800 H600

DSC00985 W800 H600

DSC00986 W800 H600

DSC00986 W800 H600

DSC00988 W800 H600

DSC00988 W800 H600

DSC01004 W800 H600

DSC01004 W800 H600

DSC01008 W800 H600

DSC01008 W800 H600

DSC01010 W800 H600

DSC01010 W800 H600

DSC01014 W800 H600

DSC01014 W800 H600

DSC01019 W800 H600

DSC01019 W800 H600

DSC01021 W800 H600

DSC01021 W800 H600

DSC01043 W800 H600

DSC01043 W800 H600

East Amigos W800 H600

East Amigos W800 H600

IMG 7631 W800 H600

IMG 7631 W800 H600

IMG 7635 W800 H600

IMG 7635 W800 H600

IMG 7637 W800 H600

IMG 7637 W800 H600

IMG 7642 W800 H600

IMG 7642 W800 H600

IMG 7644 W800 H600

IMG 7644 W800 H600

IMG 7647 W800 H600

IMG 7647 W800 H600

IMG 7648 W800 H600

IMG 7648 W800 H600

IMG 7666 W800 H600

IMG 7666 W800 H600

IMG 7672 W800 H600

IMG 7672 W800 H600

IMG 7682 W800 H600

IMG 7682 W800 H600

IMG 7687 W800 H600

IMG 7687 W800 H600

IMG 7689 W800 H600

IMG 7689 W800 H600

IMG 7690 W800 H600

IMG 7690 W800 H600

IMG 7692 W800 H600

IMG 7692 W800 H600

IMG 7699 W800 H600

IMG 7699 W800 H600

IMG 7742 W800 H600

IMG 7742 W800 H600

Mike And Emily Salmon W800 H600

Mike And Emily Salmon W800 H600

Ober Gat And Kim W800 H600

Ober Gat And Kim W800 H600

Photo May 18, 11 15 21 AM W800 H600

Photo May 18, 11 15 21 AM W800 H600

Photo May 19, 2 21 43 PM W800 H600

Photo May 19, 2 21 43 PM W800 H600

Photo May 19, 5 48 37 PM W800 H600

Photo May 19, 5 48 37 PM W800 H600

Photo May 19, 5 50 54 PM W800 H600

Photo May 19, 5 50 54 PM W800 H600

Rossi And Deer Valley W800 H600

Rossi And Deer Valley W800 H600

SAMMYhalloffame16 W800 H600

SAMMYhalloffame16 W800 H600

Sunshine Vill Trio W800 H600

Sunshine Vill Trio W800 H600

Flynn Ski Strong W800 H600

Flynn Ski Strong W800 H600

Gunther Olivia Jon W800 H600

Gunther Olivia Jon W800 H600

Music City The Stage W800 H600

Music City The Stage W800 H600

Nxt Naylor Dudding W800 H600

Nxt Naylor Dudding W800 H600

Pat Seth And RRC W800 H600

Pat Seth And RRC W800 H600

Schweitzer Mulcher W800 H600

Schweitzer Mulcher W800 H600

That focus included the evolving nature of the industry, from the need to address ADA website accessibility to the next generation of leaders. Marketing trends and transforming beginners into lifelong converts and advocates also peppered the agenda, as well as informal discussions throughout the conference.

The trade show was a lively place throughout the event. A variety of suppliers from all over the world engaged resort decisionmakers in discussions about their latest products and services.

The annual review of the preliminary Kottke Study detailed the nature of the season, and showed why resilience and adaptability are such necessities for winter resorts. Western regions tallied record and near-record visit totals, while the Midwest and East recorded worst and near-worst visitation numbers. The Midwest was down 17 percent, the Northeast 28 percent, and the Southeast 30 percent.

The Kottke Study also highlighted the continuing decline in beginner (level 1) ski and snowboard lessons. These dropped by nearly 10 percent, despite the overall flat visitation numbers. That probably reflects the visit declines in the Eastern half of the country, where many beginner lessons usually occur.

On a positive note, the Kottke study charted the return of skiers and riders all along the West Coast after four years of sub-par snowfall and weather. The Pacific Northwest even set an all-time visit record, with more than 4.8 million guests. That bodes well for a rebound next year in the East and Midwest, if weather cooperates.

Nashville itself provided a fitting backdrop for the conference, as well as a change of scenery. The city has developed a vibrant and diverse musical culture, building upon its base as the epicenter of country music. Construction cranes litter the skyline, indicating that change is ongoing. The traditional and the new sit side by side: the futuristic Music City Center looms just a few blocks away from the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Old Opry in the mid-1900s, and the still-new Bridgestone Center, home to the Nashville Predators hockey team, sits a block or two from Tootsies and The Stage, two of the oldest and most renowned music venues in country music. If Nashville can manage to change and grow with the times, surely winter sports can as well.