Browse Our Archives

• Ski School

This piece is a reprint of a letter written by a former ski instructor, Hilary Miller, to the Eastern Division of PSIA. The letter addresses the poor pay scale and lack of respect confronted by most ski instructors. ...

• Ski Area Profiles

A look at the highly successful nordic area, Royal Gorge, Calif., and its innovative leader, John Slouber. Using the idea that most cross country skiers are cross-overs from alpine, Slouber has modeled his area after the alpine areas and marketed to alpine skiers. The end result is an area with 117,000 annual skier visits and15 to 24 percent annual...

SAM visits the headquarters of USIA in McLean, Va. This feature takes a photo guided trip through the halls of the main offices of the industry's trade association. David Ingemie, leads the tour with his views on the current state of affairs in the offices. ...

The story of a non-merger, when the boards of Professional Ski Instructors of America and National Ski Patrol agreed to carefully consolidate their operations into a single building. A look at the joint offices of PSIA and NSP and how this "consolidation" is working. ...

• Politics

SAM editors visit the Washington offices of the American Ski Federation (ASF) for a guided tour of their operations and agenda. An insightful look into the history and objectives of this organization. SAM interviews ASF officials Joe Prendergast and Carrie Bowers. ...

• Buildings & Grounds
• Environment
• Resort Development

Concluding a two-part series on the wetlands permitting processes with suggested step-by-step approaches for areas needing wetlands permits. Includes recommendations for industry action, plus two sidebars on recent Section 404 permitting approvals and recent court decisions on the subject. ...

• Tools

Power, small size and convenience have made cordless drills one of the most popular tools in the shop. Seventeen models were tested with varying recommendations for ski area usage. Includes a table of specifications and prices. ...

• Ski Area Profiles

In 16 months, a quiet corner of a sleepy Korean national park was transformed into a world-class resort. An explanation of how it was done and a look at Muju resort in South Korea. ...

• Buildings & Grounds
• Environment
• Resort Development

The best mountains balance trail acreage with uphill lift capacity, base facilities and a concern for environmental quality, plus they offer a great skiing experience. The third in a series of articles about the winners of the Snow Country design awards. A look at Stratton, Vt.; Sunday River, Maine; Solitude, Utah and Copper Mountain, Colo. ...

• Lifts
• Research

The annual report on new lift construction in North America. Includes a series of tables comparing VTFH to preceding years along with lift capacity by region, new lifts by manufacturer and the total number of new lifts. ...

• Lift Maintenance
• Risk Management
• Safety

A look at a few modifications developed by the ski patrol from Gunstock, N.H.,for the inexpensive Evac-U-Life system. ...

• Buildings & Grounds
• Environment

A pilot project at Sugarbush, Vt., revealed that nature's original waste treatment plan works--except for a few glitches created by man. A greenhouse was constructed with a variety of organisms to remove different pollutants from effluent waste. This "Solar-aquatic technology" is being developed by Susan Peterson of Ecological Engineering, Inc. ...

• Ski Area Profiles

A profile of the ticketing program offered at Greek Peak, N.Y. The program, overseen by Al Kryger, is based on being flexible enough to offer a ticket that represents any possible need of his clientele. Includes an overview of this unique and profitable style of management. ...

• Marketing
• Research

Attendees at this year's Ski Magazine Week at Aspen, Colo., garnered many useful ideas and a few surprising facts in the sessions and workshops keyed to the theme: " Marketing Smart in the '90s: Obstacles and Opportunities." Brad Edmondson of American Demographics magazine addressed the group on the evolving demographics of the American public. ...

• Risk Management
• Safety

A look at how the formation of a regularly-updated emergency file containing contact names and phone numbers, coupled with a disaster plan, can help in emergencies. This article gives some guidance and examples on how to set such files up correctly. ...

This article is an overview of the procedures for food storage and heating as mandated by law. Included are techniques for ensuring the quality of food and how to develop good relationships with local health department officials. ...

• Miscellaneous

Early November snowfalls from Colorado to New England got portions of the ski industry off to a fast start, helping to take the edge off deepening economic and rising fuel cost blues. Most areas reported early season indicators, such as bookings, inquiries and pass sales, even or ahead of last year. ...

• Politics
• Risk Management

A look at the effects of the proposed bill "A-964" that is before the New Jersey State Assembly. This bill was written by a prominent doctor whose daughter was killed in a skiing accident. Although understandable, this bill is being called a plaintiff lawyer's dream. The author appeals to the ski industry at large to heed this warning and help defe...