Browse Our Archives

• Area Management
• Research

SAM's own ski area operator's survey produced stunning revelations on what area managers want and are thinking, particularly regarding the effectiveness of USIA. National marketing ranks low. Includes graphs and tables of results, two pages of quotes extracted from the comments on the surveys and an explanation of the methodology that was used to p...

• Activities
• Resort Development
• Summer

Many ski areas have discovered the ideal off-season match: water attractions such as pools, flumes, slides and rivers. Here's a guide to a new wave in recreation. This feature takes a look at water theme parks across North America describing their attractions and how they are received by the public. ...

• Lift Maintenance
• Safety

Acceleration of the loads on an aerial tramway system--a chairlift, for instance--can be smooth as silk or can result in deropement. Recent information on the effects of harmonics on lifts has come to light. This feature examines the dynamics of tensioning, detensioning and how these forces affect lift operations. ...

• Lift Maintenance
• Safety

An understanding of the expected behavior of a lift's tensioning system will help alert lift operators or supervisors to recognize and corrrect any tensioning system problems on a timely basis. This piece examines a model tension drive to explain the characteristics of carriage movement and how operators can understand them. ...

• Conferences / Trade Shows
• Research
• Resort Development

An adaptation of a longer presentation made by Ted Farwell at a conference on ski area development at Vail, Colo., addressing the growth, or lack of it, in skier demand. Includes tables on market size, estimated skier visits, North American growth capacity and demand for skiing. ...

The annual report of over-snow grooming vehicles for the upcoming 1991 season. Includes a table of specifications for all models, a guide to the tables and several photos of the machines. ...

• Snowmaking

The efficiencies gained in cooling compressed air and water for snowmaking are being confirmed daily at ski areas across the country. Here is a simplified explanation of the most frequently used types of cooling for both compressed air and snowmaking water. ...

• Tools

A comparison of portable bandsaws that are a necessity in many shops. Included are individual reviews of nine machines, a table of specifications and prices.  ...

• Environment
• Resort Development

They may be unassuming and they probably are reclusive, but "threatened" and "endangered" species can stop your area's development dead in its tracks. Here is what ski area operators and developers need to know in dealing with them. A walk-through of the system by three leading experts on the environmental laws that concern the ski industry. ...

• Racing
• Snowmaking

A brief look at the 9th Annual Snowmakers Classic ski race at Ski Windham, N.Y. A great event to cap off a season of hard work. ...

• Area Management
• Ski School

A look at the new skier development program at Sunday River, Maine. This program was designed to replace the old-style ski lessons and ski instructor's theme with a new positive reinforcement theme called the Perfect Turn. The program has met with positive public response. ...

• History

A look at the history of the weather patterns that affect California ski areas and an explanation of the two different jet streams that affect the West Coast. The article was prompted by a drought this past season that ended abruptly, without warning. ...

• International
• Snowmaking

Snowmaking is the key question for alpine venues. This article reports on the observations of 20 American ski executives who toured France's snowmaking facilities prior to the 1992 Olympic Games in Albertville. ...

• Environment

A look at how the staff at Norquay ski area in Banff, Alberta, was able to unite with environmentalists and the local community to plant 200 saplings. The turnout was so great that the number of trees were limited to one per family or group. This revegetation program was carried out with the aid of the Canadian Parks Service. ...

• Racing

A look at the use of artificial intelligence within Snowtracker's new automated snowmaking software. The program divides the mountain into elevations and directions to form quadrants. Weather patterns are then stored in a database as they are collected. This data is used to predict the weather for specific elevations and regions. Add a comme...

A look at the state of cross-country skiing in the U.S. This past winter, while a harsh one, was not all bad. A few smaller XC centers have folded but a few also exceeded expectations. Article looks into the feasibility of snowmaking and other moves to improve the sport and overcome no-snow winters. ...

A look into how the food and beverage departments can better cater to the middle-market skiers who are looking for healthy food at reasonable prices. Includes suggested menus and different ways of attracting this particular market. ...

An overview of the organization of USIA. This piece is highly critical of the current direction of the association and adds a substantial number of suggestions for those in charge and the members at large. ...