Browse Our Archives

A look at the pending USIA decision on restructuring its revenue bases. Includes a chart of sample gross-lift-revenue-based dues. ...

• Lift Maintenance
• Risk Management

A review of extensive testing performed on the track rope of Jackson Hole's famous aerial tramway in Wyoming, which yielded positive results. Includes a description of the mammoth task of slipping 70 feet of the track cable using block and tackles. ...

• Snowboarding
• Terrain

Conflict between skiers and snowboarders was rising at Bear Mountain, California, until they created a solution that was pronounced "epic," creating a snowboard park that has set the standard. Feature includes photos and a map of the park with dimensions and specifications of the terrain features. ...

• Miscellaneous

Dressing employees is an important and expensive part of a ski resort's operation that deserves time, planning and an understanding of needs. This feature on uniform purchasing looks at how an area selects uniforms, including do's and don'ts from several managers who have been through the process and a sidebar on donating uniforms to charity. ...

• Energy
• Snowmaking

Pumps may not be as glamorous as snowguns, but it is in the pump system and its controls that important operational efficiencies can be realized. Here's a quick course in the basics, including photos, charts, diagrams and a glossary of pump terminology. ...

• Grooming
• Research

A table listing all over-snow grooming vehicles and their specifications for 1992. Includes utility vehicles and Classes I through IV, classified by weight. ...

• Energy
• Snowmaking

A look at the HKD tower gun snowmaking system designed by Herman K. Dupre and employed at his ski area, Seven Springs, Pa. ...

• Ticketing

The varieties of lift tickets seem to be increasing daily. In reality, there are only ten basic types, but danger come when hybrids and gimmicks threaten sound planning. Topics covered include: daily tickets, multi-day tickets, season passes, group tickets, children and seniors, pay-per-ride programs, third party sellers and pro-rated tickets. ...

Air and horsepower are only part of the measurement when purchasing this important machine. A look at five makes and models of air compressors for maintenance shops. Includes photos and a table of specifications. ...

Interest rates will eventually rise and with them will go the benefits of borrowing. Here are some ways to hedge against the inevitable increase in rates, including the hedging practice of caps on the interest rate paid. Feature includes two charts on the caps and the prime rate history. ...

A look at the features of two bills that were introduced to both Congress and the Senate. These bills, introduced via the efforts of ASF and USIA, are aimed at creating a simplified fee structure and construction of affordable housing for employees on federally-owned land. Although there is a long way to go, the progress is considered amazing. ...

• Area Management

USIA is launching a new program developed by Sno.engineering to help ski areas see their operation as customers see it, leading the way for a comprehensive quality assurance program (QAP). ...

• Finance
• People

A guide to the troubled world of Vail's George Gillett, owner of the holding company for Vail Associates, which owns and operates Vail and Beaver Creek resorts in Colorado. The holding company has filed for bankruptcy and the latest findings are here in this update. ...

This piece relates a familiar story of a lift operator/skier argument that turns sour. The point of this piece is to demonstrate a better way for employees to handle confrontations with their customers. Topics covered are demeanor, anticipation of the problem and resolution of the problem. ...

Three successful ski area pizza operators from three different parts of the country have shared their methods and approaches to pizza. Each does a pizza differently, but all have discovered how to put out a quality product that fits the need for quick service and profits. ...

• Architecture

A look at the architectural design phase and its key elements. The success of this phase hinges on communication between project players. Examines the sub-phases of the design phase including: program development, site evaluation, design development, research and data collection. ...

• Miscellaneous

A review of the book The Overworked American, written by Juliet Schor. This well-received book examines the unexpected decline in leisure time for Americans, significant to the ski industry, which vies for customer's leisure time. Waiting For the Weekend, by Witold Rybczynski, is a narrative history of the "weekend," which also deals with the subj...

• Ski School

Article outlines the benefits of a method of quality inventory for ski instructors that has been in use at the Suicide Six ski area in Vermont for a full season. This unique system, although somewhat subjective at times, has freed up the ski school director's time and has aided the department in assigning instructors to classes that best fit their ...

• Disability Issues
• Ski School

A review of the book Bold Tracks, by Hal O'Leary, a comprehensive guide to basic adaptive ski teaching. With the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), every ski school is recommended to have a copy of this book. ...

Highland Snowmaker improvements by SMI; Diesel and gas generators by TICO; Changeable banner kits by Willco; Snowmaker boots by Lowa USA; Snow inducer by Sno-CHK; Driveshaft literature by Spicer Universal Joint Div., Dana Corp; Key watch ticketing technology by Skidata. ...

• Environment
• Politics

A look at the Wise Use Movement (WUM), a coalition of organizations that seeks unrestricted access to all natural resources for economic use, benefit and profit with backing largely from the mineral industry. The author explores the methods of this group and states that their position is not one that would benefit the ski industry. Add a com...

• Environment

A look at several of the environmental challenges that were met by ski areas across the country this past season. Of note were the award-winning areas of Wintergreen, Va.; Snowbird,Utah; Killington, Vt. and Keystone, Colo. All areas set great examples of taking care of their respective environments. ...

• Obituary

An obituary of NSAA's first elected president, David Judson. Includes a brief look at the inception of our national association and how it has evolved. ...

• Miscellaneous

An outrageous (but pointed) message to marketers to get back to basics. ...

Irvin Naylor, owner of three eastern ski areas (two in Pennsylvania, one in New York), is known as a strongly independent NSAA/USIA board member since 1985, who has served USIA both a secretary and treasurer while on its executive committee. SAM asks him to share his admittedly strong opinions on how the USIA board might better meet the needs of th...

• Environment
• USFS

A look at the results of a survey sent out by the Forest Service to determine the wants and needs of fall, spring and summer season operations. This survey addressed preferred activities such as hiking and mountain biking as well as the problems they pose to the environment and the local economies. ...