Browse Our Archives

Almost exactly three years after the USIA merger, the union of SIA and NSAA dissolves. NSAA chairman Chris Diamond sees a continuation of historic directions within a political structure that will be "quite a different animal." Includes two sidebars: "NSAA's Leadership" and "Dates in NSAA History." ...

• Lifts

A comprehensive look at the process of wire rope installation geared towards those involved in the installation process. Explains the different types of wire rope, the characteristics of each type, installation guidelines and product liability. Includes a sidebar on survey responses from wire rope makers and lift designers. ...

• Environment
• USFS

A look at the joint venture of the Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Council (WHEC) and Steamboat, Colo., to better the environment around the ski area. Working in conjunction with the Forest Service, Steamboat's all-volunteer crew has been successful in creating and promoting its program. Includes how to set up a WHEC program on private land and get it...

• Finance
• Research

Dramatic gains reported in the 1991-1992 ski season as trends head in the proper direction. Topics covered: Major changes, Highlights, Profitability, Regional Standings and Study Availability. Tables cover ski area profitability and Key Factors by Geographic Regions. ...

Ski areas are pouring big money into facilities and programs for children expecting to see a big return on investment in the future. Article looks at what some Colorado areas have done to anticipate and encourage the growth of young skiers and the current trends among this age group. Sidebar on the subject of KidSlope, the artificial ski mound for...

• Environment
• Lifts

A look at the special circumstances involved in installing a used double chairlift in the highest reaches of Winter Park, Colo. After two years and a lot of reconfiguring due to unique environmental considerations, the installation was successfully completed. ...

• Area Management
• Business

A comprehensive look at the merits of a yield management program for selling ski packages in advance and filling the empty beds of a resort during seasonal lulls. Feature includes equations, graphs of a nested reservation system and demand control charts. ...

• Conferences / Trade Shows
• Lifts

An overview of the OITAF/NACS symposium at Steamboat, Colo., and at the 15 papers presented. ...

A book review of the USIA Snowboard Operations Manual, recommended by the author for small ski areas that may not have the time or resources to collect this data on their own. The book was based on surveys sent to American ski areas. ...

A look at the Tenth Mountain Division's impact on the world of American skiing, coinciding with a fiftieth anniversary reunion of the World War II army ski troopers in Vail, Colorado, a few miles north of the pastures used by the Tenth over fifty years ago. ...

• Racing

This article examines the effectiveness of using computers to automate several areas of a marketing department. Topics addressed in detail are: in-house direct Mail, List Maintenance, Program Tracking and Desktop Publishing. Sidebar on the first computer fairs for software relevant to the ski industry. ...

• Personnel Issues

This article establishes criteria for hiring and training qualified personnel to manage children's ski programs. Topics addressed include: training, support, compensation and job qualifications. ...

• Miscellaneous

A listing of products and services and their suppliers within the ski industry. ...

• Miscellaneous

Names, addresses and key contacts for suppliers of products and services to the ski industry. ...

Varying views on the demerger and the new direction for NSAA from ski areas across the nation. Covers classic industry debates over lobbying vs. support services vs. marketing , and where the money and emphasis should be. ...

Another perspective on the rebirth of NSAA and some suggested directions. This opinion piece addresses the future of the national association and how to rework the dues system. ...

• Area Management

A call to the industry not to abandon the Quality Counts program that was recently adopted by the USIA. This program is important to the safety of our industry and could save many in the industry from hardship. ...

An historical look at the progression of the sport of skiing over the decades, defining events that have contributed to the erosion of freedom within the sport. This piece is written with an eye towards the sport of snowboarding. The author, general manager of Tyrol Basin, Wisc., hopes that the industry will learn from past mistakes and embrace thi...