Browse Our Archives

• Lift Maintenance

Modern terminal designs with shorter tension carriages require low-stretch ropes that place limitations on conventional repair methods. Wire-butt welding offers an alternative technique. ...

• People
• Lifts

An interview with Bill Marolt, new president and CEO of U.S. Skiing. ...

• Resort Development

At Squaw Valley USA in California's Sierra Mountains, High Camp offers a multitude of non-ski activities on top of the mountain; a recreation center for all seasons and interests. Whether or not it makes money, this may be a precursor to the future for ski areas. ...

• Area Management

Contrary to conventional wisdom, it is possible to own and operate a modest ski area and make a profit commensurate with the risk. The author examines patterns revealed in the study of 28 resorts undergoing reorganization and explains the probable causes of failure, ingredients for success, and possibility of resurrection. ...

• Lift Maintenance

Conducting and analyzing the results of predictive testing, motor-condition testing and monitoring performance can significantly extend the life and reliability of DC motor drives. ...

• People

A profile of Paul Testwuide, VP of operations at Vail, Colo., shows that his outrageous behavior and dedication to whatever job he does has garnered respect and love from every corner of his life, from the Golden Years at Vail to the present. ...

• International
• Research

Carrying out a worldwide census of skiing presented some problems, but the author persevered to gather approximate statistics on number of resorts, lifts and skier visits for a global comparison. ...

The Mountain International Opinion Survey conducted in Europe was identical to the National Skier/Boarder Opinion Survey conducted in the U.S. The similarity of the responses indicates that problems with skiing may be ubiquitous. ...

• Resort Development

An overview of interesting construction projects indicates that the industry is in a boom, spurred by the expansion plans of the big conglomerates. ...

• New Products
• Miscellaneous
• Consumer Equipment

New products on the market include: all-beef hot dogs (Big City Reds), luges (Hansen Sled), fencing (Centaur HTP), the Health EnviroMonitor (Davis Instruments), recreational trail markers (Almetek Industries), aerial photographs for trail maps (DeNador & Associates). ...

• Ski Area Profiles

Examination of the reasons behind the Chapter 7 of Valbois, the planned $120 million, four-season Idaho resort. ...

• Miscellaneous

An undergraduate describes his summer internship at Sno-engineering, and suggests that internships benefit ski industry employers and interns equally. ...

• Miscellaneous

The co-writers, from Pennsylvania's Camelback Ski Area and East Stroudsburg University, describe how their internship program works to the benefit of both organizations. ...

• Racing

A new property management reservation software package, First Resort, allows Whistler Chalets in British Columbia to manage two lodges and a wide range of rental properties with relative ease and maximum profitability. ...

In surprising numbers and ways, NSAA members around the country return to their areas to practice what they were preached at the "Future of the Industry" Summit in Charleston, S.C. for the NSAA national trade show. ...

• Marketing

An examination of the project Dan Nathanson of Warner Records developed with marketing entrepreneur Jack Turner to take advantage of an apparent link between snowboarders and alternative music fans. Ski areas have purchased exclusive rights to distribute the specially-created, alternative music CD in their region to attract customers with promotion...

• Marketing

Though public radio operates under certain advertising restrictions, a strong correlation between the demographic profile of skiers and public radio listeners suggests that ski area marketing directors should take another look at including it in their marketing mix. ...

• Conferences / Trade Shows
• Marketing
• NSAA

In the aftermath of NSAA's "Future of the Industry" Summit, a movement has begun that will focus marketing efforts on the 10-24 year old age bracket. This article explains the reasoning behind this decision. ...

• Marketing

Why music is the way for the ski industry to reach today's young people. ...

• Marketing

SAM applauds the decision of industry leaders to market to the 10 to 24 age group for continued growth. ...

SAM calls for strong industry response following Forest Service reversal of an approval granted to Santa Fe Ski Area for expansion. ...

• Marketing

The newly-formed Snow Sports Association for Women (SSAW) addresses industry lack of sensitivity to the female demographic. ...

• Miscellaneous

Longtime industry insider Tanler explains his reasons for launching a new trade magazine, Wintersport Business, based on confidence in the future of the ski and snowboard market. ...