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POWDERHORN SOLD
Powderhorn Resort, Colo., was sold at a live auction Aug. 4 for $2,083,950. The auction consisted of six lots—two sold to one bidder for $1.4 million and the other four to separate buyers. The first lot was the ski area, including lifts, day lodge, parking areas, office, two maintenance shops, rolling stock, and retail shop with inventory. And the second lot was a 700-acre parcel of land.

Former Vail exec Andy Daly, along with Ken and Tom Gart (formerly of Gart Bros.), were behind the new corporation that bought the two lots—Powderhorn Partners. The group plans on turning the area into a profitable winter resort destination.

NEW RECORD FOR SKIER VISITS
U.S. ski areas set a new all-time record of 60.54 million skier/snowboarder visits during the 2010/11 season, according to the final Kottke End of Season Survey. This marks the second time that the ski industry has broken the 60-million visit threshold, representing a 0.6 percent increase from last season’s 59.8 million visits, and a 1 percent increase from the industry’s previous record of 60.5 million visits set in 2007/08.

The record is thanks to a late-season surge in visits—it’s estimated that nearly 50,000 skier/snowboarder visits occurred over the July Fourth holiday alone, in which nearly a dozen ski areas were either still in operation, or had reopened.

OBITUARIES
Samuel A. DeGonge, founding member of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys (ASDA), died on July 8 at the age of 77. DeGonge spent 40 years defending the ski industry in his home state of New Jersey.

Jim Gill, former manager of Peak 9 at Breckenridge Ski Resort and founder of the Summit Foundation, died July 1 at the age of 66.

Olympic silver medalist Jeret “Speedy” Peterson committed suicide this past July. Peterson was one of the most accomplished freestyle aerialists in U.S. history, compiling 15 World Cup podiums and seven victories in six years.

Dick Reuter, part of the original founding team of Kirkwood, died July 4.

Thaddeus Thorne, founder of Attitash, died June 25 at the age of 87.

PEOPLE
In New Hampshire, Lyndon State College has appointed Sean Doll as head of the Ski Resort and Snowsport Management program. . .At Attitash, John D. Lowell is the new GM. . . Wildcat announced that Josh Boyd will be its GM. . .Cranmore announced that its F&B operation will be turned over to Centerplate with Michael Rennie at the helm.

Mount Snow, Vt., announced the following promotions: Jason Palmer to director of F&B; Jennifer Langdon as GM of lodging; and Vinnie Lewis as marketing and event operations director. The resort also announced the appointment of David Meeker as resort communications director, and his wife Kimberly Meeker has become a group sales manager. . .At Bromley, Peter Dee was named director of guest services, Rick Goddard director of mountain operations, Michael van Eyck director of marketing, and Tom Kingery is now director of HR.

Windham Mountain, N.Y., appointed David “Chip” Seamans to GM and COO.

Ed Youmans is the new COO of Mountain Creek, N.J.

Josh Faber was promoted to director of operations for Ohio and Pennsylvania for Peak Resorts.

In Ohio, Greg Fisher is the new GM at Mad River Mountain. . .Jason Boyd took over the GM position at Boston Mills/Brandywine.

Heading west, Christian Knapp was named VP of marketing for Aspen Skiing Company, Colo. . .Vail Resorts named Kirsten A. Lynch chief marketing officer. . .Beaver Creek promoted Greg Johnson to director of mountain operations.

At Squaw Valley, Calif., Chevis Hosea is the new VP of development.

Eaglecrest in Alaska tapped Ray Gardner to head up the ski area.

Whistler/Blackcomb named Chris McLeod industry film and communications supervisor.

SUPPLIER NEWS
Dan Roy announced a new company, LOR-DIG. The company’s primary product is the Aerial Tramway Maintenance & Inspection Database System, which was placed into sales production in April 2010. Bear Creek, Pa., went live with the database in March 2011. Two new clients, Camelback and Elk Mountain, also in Pennsylvania, will both be going live in November/December 2011. For more information, call (717) 645-7953 or e-mail dan@lordig.com.

Transworld Media announced the promotion of Mike Lewis to editor in chief at Transworld Business.

Leisure Trends Group announced that Charlie Cooper is now president of the company.

Snowflex announced that it is building two new beginner slopes in Kilternan, Ireland for the Ski Club of Ireland.

VacationRoost announced that it will be handling reservations at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, B.C.