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September 2019

September 2019

FEATURED STORY

  • Building Snowmaking Teams

    Resorts have realized it takes a lot more than a decent wage to successfully hire and retain good snowmakers.   Employee hiring and retention isn’t getting any easier for the snowsports industry. Finding snowmakers is especially difficult, and we’re not even talking about keeping them around longer than one season. The antiseptic job descriptions that say, “Must be able to lift, pull, carry, or drag 75 lbs.” omit the reality that applicants must be able to do so “on steep inclines, postholing through deep snow, in subzero temperatures, handling lethally high water pressures, high voltage electric and compressed air, alone, in the dark.” However, while being a snowmaker...

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At Steamboat, a combo of morale-boosting perks, respectful management, good training, and commemorative hoodies leads to 90 percent retention, and 100 percent pride.
Photo: Larry Pierce

Building Snowmaking Teams

Resorts have realized it takes a lot more than a decent wage to successfully hire and retain good snowmakers.

Boss Ladies

We profile four female leaders who are part of a growing trend as more women earn seats at the executive table.

Brave New World

Chris Diamond's insightful new book, Ski Inc. 2020, analyzes the consolidation trend and its potential impacts on all winter resorts.

SAM Summit Series 2019 — Part 5: What Does the Future Hold?

Four mentors provide genuine—and sometimes pointed—answers to questions from mentees about our industry's future.

Construction Site :: September 2019

Major projects are in full swing at resorts across North America, including big lifts, snowmaking overhauls, and a base area renaissance.

Leveraging Influence

Working with social media influencers can be a slippery slope, but it can also boost your marketing in ways other avenues can't.

Publisher's Memo :: September 2019

PEAK Navigator, a new leadership development opportunity.

News and Views :: September 2019

Impact of Vail acquiring Peak, free NASTAR, poll results, people news.

B77 Update :: September 2019

Nondestructive testing is a primary means of ensuring that lift components are structurally sound.

Safety is a Year-Round Job

A look at the steps some leading resorts are taking to keep staff healthy and on the job.

Finding Staff

A tight labor market is forcing resorts to rethink and expand their staff recruitment efforts.

Mountain Spy :: September 2019

Facebook Messenger mission: "Can I buy an Epic or Ikon pass?

Equipment Maintenance Part I :: Understanding Lubricants

Learning why certain lubricants are used for certain applications will help prevent your resort’s machinery from literally screeching to a halt.

Profiting from Uphillers

Snow King, Wyo., turned complaints about its uphill policy into a winning strategy for everyone.

Lobbying for Change on Climate

A new partnership aims to alter the conversation in Washington.

Idea Files :: September 2019

Thermometer calibrator, pipe welding crib, chair winch.