Browse Our Archives

SAM Throwback

  • Move Over, Adrenaline

    March 2018

    Move Over, Adrenaline

    Cross Country Mountain biking looks to be one of the first potential summer operations to be able to open amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out this article from March 2018.

  • Year-Round Passes

    March 2020

    Year-Round Passes

    Season pass sales are being heavily impacted by COVID-19, one product resorts are looking at are year-round passes.

January 1997

  • Push to The Latest: No
  • Lifts 1996
    A strong year in western lift construction pushed total VTFH to an all-time high. Plus, the number of detachables continues to increase.
  • Construction Site
    Ski area engineers and crews invent surprising and creative solutions to construction problems at: Killington, Vt.; Diamond Peak, Nev.; Mohawk Mountain, Conn.; Keystone, Colo.; Gore Mountain, N.Y.; and Hunter Mountain, N.Y.
  • Strong Industry Confidence Level
    A survey shows ski area industry leaders are generally confident that the business is healthy and can provide a good future for those willing to change with the times.
  • It's 1997, Do You Know Where The Kids Are?
    For 50 years, the Ford Sayre program has introduced children to skiing in a small New Hampshire community. The success of this and other programs such as Kidslope in Denver and Enrichment in Vermont provides ideas and inspiration for other areas.
  • A Lift That Was A Beacon
    The inaugural article of a new series on classic lifts features the Emerald Mountain lift from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. When residents unloaded the Constam aerial / surface lift from a boxcar in 1947, it marked major changes taking place in the emerging ski industry. Includes sidebars on E.G. Constam and the boat tow at Howelsen Hill.
  • Beyond Visualization
    Realistic and accurate pictures of proposed mountain projects are produced by computer simulation using CAD software to give area managers a precise rendering for the public and regulatory agencies.
  • The Lift That Became A Ride
    The six-passenger, stand-up lift at Tremblant, Quebec, was conceived to move guests from the parking lots to the base area, 100 feet higher and beyond a building. Unexpectedly, it became a popular, fun ride as well.
  • 1995-96 Economic Analysis
    The trend was: up in skier visits, operating profit and profit before taxes, but snow caused variations ski area performance in different regions of the country.
  • What's New?
    Huskie utility vehicles (Haul Master), Electronic Inspection System rental shop software (Asset Management Technologies), Regupol floor tiles (Atlantic Rubber) and RediStart Micro starter switches (Benshaw, Inc.) are new products on the market.
  • Races For All
    Ski racing at areas around the country has diversified from a strictly alpine focus. Snowboarding, carving, family events and special events open to all have become more and more common as areas try to provide something for everyone.
  • Breckenridge Creates A University
    How Breckenridge, Colo., improved and enlarged their training program for a staff of 400 ski instructors.
  • Getting The Brits To Ski Our Slopes
    An account of the Ski USA gala organized by Bernie Weichsel for the London Daily Mail ski show. The dinner featured speeches given by Vail's Adam Aron and Les Otten of the American Skiing Company, a match-up described as "a brilliant bonking between two of America's premier heavyweights."
  • The Yan Aftermath
    An examination of the ways different areas have dealt with the problem of retrofitting, replacing or monitoring Yan detachables designed by Lift Engineering.
  • Some Friends Remember Bob Ficker
    Friends share their memories in a tribute to well-known wire rope splicer Bob Ficker.
  • 1996 Index Of Articles In Sam
    Listing of articles including title, author and issue month for 1996.
  • Preserving Skiing's History
    A request for the submission of stories and artifacts to preserve the skiing heritage of North America.
  • Bill Janss--1918-1996
    A tribute to Bill Janss, the developer of Sun Valley, Idaho, and Snowmass, Colo.