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  • China Celebrates Winter
    This cover shot by Claire Walter was taken at an elaborate opening ceremony at China's annual Heilongjiang International Ski Festival at Yabuli Ski Center. It illustrates a feature story on how the industry is growing in northeast China that begins on page 42.
  • Industry Reports
    ASTM (Helmet) Standards Approved; U.S. To Host Record Number of World Cup Events; Colorado Skier Visits Down Slightly; Cross-Country Calls for Standardized Bindings; Gunstock (NH) Out of Debt; Snowsports Equipment Sales Up; Ski Maine Forms New Organization; Midwest Fresh Tracks Circ, to Expand; Mt. La Crosse, Wis. Sold; Elk Meadows, Utah, Awaits State Word on Permit; B77 Suggests Delaying Dynamic Testing; Burke, Blue Hills and Indianhead in Trouble; Leitner Buys Poma; Correction; People; Supplier News; Supplier Personnel.
  • NSAA's Growth Model
    The feature section opens with David's description of the National Ski Areas Association's 15-year Model for Growth, introduced at its annual convention in Orlando. The model is designed to be used independently by ski areas as they choose. The research that went into the model was conducted by Nolan Rosall of RRC Associates. (see a Speakout about the model in the same issue on page 12.)
  • Keeping Track of Inventory
    This is a roundup of the software packages available to automate and simplify keeping track of all the info on rental and retail inventory. These systems keep track of maintenance, calculate returns and warn shop personnel when its time to tune a pair of skis.
  • The Last Frontier
    Claire went to China and found a citizenry ready to take up skiing. This article describes the efforts of some North American and Chinese companies who are joining forces to try and capitalize on some International marketing and development.
  • Pipe Groomers 2000
    Here's the latest in halpipe groomers from the companies who distribute in North America with a brief history of the development of the first, the Pipe Dragon. A table of specifications accompanies the article.
  • Want a Killer Site?
    Dysart describes the software available to let resorts design their own effective Websites without hiring a highly paid consultant.
  • Places and Faces
    This is a montage of the people and activities at the year's industry trade shows and conferences. Covered events: CCSAA at Granlibakken, Calif.; LMS and Snowmaker's 13 at Butternut, Mass.; Canada West conference at Kelowna, B.C.; Rocky Mountain Lift Assn. in Grand Junction, Colo.; NSAA East Regional at Mount Snow; NSAA National in Orlando.
  • TV Blitz Lures Sliders
    This article describes how the Oregon Snowsports Industry Association turned a $25,000 windfall from great attendance at their consumer show into two of the best months ever for attendance at Oregon resorts.
  • Whistler Flashback
    Les Anthony describes the success of the party of the century hosted by Whistler/Blackcomb for 4,000 past and current employees.
  • Successfully Battling Property Taxes
    This article describes how to go about checking the resort's property assessment to make sure calculations are correct. A large number of companies in other industries have found mistakes that cost them money, says the author, who makes the argument it's just good business practice to check up on the assessor's math and basis for tax calculations.
  • Sawmill Pays for Itself in Savings on Lumber
    The article describes how Ian Honey and his family earn extra money and save lumber and labor costs for Grand Targhee, Wyo., by milling lumber from trail clearing that is used for a variety of construction projects at the mountain.
  • Open for Summer?
    This is a primer on how to document summer incidents properly to avoid legal trouble in case of lawsuits.
  • Seth Says
    The inimitable Slats Grabski tells Seth about how the season-pass war has returned as resorts are looking for capital for summer projects.
  • Letter to the Editor
    John's letter is in response to Chris Brink's Speak Out from May 2000. John's argument is that the industry would be well-served to help small, locals-only ski areas stay competitive by helping create an emergency fund or some other sort of initiative to keep the little guys going.
  • What's New
    This edition of What's New was exclusively food, beverage and hospitality. Items displayed: espresso cart from Espresso Carts and Supplies of New Jersey; steam kettle by Groen; PC panels by Liberty Electronics; sink from Swan; silverware bucket and cutting board cleaner from C&K Manufacturing; oven from Blodgett; shower hot-and-cold valve by Tempress; popcorn machine from Nemco; cappuccino machine from Cecilware; griddle from Thermodyne; serving platters and a cup dispenser from Tomlinson and an oven mitt/baking pad from Wells Lamont.
  • SAM Idea Files
    An hour meter from Grainger used to record use on ATVs at Ski Roundtop, Pa. and Afton Alps, Minn.; A transport basket for various items fabricated in-house at Sugarloaf, Maine and snowmobile storage made from a sea cargo container mounted above ground at Royal Gorge X-C Center in Calif.
  • Blue Pages
    Soliciting Kids (Children's ONline Privacy Protection ACT); Rethinking Wind Chill (new formula in offing?); The Numbers Game (Booth Creek, Vail, Intrawest and ASC quarterly earnings); Environmental Charter Launches; Going Into Labor (labor issues, organizing at resorts and California's Industrial Welfare Commission's vote on workweek exemption); Viva Las Vegas...But When? (SIA's decision to move its show to Jan or Feb).
  • The End Page
    The Ultimate White Wedding (vows exchanged at Loveland, Colo.); Boys Will Be Girls (Dress-up day at Mt. Rose, Nev. for a discounted ticket; You Can Never Outsmart the Boss (cartoon).
  • 2000 Metro Newspaper Directory
    This listing includes newspapers with special ski sections and winter travel promotions in the major North American markets.
  • Asking Some Questions About NSAA
    This Speakout raises the issue of the NSAA Model for Growth unveiled at its annual convention in Orlando and poses a number of questions regarding the model intended to generate discussion in the industry. The Model projects how growth in skier visits can be acheived over a 15-year period by increasing the introduction of skiing to beginners and increasing the retention rate. This Speakout asks how can this be acheived during a time when all individual sports are dropping participants (among others). There is an accompanying feature article explaining the model on page 39.
  • NSAA and Supplier Relations
    This Speakout lauds NSAA's efforts at Orlando, yet brings up the question of supplier relations. David sees the unity that was once displayed eroding in small ways, i.e. members getting registration bags while suppliers didn't and the closing of the Universal Studios tour to suppliers. It's time to welcome suppliers as partners in growth in every way.
  • An Inside/Outside View of Marketing
    The former communications director of Purgatory Resort explains that the ski industry is sorely lacking in marketing muscle and good research methodology. He says it's time to wake up and start down the road of creative marketing.
  • Publisher's Memo
    Jennifer's publisher's memo explains a couple of subtle changes in the magazine to make things easier for the reader. She developed the ideas during a behind-the-scenes tour of Universal Studios at the NSAA Convention in Orlando. Part two announces the launch of Stable Management, the return of Cathy Itri in sales for Stable Management, a change of location of the Boston office and a salute to the current year's SAMMY Award winners..