• A Hard Look At Ski Instruction
    NSAA and PSIA have formed a task force to address the relationship between ski instruction and skier dropouts, and to identify issues facing PSIA such as whether they should be involved in marketing, giving equipment advice and selling ski lessons.
  • The Vital Local Markets
    Studies show that often overlooked local markets may be a bigger and better source of business than many ski area operators realize, as sampling errors may cause resorts to underestimate the size of local markets.
  • A Future For Crushed Ice
    The Japanese are applying new technology to an old idea with good results for a high price, investing huge sums of money to lay down crushed ice for reliable early skiing. The article explains why and how they do it, including flow charts, illustrations and specs.
  • Measuring Ski Area Value
    Good, reliable data has been developed that will facilitate future area valuations. Article identifies four indicators of market value, establishes a valuation methodology which yields a reasonable range of projection parameters and includes charts. (Second in a two-part series.)
  • The Silver Bullet Ski Express
    Maine's Sunday River reached into ski history for its latest "innovation" in people-movers when they purchased a train for winter service. Article details the introduction, operation and logistics of the venture as well as barriers that had to be overcome. Sidebar: Ski Trains in Colorado's Future, by Claire Walter.
  • A Borrower Be
    The look of a financial statement has a lot to do with how effectively a ski area can borrow money. Feature includes some advice, an instructive case study, charts, graphs and key figures.
  • A Spring Showcase Of New Products
    Software (BSS), Engine power and hydraulic equipment (Prinoth), Portable Actuator (TurboCristal), Summer Seat Covers (Ski Area Supplies), Snow pedestals (HTM Hydrotech), Hands free video (Head-Trip), Electrical lab testing, Snow gun bracket system (Sno.economics), Automatic Snowmaking (Sno.engineering), Ski ticket hanger (John Amann Sons Co.), Speed drives (CegelecAuto), Recreational management software (Preferred Technologies Group), Rubber sheave liners (Hunter Industrial Group), Fencing (Reliable Racing Supply), Polyurethane nozzle tip (SnowShot) and a Snow tower (SMI).
  • 58 Years Young: The New Caberfae Ski Area.
    Caberfae, Mich., never died--it just faded away temporarily. Now, reborn and revitalized with new peaks, trails, lifts and amenities, this Michigan area is again a force. Article covers history and recent events in the life of this historic area.
  • Restrooms And Toilets- Making Them Better
    Too often, restrooms and toilets are taken for granted at ski resorts when, as important customer services, they can significantly reflect on the bottom line. Article covers toilet stalls, counters, doors, mid-day cleaning, restroom location, lighting, ventilation, floor materials, towels vs. blowers, lockers and benches, baby changing and graffiti.
  • A Toilet On The Mountain
    Sugarbush, Vt., needed an inexpensive and environmentally safe toilet at mid-mountain.The use of Clivus Multrum recycling toilets proved to be less expensive than costly septic systems. First operated as a demonstration project under the state's rigorous environmental guidelines, the toilets have since gained approval of all authorities, recording a drop in total human waste volume of 95 percent.
  • Tougher Training Terrain
    At Attitash, New Hampshire, ski school director Tom Chasse designed a terrain garden with bumps, curves and obstacles for intermediate and advanced skiers to work on specific skills. Two groomers took eight hours to create this park, called "Attitash Adventure Workshop Terrain Course."
  • Searching For Supermodels
    In December, 1993, Killington, Vt., hosted a fashion model search for the Elite modeling agency, which was looking to tap into the healthy and glamorous appeal of skiing. Over 100 contestants entered the event, hoping for a shot at a modeling position with the agency. Killington granted a contract to the winner to become a spokesmodel for the area.
  • A Sarajevo From Another Time
    Linda Goodspeed reflects on past and present stays in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. A look back at the writer's experience of the Olympic years in light of the civil war that has torn the country apart since that time.
  • The Rest Of The Story
    Discusses the merits of small customer response cards in orientation packages. The return is effective, low-cost feedback.
  • Computer Users: Computers As Time Wasters
    Offers advice on following topics: unnecessary expansion of work, unauthorized computer use, loss of data, viruses, waiting, learning/ training, lack of standardization, overkill / over-sophistication, pursuit of perfection, fiddling and futzing.
  • Feeding The Hungry Skier: Food Poison
    Article outlines the risks of E. Coli bacteria in food service, citing guidelines and appropriate measures to ensure a safe environment.
  • Snowboarding- Controversy Or Hype?
    An attempt to distinguish perceived from actual on-hill conflict between snowboarders and skiers. Includes testimonials from several ski resorts.
  • Bill Berry-- Two Personal Recollections.
    Two obituaries paying tribute to the life and accomplishments of I. William Berry, the venerable ski writer who died in February, 1994.
  • Feeling Good About NSAA
    Editorial looks at the state of affairs at NSAA 15 months after reorganization. Kudos are given to the NSAA leadership, particularly chairman Chris Diamond and president Michael Berry, but concern is expressed over potential fault lines developing over differing needs of large and small ski areas.