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  • Ongoing Debate: The Pros And Cons Of Helmets For Skiing
    An examination of the issue of helmet usage, a growing trend in the industry. After examining the pros and cons, respected safety specialist Norm Sothan weighs in on the side of helmet usage, while an interview with Dr. Jake Shealy urges viewing the dilemma from a wider perspective.
  • Energizing A Partnership
    SAM interviews new Forest Service Chief Michael Dombeck to find out what's ahead for the crucial relationship between the ski industry and its largest landlord. Yes, it's politics as usual, but Dombeck promises some vigor in the management of alpine recreation.
  • That's Entertainment!
    Adventure Ridge, Vail's new mid-mountain playground, offers an abundance of activities to occupy guests in the evening: snowmobiling, snowtubing, ice skating, night skiing and a lighted terrain park, for starters. It has been so successful and profitable that the concept will be expanded for next season.
  • Shaky Starts, Better Ends
    SAM's annual spring review of the 1996-97 ski season. For the most part underwhelming, it was pretty good in the Midwest and Rocky Mountains and pretty mediocre on the two coasts.
  • Bob Heron, Lift Pioneer
    Renowned ropeway engineer Bob Heron has made an indelible mark on the ski industry during a remarkable career filled with firsts. Includes "A Lift to Victory on Riva Ridge," an article by Morten Lund (reprinted from Skiing Heritage) about the portable tramway Heron designed for the 10th Mountain Division's famous assault in World War II.
  • NSAA Celebrates Its 35th
    How and why NSAA came into being 35 years ago at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
  • A Salesman In Cyberspace
    Rod Hanna, Internet guru at Steamboat, Colo., says the Internet will be the sales and marketing tool of the future. He outlines the ways Steamboat is using their website, illustrated by the Book-It online form used by central reservations.
  • Getting Kids: It Won't Be Easy!
    A cautionary note based on societal dynamics as the ski industry seeks market growth, and a call for realistic goals in the pursuit of the youth market.
  • The Everlasting Importance Of Hydrants
    Guidelines for purchasing, installing, testing and maintaining snowmaking hydrants.
  • Grooming Vehicles 1997
    A look at what the manufacturers are offering in on-snow vehicles for the 1997-98 season. Includes table of grooming vehicle statistics.
  • The Case Of The Missing Code
    When the author made the surprising discovery that roller chain used on ski lifts--or any type of people carrier--was not covered by an ANSI code, he went to work. After field inspection and testing, he developed a code for the approximately 110 lifts that do use roller chain.
  • Sam Idea Files
    Innovative and creative ideas from ski areas around the country: diapers to control oil leaks in the Midwest, spare tire fencing from Kissing Bridge, N.Y., and PVC bolt covers from Camelback, Pa.
  • Retaining Employees With Incentives
    Free skiing is just not enough in today's competitive job market to attract and retain employees. Ski areas around the country are building housing, having parties, giving away cash and prizes and expanding benefit and salary packages.
  • Add Skiing To The Mix
    Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in western Pennsylvania was already rated one of the top ten spas in the country, offering a wide range of spring, summer and fall activities. When they wanted to expand into winter activities, what was more logical than skiing?
  • Technology In The Works
    New lift technology is everywhere: a Poma detachable double for Ruthie's Run at Aspen, Squaw Valley, Calif., gets North America's first funitel from Garaventa-CTEC, and the Poma/Otis partnership develops a new sort of inclined elevator at Snowmass, Colorado.
  • Crossovers Fuel Boarding
    The National Skier/Boarder Opinion Survey (NSOS) shows that one of the most dramatic changes on the slopes is in the makeup of the snowboarding population, which has been affected by large numbers of crossover skiers.
  • Mvp: Liz Ambrosino, Jiminy Peak, Mass.
    Liz Ambrosino, executive assistant to president Brian Fairbank at Jiminy Peak, Mass., wears many hats with enthusiasm, creativity and boundless patience.
  • Critically Ill Kids Get A Chance To Ski
    Ski industry personnel and companies have donated equipment and services to bring skiing to the Double "H" Hole in the Woods Ranch near Glens Falls, N.Y., a camp for critically ill children and their families.