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SAM Throwback

  • 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.

  • 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.

archives

For the past 50 years SAM Magazine has been reporting on, creating a platform for, and participating in the mountain resort industry. Over the years we have gathered a wealth of information which is now available through our online search. Whether it's an article from 1985 on snowmaking or a piece on terrain park signage from 2004, you will find it here.

To view our archives, please select a year from the drop-down menu above.

January 1996

186 reads 40 Years Of Chairlifts In North America An unusual chart reveals the growth pattern of chairlift construction from 1955 to the present. If You Build It, They Will Come The history of the ski industry is the history of uphill transportation. Beginning a new series of features about lifts and their impact. A New Look At The "...

November 1995

84 reads The Battle Over Olympic Power An examination of the struggle between the International Snowboard Federation (ISF) and the Federation International du Ski (FIS) over which body has the right to call itself the international federation for snowboarding, recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Exactly What Are Their Envi...

September 1995

88 reads Hitting The Target With Radio Examines how best for ski areas to reach their market through radio advertising. Negotiating Software New computer software aids in negotiating proposals and plans. Summer Construction Season A summary of construction at ski areas across the U.S. from the summer of 1995. Biggest, Baddest Sno...

July 1995

89 reads Are We On The Brink Of A Boom? The National Skier/ Boarder Opinion Survey indicates customers like the product. This article looks at how we motivate our customers and how we can do it better. How Disney Does It A look at how Disney uses a ski theme in their amusement park complete with a chairlift and fake snow. The article lo...

May 1995

Making Big Snow- Two Case Histories A look at how Mammoth Mountain Calif., is using portable fan guns with up to two thousand feet of hose to bring an arsenal of snowmaking equipment to special targets. A look at how Seven Springs, Penn., set a record for snowmaking using 817 tower-mounted HKDs. Playing The Global Game A look at how large ski ...

March 1995

Supershow At Palm Springs A schedule of events and speakers for the national trade show in May, 1995. Feature includes a guide to the many restaurants and golf courses in the region. A Great Ride- A Great Tram A look at the engineering feat of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram. The tram, of spectacular dimensions, is one of the more impressive of i...

January 1995

Lifts 1994 A review of all lifts installed in North America during the year 1994. Includes regional, type, and manufacturer breakdowns along with historical data. NSAA Moves To Revise Its Relationship With Asf An in-depth look at a controversial NSAA board resolution that calls for "substantial reduction" in funding the ski industry's lobbying...

November 1994

Maturing Market? Sure. Profit Potential? You Bet! An interview with Chuck Lewis on the future of the ski industry. Lewis, currently involved with Eldora in Colorado, explodes the myths and explores the realities of success in a flat skier-participation market. Safety On My Mind For the past four years, Sugarloaf, Vt., has actively promoted saf...

September 1994

The Acl Epidemic The number of skiers experiencing this serious injury remains high, but screening, research and a training program are producing favorable results. Substantial studies have been conducted over the years on the causes of ACL injuries. Of recent news is the fact that unstable knees are no more susceptible than the average knee to th...

July 1994

They Don't Speak French In Paris, Kentucky A breakthrough study based on the 1994 National Skier Opinion Survey (NSOS) reveals distinct regional differences among skiers and skier preferences. Includes regional breakdowns of skier residences and charts of survey responses cross-referenced by region. The Environment And Your Customer A report c...

May 1994

Harnessing The Skier Voice A call for ski areas to assemble the voice of skiers into a lobby that won't be muscled by government officials and biased small interest groups. NSAA's New Leader Gary McCoy of Mammoth Mountain, California, becomes the 15th elected head of NSAA. Hitting The Niche With The Point Ticket A financial analysis of the...

March 1994

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 ...

January 1994

Keeping Women Coming Back Jeannie Thoren is taking her women's equipment clinics to midwestern areas to make the sport user-friendly for women. This piece explores the merit of using specialized equipment for women to make the sport more accessible and enjoyable for them. Back To The Future A look at the re-engineered and reconstructed rope to...

November 1993

Ski School Track To Ceo Many resorts are being run by former ski instructors. Is this accidental or is the ski school the best source for future managers? Includes Gary Keidaisch of Stowe, Vt., Robin Smith of Swain Ski Center, N.Y., Jonathan Jenkins of Ski Roundtop, Pa., Norm Crerar of Silver Star Mountain Resorts, Hans Geier of Stratton, Vt., Jon...

September 1993

Small Areas As Breeders: Myth Or Reality? The head of the National Skier Opinion Survey (NSOS) tells where first-time skiers get their baptism in the sport, using data from the NSOS to support his position. Includes charts and graphs. Bob Bugg--A Portfolio In honor of Bob Bugg, who died in August. We present a retrospective look at his thirty ...

July 1993

Our Future Is Kids A return to the basics of keeping kids skiing. Demographic information indicates that 47 percent of skiers started skiing before the age of seventeen. To assume that they don't have the money is false, and as kids provide a great deal of support to the industry, it seems that they are one of the most enduring groups to target. ...

May 1993

It's The Snow, Stupid An examination of indications that people want to be outdoors in the winter but not necessarily on skis. Notes the increase in snow sports that represent many of the same attributes skiing had at its beginnings. Return Of The Goons A look at the new short skis, one of many new on-snow options that are surfacing. The "Big ...

March 1993

A Smoke-Free Area Base Lodge Using Appalachian Ski Mountain of North Carolina as an example, the author cites the benefits of having a smoke-free base lodge. Includes references to investigations by OSHA and the EPA which seem to be moving against tobacco usage in public places. Rethinking Ski Resort Brochures Results from the study and apprai...

January 1993

NSAA Starts Anew In Lakewood, Colorado SAM interviews new NSAA president, Michael Berry, and highlights recommendations for the new by-laws. A look at the changes in the home office and direction of NSAA. Moguls Made By Machine At Grand Targhee, Wyoming, crews are building neat rows of moguls that skiers find delightful. A tested and proven me...

November 1992

Lift Specialists Gather At Steamboat Symposium An overview of the OITAF/NACS symposium at Steamboat, Colo., and at the 15 papers presented. Usia Dies; NSAA Reborn Almost exactly three years after the USIA merger, the union of SIA and NSAA dissolves. NSAA chairman Chris Diamond sees a continuation of historic directions within a political struc...

September 1992

About The Cover At Mount Snow, Vermont, a local farm owner has been grazing a flock of 65 sheep on the hill as a natural lawn mower. The project has been very well received and is expected to continue for years to come. Is Elegance Essential? This feature takes a look at the trend of multi-million dollar spending on mountain restaurants, focus...

July 1992

Targeting The Elusive, Unfaithful Skier Market New research sponsored by USIA shows that people who say they are skiers are not necessarily the ones on the slopes. Called the USIA Vacation Planning Study, the research tells a story of many well-intentioned skiers who were never convinced to act. A comparison of the National Skier Opinion Survey (N...

May 1992

Book Reviews: The Overworked American; Waiting For The Weekend A review of the book The Overworked American, written by Juliet Schor. This well-received book examines the unexpected decline in leisure time for Americans, significant to the ski industry, which vies for customer's leisure time. Waiting For the Weekend, by Witold Rybczynski, is a nar...

March 1992

How Many Skiers Are There Anyway? Three authors of the three national surveys that count total skiers as a percentage of the national population explain their methodologies. The results of the National Sporting Goods Association, American Sports Data and Leisure Trends/Gallup surveys range from five million to 14 million skiers. This feature lets ...

January 1992

Mammoth Installs Snowmaking How Dave and Gary McCoy were able to complete a major snowmaking system, covering over 200 acres, in under five months and under budget. Mammoth Mountain, Calif., beat the odds with a strong, dedicated, diverse and skilled construction crew. The Americans With Disabilities Act It's been called an "Emancipation Procl...

November 1991

Sel Hannah 1913-1991 On August 31, Sel Hannah, who pioneered the art and science of designing ski mountains, died at the age of 78. To become familiar with his accomplishments is to begin to understand the very heart and soul of the ski industry itself. Presented are some recollections from people who knew him and worked with him. Valbois: Idah...

September 1991

The Fantasy's Not For Burning A look at moves initiated in some western ski towns to limit woodburning stoves and fireplaces in new construction. Although a skier icon for decades, the woodburning fireplaces have resulted in some very serious environmental concerns for maintaining air quality. Snow Fences That Work A look at the findings of Ro...

July 1991

The Limits To Mountain Resort Growth "Sustainable growth," a term that cannot be defined, became a watchword at a conference on mountain resort development organized by SAM and Snow Country. A comprehensive look at the lectures and events from this three-day seminar on resort development and the future of the industry. How The Brits See Us Att...

May 1991

Ski Areas Speak SAM's own ski area operator's survey produced stunning revelations on what area managers want and are thinking, particularly regarding the effectiveness of USIA. National marketing ranks low. Includes graphs and tables of results, two pages of quotes extracted from the comments on the surveys and an explanation of the methodology t...

March 1991

A Leader For Tough Times John Stahler will be stepping into the driver's seat as the chairman for the embattled USIA. Having proved himself in the ski business over 20 years, he is touted as a great asset to the association. Technology Ties-In Ticketing And Everything Else A look at the computer revolution within the ski industry. Written as a...

January 1991

Nordic As An Alpine Clone A look at the highly successful nordic area, Royal Gorge, Calif., and its innovative leader, John Slouber. Using the idea that most cross country skiers are cross-overs from alpine, Slouber has modeled his area after the alpine areas and marketed to alpine skiers. The end result is an area with 117,000 annual skier visits...

November 1990

Guessing Worth Doesn't Work Towards A Successful 21st Century Mountain Resort A review of the events that took place at the Mountain Resort Design and Development Seminar at Whistler, B.C., in Canada, which hosted speakers from a variety of backgrounds within the industry. They're Ready A look at the snowmaking efforts of Val di Fiemme, I...

September 1990

Environment And Growth A look at the fundamental differences between environment and growth. This feature is a background to a series of articles to come in future issues intended to differentiate between environmental regulation and quality-of life factors. Why Is This Water Blue? On peak days, the new waste water recycling system at Killingt...

July 1990

Why The 10.9 Percent Drop In Skiers For 1989? A review of the results from studies by the National Sporting Goods Association and the American Sports Data company on the levels of participation for skiing and other sports. Early indications point to the weather as the main culprit for the decline in participation in skiing, although there are othe...

May 1990

Peer Vs. Aspen-- The Final Chapter? Ski Trips Look Like Tourism At Marketing Show The Urgency For Enviromental Action The Season Of Weather Flip-Flops Radical Extremes Challenge X-C Re-Inventing The Small Ski Area Vail Revokes Lift Tickets 800 Numbers Must Come Out Of The Closet Reshaping The Ski Area-Japanes...

March 1990

Water Worries In Vermont Camaraderie Comes With Safety Industry Marketing Snowmaking Is 40 Years Old The Russians Were Here When Avalanches Are Made By Machines The Guns Of Denderite Outwitting Lines And Labor Overcoming Enviromental Obstacles The Indoor Sport Of Skiing Lights Up/Costs Down...

January 1990

Tough Times In Vermonts Mondo Condo Making The Customer Connection Celebs And Seminars At Ski Magazine Week Snowmaking And Grooming Win The World Cup Psia Moves To Marketing Punitive Damages Mid-Term Grade For Ski It To Believe It Gut Thoughts About The 90's Growth Trends-- Going Both Ways At Once Foreca...

September 1989

Killington And Pico Reach Merger Agreement Underground Fuel Storage Rental Reaction Rental Revolution New Usfs Permits-- Whether To Apply Employee Handbooks Where Marketing Efforts Work Views From The Old World Snow Country Ranks Resorts David Ingemie Takes The Helm Ski Area Advertising-- Whats Righ...

May 1989

A Leader Awaits The Call-- Jerry Groswold The Bear Comes On With A Roar A Room Of Their Own Grooming Vehicles 1989 Exploring Evacuation Equipment/Procedure Marrs Meets The New Generation Of Lifts The Double Loop Monocable Wall Street Perspective More To A Plume Than Meets The Sky The Difference Skiers Ma...

January 1989

One Area Or An Industry Howard Head Salute Turn Safety Into Etiquette One Area Or An Industry Small Area Success Story Crossroads In Groomer Design Attracting New Skiers Crossroads In Groomer Design Attracting New Skiers Restoring Rental Sanity Post Accident Rental Report Restoring Rental Sanit...

November 1988

The Great Ranking Adventure Research Reports-- Skiers-Where Are They? Legal Scene-- On-Site Witness Form Safety Statute Comes To New York Montana Statute Struck Down By Court Reciprocal Tickets Spread Ski Patrol Changes Insurance Coverages Hungry Skier-- Killer-Food Breakfasts The Burning Of A Business A...

September 1988

Oitaf Symposium A Major Success Keeping Safe-- Safety Incentive Programs X-Country Connection-- Public Vs.Private Employment Crisis Call To Action Signs-- Mammoth Name Droppers An Exercise In Teamwork Wildlife And Ski Areas-- Living Together Designing For The Senses A Revolution In Ski Teaching User-Frie...

July 1988

Ramps, Clamps And Other Tricks Legal Scene-- Skier's Responsibility Stowe Pigs-- Story Without End Tracks Made For Children Designing Desktop Publications Tree Planting Techniques New Marketing Directions Needed Debating Development-- Lolo Peak Fall 1988 Media Roundup Season Passes-- Attitudes & Stra...

May 1988

12-Passenger Gondolas Arrive Qmc Debuts At June Mountain Blackcomb's ExpANSIon A Posse At Purgatory-- Ski Thieves In Remembrance Of Willy Legal Signs-- Allowable Advertising B77-Modified Procedures To Go Up, Go Underground Cross Country Report-- New Trends Alpine Report-- A Good Season Overall Ski I...

March 1988

Evacuation Device For Detachables X-Country Connection-- Snow Farming Planning For Detachable Lifts Ski Resorts And The Environment Wilderness-- How Wild Should It Be? Wilderness-- Untrammeled Places Signs-- The Message On The Mountain Signs-- Management Techniques In-House Signage Revolution A Lift Is E...

January 1988

The Greening Of The Trail On-Line-- Desktop Publishing Rental Shop-- Skiable Ski Equipment? Snow Gun Performance Testing Mature Industry-- Marketing Redesign Preventing Pipeline Freeze-Up Private Cross Country On Public Land Roles For Chart Recorders X-Country Connection-- Warming Huts Making Tillers For...

November 1987

Ski Development, Wildlife & Environment A New Hill On Capitol Hill X-Country Connection-- Myths Vs. Reality Where's The Help? A Picture Can Save A Thousand Words Progress After (Haskell) Burial The Ski Area As A Tv Set The Grand Visions Of Bill Healy Wire Rope Q & A Reforming A Restaurant Ov...

September 1987

Where's The Help? Ski Russia And Beyond Where The Lifts Are Being Built Oitaf Congress-- Innovation And Conquest A Win-Win Solution A Cooperative Miracle Michigan Maverick The Unbelievable May Be Here-- Auto Snow Do Lift Ticket Rates Deserve Publicity? Can Cross Country Trails Be Profitable? Junior ...

July 1987

National Opinion Survey-- Clear Messages NSAA Convention Highlights B-77-- Progress At Reno Off-Season Goldmine Ski School-- NSAA Looks At A Better Way Sponsors And Skiing Commission Report On America Outdoors The Value Of Video Consumer Ski Shows Marketing Departments Under Glass Here's Where New Y...

May 1987

Snowmaking In Place When Needed Winter Of Discontent Bargains May Not Be Good Deals Ski Industry Focus Marketplace--Ski The Californias Hit Home Best-Ever Season At Nordic Areas Mixed Alpine Season-1986-87 New Day Dawning For Cross Country The Great Interski Lift Switch Ski School-- Report From Interski ...

March 1987

Keeping Safe-- Fire Facts Feeding The Hungry Skier-- Accounting Ski School-- Return To Elegance On-Line-- Software For Market Surveys Defusing Development Aspen's Crown-- The Silver Queen World's First 8-Seater Detachable Quad At June Beach Front Planning/Slope Development Cogeneration-- Using Power To C...

January 1987

Grand Scale Redevelopment XC Design Symposium George Gillett Speaks His Mind Contrarian Development Approach Applying Psychology To Accidents 1985-86 Economic Analysis X-Country Connection-- The Perfect Track Catering To Kids The New Tax Law-- Material Participation Converting Dinosaurs Lifts 1986--...

November 1986

X-Country Connection-- Hustler Mows Snow Ski School-- Racing For Profits Racing-- Fall Prepping New Drive And Control System Colorado Tort Reform Olympic Update-- The Word Is Nakiska Tax Reform Area ExpANSIon 1986 Whistler's Peak Chair Genus Skier-A Research Report Selecting An Advertising Agency ...

September 1986

Management-- Employment-At-Will Doctrine On-Line-- Project Planning Verbal And Non-Verbal Skills The Man Who Managed The Single Aspen's Hotel Jerome Is Restored Ski Deck Ski Schools-- The Future Is Here Stowe Pig Farm Still A Mess Sam's 25th Anniversary Issue A Sam Scrapbook Skier-President-- Gerald R. F...

July 1986

Publicizing Milestones Liability Insurance-- Some Strategies B-77 Standard-- Task Forces Of Nashville Utah's Four Marketeers Ski School-- Computerizing The Ski School The Interconnect Impact NSAA Convention Highlights Ski Publication Look-Alikes Mission To China Fall 1986 Media Roundup Sell With A C...

May 1986

When Trails Get Homologated Capturing Runaway Heat Oversnow Vehicles 1986 A's And D's For College Courses Tp Boot Crisis--Thermoplastics Must Go X-Country Connection-- Skating On-Line-- Up-Date On Pc's Never-Ever Writers Encounter Skiing Racing-- Care & Mngt Of Volunteers The Season 1985-86 B77 ...

March 1986

Reactivated 10th Mt.Div. Is No Ski Army New Ski Area Approved In California Hungry Skier-- Varietal Hamburgers Racing-- Course Preparation Liability Tort Reform Studied In Colo. Vermont's Aquatic Biota Protected Public Lands Progress Ski Country Style Attracting Conference Dollars A Conference Center For...

January 1986

Winter Park And Its Quads Developing An Urban Ski Facility New York May Be Due For Development High-Capacity Tramways Must Not Derope Report On Keystone Lift Accident Of Weldors And Welding Book Review-- Cross Country 1984-85 Economic Analysis Why Chair Dampers Stepping Back To Manual Controls Fitne...

November 1985

Lift Contract Award--Controversy-Sunapee X-Country Connection-- Economic Realities Keeping Safe-- Food Service Hazards NSAA Members Tour European Facilities Gear Box Inspections-Different Opinions Ski School-- Sexism Book Review-- 101-Plus Marketing Ideas Communicate, Participate, Motivate The Behavior Of Cha...

September 1985

Stratton Slashes Lift Prices On-Line-- Critical Paths To Profit State Studies Greylock For Cross Country Marketplace-- Small Area Market Research Rental Shop-- Keeping Track Of Bindings Adam's Choice-- Naming Trails Management-- Two Faces Of Motivation Compactors Vs.Rollers--The Differences Thinking About Bas...