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  WHAT'S YOUR AREA WORTH? If you're planning on selling or tackling a major upgrade, here's a formula to determine the value of your resort.READ MORE LIFTS 2005-NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT In terms of numbers, the lifts built in 2005 hit an all-time low. But the news is not all bad. PLAYING SECOND CHAIR With the cost of new lifts...

  CONSTRUCTION SITE It was a busy summer as a new area comes on line and more real estate and new terrain will greet this winter's guests. TOWARD A COLORFUL FUTURE How are areas tackling the emerging markets that will make up the new majority? Three areas talk about their plans. WHAT'S IN YOUR PARK? This look at the latest ...

DAVID HAMILTON ROWAN: 1927-2005 A look back on the career and words of the SAM founding publisher.READ MORE 2005-2006 MEDIA DIRECTORY The annual round-up of special winter sports sections in major metropolitan newspapes and industry-specific magazines across North America. HAPPY CAMPERS Specialty clinics and camps are a great way...

101 reads   WOULD YOU LIKE FRIES WITH THAT? The pros and cons of letting franchises into the mountain community.READ MORE CUTTERS CAMP '05 The third annual Cutters Camp offered up ideas in design and operations. THE HAPPY FACTOR As many major companies know, happy employees create happy guests... all of which is good for...

The Best and Worst Ads of '04-'05 Our second annual look at what hit and what missed in resort advertising. By the Numbers The habits and preferences of our guests are changing. Do you know what they are looking for at your resort? Bending the Line Some obstacles are unavoidable as these lift builders found out. But instead of relocating t...

Figuring Trail Density When it comes to putting customers on the hill, sometimes more is less. The Colors of Winter Diversity experts and consultants from the general business world explored a multicultural future with winter resort execs at Steamboat.READ MORE 2004 National Snowmaking Survey This study, along with a similar one completed ...

94 reads Industry Report Mountain High on the Block? ASC Refinances $320 Million. Deer Valley Joins Ski Utah Interconnect. World Lift Ticket Survey Released. Intrawest Unveils Winter Park Village. New Urban Ski Area in Colorado? Freeze on Ice. People. PistenBully Sells 2,000th Groomer. Supplier News. Visions of the Future What does the ...

Industry Reports Apollo bows out of Vail. Seven Springs to Run Laurel. Lone Peak Suit Tossed. SIA Partners with VERB. A Tamarack closes, while another opens. Snow Valley for Sale. Two Pacific Northwest Areas Get OK to Expand. People. Supplier People. Supplier News. NSAA Chairman David Crowley Interview NSAA Chairman David Crowley gives his vie...

A new guest editor and more Guest Editor Bill Benneyan. Measuring the Growth Model With the industry's new mandate to convert new skiers and snowboarders, here's a look at some successful programs. Does it Pay to be Green? Industry Reports Steamboat Lawsuit settled for $5.1 million. Silverton Might Expand. Bombardier Sold Again. Gray ...

79 reads Working the Shows Put the "show" into the consumer show equation to build brand awareness and sell lift tickets. Numbers, Numbers Are our skier/snowboarder visit numbers inflated? A survey and some basic math say, "Yes." Wasting Away Compost toilets are a great solution for mountain resorts. They save money, maintenance and...

90 reads Industry Reports Crested Butte Sale Final; Steamboat Issue Unresolved. SolVista Changes Name. Gore to Expand. Big Tupper Bought. Retail Audit Shows Overall Increase. Mount Washington Opens. Next X Event a Success. Killington Votes to Secede. Awards. Obituary. People. Supplier People. Supplier News. Seeing Eye to Eye It's ...

90 reads The End Page A potentially record-breaking ski lesson and GMs revealed...really revealed. Industry Report Steamboat Ownership Dispute Continues. Snow Monsters Hit the Airwaves. Vail and Intrawest Split on Keystone. Three Resorts on the Block? Helmet Bill for Mass? Who Owns the Top of Lone Peak? Keystone Expands. Obituaries. Peo...

77 reads Industry Reports Industry Reports Early Season Numbers Bright. Muellers to Buy Crested Butte. Laurel Mountain Buyer Dies. Locke Steps Aside. Power Buys Las Vegas Area. Mission Ridge Sold. New Investors in Telluride. Lawsuit Settled. Silverton Doubles Capacity. Joint Show for Transworld and MSM. Correction. People. Supplier New...

83 reads Industry Reports Big Mountain to Go Private. Saddleback Sold. Tenney First to Open. NSAA Partners with WinterKids. New Snowboard Magazine Launches. Winter X Games go Live. Wachsett Finally Clears Trails. Maine Looks to License Lift Mechanics. Compagnie des Aplpes Sees Ownership Change. Alyeska Looks at Expanding. Lawsuit Among Gues...

89 reads Blue Pages Teaching Revolution in Pipe and Park. Skiing and Riding--In Oklahoma? Eldora Takes On I-70. One Man's Dues are Another's Dividends. It's Not Easy Being ASC. Melting Away in Europe. Insurance Everyone Can Love. Kobe In Court. Industry Reports Wachusett Wins...Sort Of. $2.9 Million Awarded in Snowboard Accident. Tamara...

70 reads Industry Reports New Skier Visit Record. Berthoud Gets Rid of Lifts. Teton Pass Expansion Gets OK. Intrawest Golf Partners With Tamarack. SIA End-of-Season Retail Figures. OSHA Fines Keystone. Saddleback Won't Reopen. SIA Dates Confirmed. Correction. People. Supplier People. Supplier News. Can You Hear Me Know? Can You Hear...

89 reads A Wake-Up Call A look at the last fie economic analyses show some eye-opening trends. Industry Reports Tamarack Clears Another Hurdle. Telluride looks for Investor. Bombardier Recreational Products for Sale. Brodie Has Buyer. Ski Patrol has New Union. Laurel Mountain For Sale. Cross-Country Reader Poll Results. Crested Butte Fo...

2001-02 Economic Analysis: Clouded Is it time to revamp NSAA's annual Economic Analysis? Here's one way. Plus, a look at last year's results. The Power of Can-Do Spirit Spirit Mountain in Minnesota looks to motorized sports to increase its appeal. Sliding Into Summer Is your area a natural for a water park? It's all about location and inno...

89 reads Lifts 2002-Not One for the Record Books It's no surprise that lift installations were down last year. However, the growing trends in tubing and beginner areas remain strong. Finding the Right Words Snowmakers across the country seem to have their own lingo for their product. Wouldn't it be nice if we all spoke the same language...

1397 reads Cutting it Up Terrain park designers had their day in the sun when Snowboarder magazine invited the creme de la creme out to Colorado for a park-off. Industry Report Le Massif Sold...Court Upholds Skier Conviction...other industry news. Between a Helmet and a Hard Place With the popularity of helmets on the rise, more ski...

1222 reads Industry Report Snow Summit buys Bear, Seven Springs Family Feud, and other industry news. A Man of the Moment An interview with the new NSAA chair, Rob Kautz. Where does he think the ski industry should focus its efforts? Sliding into Bigger Profits Snowboarding company Burton is hitting the slopes with specialized gear ...

80 reads Industry Reports End-of-Season Numbers Not So Bad, SLOC Reports Profit, Heavenly Deal Closes, Club Med Leaves Copper, USSA and NBC Ink Deal, Breckenridge Gets OK for $400M Expansion, Vancouver in 2010?, WestRock Signs Lease, Okemo Begins Jackson Gore Expansion, Two Ski Areas Find New Owners, Golden Eagle Award, Ski Patrols Create N...

98 reads Gunning for Efficiency Warm winters demonstrate a need for snowmaking systems that integrate new tower technology and traditional efficiencies. Industry Reports Vail Buys Heavenly; Triple Peak Sues ASC, United Park City Mines Agrees to Sell, WestRock Moves Ahead, Delays for Resort Expansions, Booth Creek and Vail Post Increases...

91 reads Industry Reports Two Colorado Resorts Get New Operators, ADA Defined More Narrowly, Retail Numbers Slide at the End of the Year, A New Website for First-Timers, SIA Vegas Show Results Up in the Air, Durango Passes First Expansion Hurdle, WestRock Still Plowing Forward, Goodwill Games Are Cancelled, New Website at Canadian Ski Counc...

114 reads Industry Reports Helmet law narrowly defeated, Vail and ASC first-quarter numbers, Bolton Valley files for Chapter 11, Ingrid Polletin dies, Tenney finally sold, Pape vs Powdr just beginning, Berthoud goes with Snowcat, Big White purchases Silver Star, CSCUSA program to help smaller areas, NSP launches safety program, sales of ski...

79 reads Where Are the Kids? A call to action to refocus the industry in committing to nuture youth as the futre of the sport. Despite a lot of lip service paid to that very subject in the past, the editorial says too much is being invested in short-term fixes. Some Thoughts on Our Fortieth The memo announces the magazine's anniversary ...

1289 reads Edit Export Clone Construction Site Deer Valley, Utah- 2002 Winter Olympic preparations, Le Massif, Quebec- new road, lifts, and trials, Lutsen Mountains, Minn.- trail and lift, and Telluride, Colo.-lifts and trails. Industry Reports Ownership of Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp., message from Canadian Ski Council reg...

83 reads A Piece of the Corporate Pie Some ski areas are successful at tapping into the corporate sponsorship and incentive market. It works for meetings, team building exercises, conferences and retreats. Logging by Air Logging by way of helicopters avoids fragile ground when there's not enough snowcover. A description of how Marmot Ba...

  Are We Still in the Same Business? This essay calls attention to the phenomenon around real estate in mountain communities and the growing disconnect between skiing and spending time at resort hideaways. What do the astronomical prices of real estate and associated images say about our sport? How do we get more people invovled in skiin...

1267 reads Reports Court Decides for Jiminy peak--broken femur incident 1998; Mammoth Power Fines End, For Now--infamous rolling blackouts; NSAA Introduces New Symbol--orange blob for freestyle terrain; Snowboard Life Folds; Okemo Gets Act 250 Approval;Loon and Lookout Hope to Expand; Boyd Purchases Mad River Mountain; Cuchara Sale Still Pe...

1419 reads Staying In Touch With Guests Walkie-Talkie radio use among guests gives resort operators another way to monitor activities on the hill and to respond to potential problems. Industry Reports ASC Merges with Meristar; Two Colorado Court Decisions (Nathan Hall and Eldora MOuntain); Austrian (Lift) Tragedy Still Unsolved; Saddleb...

1372 reads cover illustration The cover is an illustration by Marcelo Vignali of Schweitzer Mountain's new Stella 6-pack. The story is in the loading and unloading stations, which offer a whimsical glimpse of the past. Story begins on page 57. 2001: A Global Ski Odyssey An around-the-world look at what's happenning in the ski industry. ...

107 reads Edit Export Clone Giving Beginners a Lift Paoli Peaks, Ind., moved a used Hall lift and reengineered it to create a hydraulic drive to service a beginner hill. The result is a quiet, efficient, low-speed lift that cost $150,000. cover shot Nathan Bilow's cover shot illustrates a feature article, "Converting to the C...

1294 reads 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 A...

1343 reads Developing Nordic Trails at Alpine Resorts Wiesel's article points out that when alpine resorts want to benefit from the earning potential of ancillary cross-country centers, they need to be planned carefully and promoted well. In effect, a well-staffed and supported facility can help the bottom line. The article provides example...

102 reads Industry Reports--various headlines The Numbers Game--examining mid-season skier numbers of big resort groups; CPSC Urges Helmet Use; Vermont Areas Launch Environmental Website; CSCUSA Gives 20K to Avalanch Programs; Shop Program Aimed at Gear Safety; Quotas for Alberta?; Blue Hills May Get a Break; Ski Areas Join in Vermont [elec...

1178 reads Seth Says: Slats Greets the New Millennium That infamous curmudgeon, Slats Grabski, pontificates on how nothing's changed, really, in 50 years. A timely read for the start of a new millennium. Industry Reports Disabled Athletes Meet with USSA; NASTAR Partners with U.S. Ski Team; Labor Trouble for Goodwill Games; Copper Cleare...

138 reads Edit Export Clone Industry Reports, multiple titles Mountain Creek Lodge Destroyed by Fire; Whitetail Purchase Completed; Lookout Pass Sold; Vail Expansion to Open this Season; Major New Sponsorships for Skiing; Doe Mountain Has New Owners; Jackson Hole to Open Backcountry; Sierra Club Sues Wachusett; Killington Gets......

108 reads What's New? Tornado rotating snowboard binding from Forward Motion; hand-held digital anemometer from Kestrel; replacement ski lift cable from Engineered Components; Tek-1 wicking underwear from Performance Sports Apparel; hand-held barcode reader from Asset Management Technologies; Customer registration software from Sport Select...

92 reads Why the Ski Industry is Treading Water An analysis of a LeisureTrak survey that finds sports participation in decline in a bullish economy. Demographic changes and their impact on the industry are examined. What's That Buzz? This story is about Jack Frost Mountain, Pennsylvania's, move to introduce motocrossing to its off-seaso...

1381 reads Bob Heron, 1914-1999 The editor and three ropeway engineers reflect on the legacy left by Bob Heron, a lift designer who worked on ropeway trams for the army in WWII, Aspen and other areas. Buddy Pass, Part Deux Buddy passes continue to draw skiers across Colorado. This report reviews the 99-00 offerings. Multiple headline...

154 reads Rental Roundup 1999-2000: Snowboards-Coming On Strong Iseult's roundup explores rental snowboard equipment for the 1999-2000 season. Industry Reports Headlines from this installment: N.Y. Areas Protest state's competition; Ax falls at Head, SIA appoints interim chair; ASC puts a hold on two projects in Vermont; IOC reaches agr...

120 reads Industry Reports Early Season statistics; arson at Camelback; NSAA chooses Leagas Delaney ad agency for marketing push; SIA to publish trade magazine; Mont Sainte-Anne deal with Intrawest falls through; Whitetail deal terminated; Craigmeur and Belle Mountain, N.J. closing; Shu-Maker Mountain on shaky ground; Cortina Valley, N.Y., ...

1405 reads Snow Monsters Join NSAA NSAA announces Jack Turner's Snow Monsters program (video and snow creatures) have been made available to member resorts in an effort to help grow skiing and snowboarding among the youngest sliders. The program appeals to kids and teaches safety and etiquette on the slopes in a fun, positive manner. Mod...

1327 reads Subtle but Important Shifts in Customers Jim's National Skier/Boarder Opinion Survey shows a younger average age, but fewer of the big bloc of older customers. It also shows that the pace of growth for snowboarding is slowing. Jim disseminates the research in this good news-bad news report. Maintenance Shop Makeover This repo...

129 reads SAMMY Awards are Launched This article is a recap of the innaugural SAMMY awards presented at the NSAA annual meeting on Marco Island, Florida. It includes a brief explanation of the awards and encapsulates the contributions of the first five winners, Tim Boyd, Guy Desrosiers, Stacy Gardner, Karl Kapuscinski and Ed Pitoniak. In...

128 reads Edit Export Clone Growing the Market Is Key This article profiles John Rutter, Keystone's COO and NSAA'a latest Chair. Rutter explains his priorities in regrowing the skiing market through youth and families, and by increasing current participation among snow sliders. The article is accompanied by a sidebar by David Row...

1386 reads Construction Site Ski area construction innovations in the works at: Mount Snow, Vt.; Waterville Valley, N.H.; Cascade Mountain, Wisc.; Crystal Mountain, Mich.; Mt. Holly, Mich.; and Telluride, Colo. On Government Patrol NSAA's new director of public policy, Geraldine Hughes, tackles a full plate of political and governmental...

1264 reads Sam Idea Files Useful innovations from ski areas around the country, including: an automatic rope oiler from Raccoon Mountain Alpine Slide in Chattanooga, Tenn., bullhead catfish for treating wastewater lagoons at Smuggler's Notch, Vt., and an ATV hoist from Labrador Mountain, N.Y. It's All In Your Prospectus IPO's are giving...

104 reads The Ultimate Flush Sewage treatment was a growing problem at Sugarloaf/USA, Me., until they discovered Snowfluent, a process developed by Delta Engineering that uses snowmaking technology to treat wastewater. What's New? Products include: Bio-stake (North American Green), the Powdermaker hand groomer, Prospeed professional spo...

93 reads Edit Export Clone Leadership At Lake Tahoe Summit The Presidential summit focused on collaboration in achieving environmental goals, and the ski industry got high recognition for its leadership role. It could be a new image for the industry. A Heavenly Master Plan Seven years in the making and weighing in at over 22 ...

99 reads Older, Richer And Skiing More Often There is great promise in the Echo Boom generation, but for now the sound of Baby Boomers is loud and clear. They're older, they have money and they bring children, but watch that dropout rate. NSAA Celebrates At 35 NSAA returned to its roots at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs to celebrate ...

119 reads 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 persp...

129 reads The Shaping Of Industry Marketing Following the initiatives of NSAA's Future of the Industry Summit in Charleston, the broad framework of a marketing plan for reaching the youth market is taking shape. NSAA is approaching the task cautiously and with concern for retaining the baby boom market. And Then The Rains Came . . . And ...

106 reads 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.; Ke...

1390 reads Consolidation: Analysis And Direction Critical mass is the driving force behind consolidation in many business fields, and so it is within the ski industry. SAM examines the outcomes of critical mass achieved by agglomerates and how it affects the rest of the industry. Sidebar describes the country's six biggest multi-resort grou...

156 reads Dc Drives: Testing For Condition And Trends Conducting and analyzing the results of predictive testing, motor-condition testing and monitoring performance can significantly extend the life and reliability of DC motor drives. A Better Way To Repair A Splice Modern terminal designs with shorter tension carriages require low-stre...

123 reads Poised For Change The ski area industry came together in Charleston, S.C., for NSAA's "Future of the Industry" Summit at the national trade show. The conference used a "visioning" approach to plan for the future, asking tough questions such as: "Who are we?" "What do our customers want?" and "How do we give it to them?" Though no ...

1380 reads Environmental Regulation-- Its Future In an era of regulatory reform, the ski industry should take an active role in improving environmental regulation, both individually and through national, regional and state associations. Ethnic Marketing Northstar-at-Tahoe finds that targeting the dynamic Asian-American market in the San...

125 reads Steep Analysis Of Industry Les Otten and Skip King, in typical breezy fashion, apply "STEEP" analysis--considering the social, technical, environmental, economic and political aspects of the marketplace--to the ski/snowboard industry. Future Of The Industry Summit A dozen industry leaders examine the issues to be addressed at ...