Wintersteiger, and its BootDoc and Hotronic division, have prepared detailed suggestions for rental operations and retail bootfitting to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among staff and customers. Here are links to documents for rental and retail: Best Practices for Rental Best Practices for Retail Want more on rental? Li...

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., July 14, 2020—A handful of state and regional trade organizations have cancelled their scheduled in-person conferences and trade shows in response to safety concerns amid the ongoing pandemic. Trade Show floor from SANY/PSAA Expo 2019. The Midwest Ski Areas Association (MSAA) board of directors voted to cancel ...

SAM Magazine—Hotham Heights, Vic., Australia, July 9, 2020—Vail Resorts is suspending operations at Hotham and Falls Creek Ski Resorts in Victoria, Australia, due to a new restrictions related to a recent COVID-19 outbreak. The suspension is effective July 9, 2020 and follows the stay-at-home order for the Melbourne metro area. Reopening will b...

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., July 9, 2020—Mountain resorts in North America that are open for summer operations didn’t really know what visitation would be like over the typically busy 4th of July weekend due to limited/modified operations and rising COVID-19 concerns. As it turns out, several areas were pleasantly surprised with how loud the ...

SAM Magazine—Wausau, Wis., July 8, 2020—Granite Peak Ski Resort has hired industry veteran Greg Fisher as its new general manager and marketing director. Fisher will be responsible for the overall operations of Granite Peak, including overseeing mountain operations, skier services, food and beverage, ski school operations, facilities, and resor...

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., July 1, 2020—Vail Resorts (VR) took a major step toward its 100 percent renewable electricity goal as a new large-scale wind farm, enabled in part by VR, has come online. VR will purchase 310,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of wind energy annually from the new 82-turbine Plum Creek Wind project, which will address more ...

SAM Magazine—Boulder, Colo., July 1, 2020—Active Interest Media (AIM) has sold SKI, Warren Miller Entertainment, Nastar, and SNEWS to Pocket Outdoor Media (POM). The winter sports-related properties are part of a much larger package of three divisions of AIM—fitness, outdoor, and healthy living—purchased by POM. Both AIM and POM are based i...

SAM Magazine—Washington D.C., June 23, 2020—President Trump issued a proclamation Monday that extends a freeze on several types of immigration visas—including J-1 cultural exchange visas and H-2B temporary worker visas, both vital to the mountain resort industry—through December. The administration cites the pandemic and resulting high unem...

SAM Magazine—Denver, June 22, 2020—As stay-at-home restrictions ease, and lodging properties throughout the western mountain region are gradually opening up more capacity, demand has ticked up slightly. However, according to the monthly DestiMetrics* Market Briefing from Inntopia, aggregated summer occupancy is still limping along, down 85.4 pe...

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., June 17, 2020—Skier visits in the U.S. totaled 51.1 million in the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season, according to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). That represents a 13.9 percent decline from 2018-19, which was the fourth-best season on record. NSAA projected that 2019-20 would have topped the previous ye...

SAM Magazine—Aspen Snowmass, Colo., June 12, 2020—The Mountain Collective pass now includes Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia, bringing the total number of resorts on the pass to 23. Passholders get two days access to each resort on the pass, and 50 percent off daily lift tickets on all additional days, plus a bonus third day at one destinat...

Snowsports Organizations Commit to Diversity, Inclusivity and Equity SAM Magazine—Denver, June 12, 2020—Snowsports organizations continue to rally in support of the global call to end racial injustice and inequity. Schone Malliet, CEO and president of Winter4Kids, which introduces thousands of people of color to snowsports each winter at its ...

SAM Magazine—Queenstown, New Zealand, June 10, 2020—Ski Areas Association New Zealand (SAANZ) has shared its coronavirus-mitigating operations protocols with resorts worldwide so that they can benefit from the group's work. Paul Anderson, CEO of NZSki, which owns The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Mt. Hutt, provided the document to SAM followi...

SAM Magazine—Aspen, Colo., June 10, 2020—The leaders of two of the biggest players in the mountain resort industry have responded to the worldwide movement to end racial inequality and injustice. Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz published an open letter titled ,“We Are Part of the Problem,” and Aspen Skiing Company CEO Mike Kaplan and Skico owner...

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., June 4, 2020—Vail Resorts' third-quarter report showed the impact of the pandemic shutdown on business at its 37 resorts worldwide, including 34 in North America. Overall mountain division revenues for the first nine months of VR's fiscal year, through April 30, fell by 7.6 percent. Third-quarter results, which w...

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., June 4, 2020—The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) presented awards in sustainability, safety, growth and marketing during the association’s virtual awards ceremony June 3. The online fête was Halley O'Brienhosted by “The Snow Report Show” and “SnoCountry Snapshot” star Halley O'Brien.   On t...

SAM Magazine—Pittsfield, Mass., June 1, 2020—Bousquet Mountain ski area in western Massachusetts has been acquired by Mill Town community impact fund, a local Pittsfield-based private investment group. Mill Town bought the ski area from the Tamarack Ski Nominee Trust and owners Sherry and PJ Roberts for an undisclosed amount. Sherry Roberts ac...

SAM Magazine—May 29, 2020—Multi-phase opening plans abound as resorts across the nation aim to get summer operations rolling. Memorial Day weekend saw a smattering of ski areas opening a limited range of activities, all with state approval and strict new guidelines. As stay-at-home orders continue to be rolled back, many resorts are looking at ...

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., May 29, 2020—The National Ski Patrol (NSP), in partnership with Jones & Bartlett Learning (JBL), published its sixth edition of Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller’s Guide to Medical Care (OEC). The latest edition has been reformatted for greater accessibility, includes updates on new medical best practices a...

SAM Magazine—Dillon, Colo., May 26, 2020—Arapahoe Basin’s variance request to partially reopen for skiing and snowboarding was approved by the state of Colorado, so the ski area will restart limited operations on Wednesday, May 27. A-Basin will host a maximum of 600 guests per day, all of whom must register online in advance. The demand for ...

SAM Magazine—Boulder, Colo., May 21, 2020—The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is working with a national coalition of nonprofits, outdoor businesses, and land managers to launch the Recreate Responsibly campaign. The program presents guidelines and best practices for enjoying the outdoors amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With stay-at-home restri...

SAM Magazine—Wilmington, Vt., May 20, 2020—Industry veteran Bill Benneyan has been appointed executive director and general manager of The Hermitage Members Club, the private membership club on the former Haystack Mountain ski area in Wilmington, Vt. Benneyan previously served as president and COO of Mountain Creek Resort, N.J. In his new role ...

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., May 20, 2020—Four of Vail Resorts’ properties in the East and Midwest will have new general managers starting as soon as June 1. The new GMs are: Peter Disch, Mount Sunapee, N.H.; Josh Klevans, Wildcat, N.H.; Shannon Buhler, Snow Creek, Mo.; and Scott Leigh, Wilmot, Wis. All four were promoted from within the c...

SAM Magazine—Portland, Ore., May 20, 2020—The Indy Pass has implemented a pass assurance program, lowered prices, and added new resorts in an effort to “get America skiing” post COVID-19. After a successful inaugural season, Indy Pass added another seven independent resorts to its roster: China Peak, Calif., Crystal Mountain, Mich., Granit...

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., May 19, 2020—Following a campaign led by NSAA’s Dave Byrd, state ski associations, and the governors of 18 ski states, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released new guidance on Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness, which should expand ski area benefits through the program. Sixteen of the stat...

SAM Magazine—Denver, May 19, 2020—Six weeks after the winter season was abruptly ended on March 15 by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2019-20 ski season arrived at its traditional end. Lodging occupancy for the year through April 30 declined 21 percent, while the average daily rate (ADR) rose 7.1 percent, according to DestiMetrics in its monthly Mar...

SAM Magazine—May 18, 2020—Across the country, government officials are easing restrictions enacted to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, allowing many mountain resorts to resume operations. Some resorts are reopening with snow, while others are looking toward Welcoming passholders during reopening at Mt. Bachelor. Credit: Mt. Bachelor, Ore.summer...

SAM Magazine—May 15, 2020, Lakewood, Colo.—On Wednesday, May 13, the Outdoor Business Climate Partnership (OBCP) joined LEAD on Climate 2020. The event, facilitated by Google Hangouts and sustainability-focused NPO Ceres, brought together more than 330 business leaders for the largest ever call-to-action on climate change. OBCP is an alliance ...

SAM Magazine—Government Camp, Ore., May 13, 2020—Following an executive order by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown specifically allowing several outdoor recreation activities to reopen, including the state’s ski areas, Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood will reopen for skiing and riding with modified operations on Friday, May 15. In its outline of the reopen...

SAM Magazine—Newry and Carrabassett Valley, Maine; Lincoln, N.H., May 11, 2020—After a winter cut short and looming uncertainties about the pandemic’s impact on next winter, the New England Pass—which includes Sunday River Resort, Sugarloaf, and Loon Mountain Resort—has unveiled the 2020-21 New England Pass Promise program for winter seas...

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., May 6, 2020—As focus shifts to the prospect of opening for summer business, we’ve had several organizations from different industries share with us the guidance they’ve carefully put together, with steps to ensure a reasonably safe environment for both staff and guests when operations resume. These resources are ...

SAM Magazine—Killington, Vt., May 1, 2020—In response to COVID-19 impacts, Powdr has launched the Passholder Promise at Killington Resort in Vermont. The Promise provides 2019-20 season passholders with discounts on 2020-21 passes or K-Tickets, a refund guarantee and extended spring pricing on 2020-21 season passes, and a guarantee for the reso...

SAM Magazine—Kelowna, British Columbia, April 30, 2020—The Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) named the 2020 recipients of its annual awards, which recognize extraordinary leaders in the western Canadian ski industry: Pat Boyle, Lars Fossberg Excellence Award; Rob McSkimming, Jim Marshall Leadership Award; and Mike Wiegele, Jimmie Spence...

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., April 30, 2020—Vail Resorts is raising $600 million through a bond offering, according to a report from Bloomberg news. A group of lenders granted a two-year waiver on some of the company's debt covenants to make the bond offering possible. The waiver applies until January 2022, making it one of the longest bank...

SAM Magazine—Denver, April 28, 2020—Alterra Mountain Company’s Ikon Pass will include access to two additional resorts beginning the 2020-21 season: Mt. Bachelor, Ore., and Windham Mountain, N.Y. The pass now includes access to 43 mountain destinations worldwide. Ikon Pass holders will have access to seven days each at Mt. Bachelor and Windh...

SAM Magazine—Seven Springs, Pa., April 28, 2020—The man behind the development of Seven Springs Resort, Pa., and HKD Snowmakers, Herman Dupré, died April 25 at his Seven Springs home. He was 87. Dupré took over managing Seven Springs Resort at age 23 upon the death of his father. He transformed the hunting and fishing camp into one of the to...

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., April 27, 2020—Vail Resorts (VR) is granting its 2019-20 season pass holders credits of at least 20 percent, and up to 80 percent if they weren’t able to use their passes at all. It is also offering free “Epic Coverage” for the 2020-21 season, which will provide cash refun...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magazine, with a subscription or gift su...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., April 17, 2020—This year’s SAMMY Leadership Award honorees embody many of the mountain resort industry’s hallmarks: creativity, work ethic, entrepreneurship, selflessness, and involvement. The class of 2020 includes Danielle Kristmanson and MJ Legault, the guiding lights of some of our most successful brands, Ken...

SAM Magazine—Tamarack, Idaho, April 17, 2020—Tamarack Resort has named Scott Turlington as its new president. Turlington takes the helm as Jon Reveal, who has served in the role since December 2018, moves to a new position as director of skiing at Tamarack.Scott Turlington, New President of Tamarack Resort Turlington was an executive at Tamarac...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM Magazine—Newry, Maine, April 7, 2020—Sunday River Resort has hired Brian Heon as its new general manager, beginning May 1. Heon is currently the general manager at Wildcat Mountain, N.H., a role he’s held since 2013. In his new position at Sunday River, Heon will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the resort, overseeing moun...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM Magazine—March 31, 2020, Broomfield, Colo.—Vail Resorts is once again shaking up the leadership ranks at its Eastern and Midwest properties. Vice president of terrain development Elia Hamilton—a 2016 SAMMY Award winner and Cutter’s Camp lead educator—will no longer be with the company, effective April 15, 2020. Also ending their time...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM is providing frequent updates, guidance, and ways to connect about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our Coronavirus Update page for more resources and special reports. For email updates, sign up to receive Headline News, and, if possible, help support the voice of the mountain industry, SAM Magaz...

SAM Magazine—March 27, 2020—Gregg Blanchard of slopefillers.com surveyed resort marketers to gauge the state of marketing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. About 70 respondents shared where they were in terms of financial impact, season pass sales, marketing budget, and more. Plus, many shared their sentiments in written responses. At the time, two o...