SAM Magazine—Whistler, B.C., June 16, 2017—Vail Resorts has appointed Pete Sonntag, the current senior vice president of the company’s Lake Tahoe region, to become chief operating officer of Whistler Blackcomb. Sonntag will start this summer, once his Canadian work visa is approved.

SAM Magazine—Jackson Hole, Wyo., June 16, 2017—The MTBparks Pass, which offers lift and trail privileges at more than 30 bike parks across North America, is the first and only one of its kind for mountain bikers. Now in its fourth year, the pass gives members one free day of riding at each park, as well as additional benefits such as discounts on lift tickets during subsequent visits at many participating parks, deals on bike shop retail and rentals, and more.

SAM Magazine—Denver, June 15, 2017—Colorado Ski Country USA’s (CSCUSA) 22 member ski areas totaled 7.3 million visits during the 2016-17 season. That’s down slightly from last year’s record 7.4 million. It is estimated that after final numbers are tallied, the 2016-17 season will be the state’s second best season on record. This year’s season total was up six percent over the five-year average, marking the fourth consecutive year that skier visits at CSCUSA resorts have outperformed the five-year average.

SAM Magazine—North Conway, N.H., June 15, 2017—During the 2016-17 winter season, Ski NH’s 34 member areas reached 2,357,609 visits for alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and tubing; an increase of 33 percent over the prior year. Ski NH presented the visit totals at its annual conference at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort here on Monday.

SAM Magazine—Killington, Vt., June 15, 2017—After a challenging 2015-16 season, Vermont’s alpine and Nordic ski areas came back to tally 3,922,970 visits, the Vermont Ski Areas Association said at its 48th Annual Meeting here.

SAM Magazine—Salt Lake City, June 14, 2017—This past Sunday, June 11, Snowbird resort finally stopped spinning the lifts for the year – ending an eight-month 2016-17 season in which Utah areas totaled, 4,584,658 million skier days, up 2.85 percent from the previous record of 4,457,575 during the 2015-16 season. This year’s number represents an 8.35 percent increase vs. Utah’s five-year average of 4,231,276.

SAM Magazine—Boyne Falls, Mich., June 14, 2017—Boyne Resorts is partnering with Inntopia to enable the multi-resort group to offer its many lodging and activity options in a single, easy-to-use interface on the resorts’ websites.

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., June 9, 2017—Vail Resorts closed on its acquisition of Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont on Wednesday. Stowe, VR’s first East Coast property, is also now included on the company’s $859 Epic Pass for the 2017-18 winter season.

SAM Magazine—Lakeside, Mont., June 9, 2017—After 19 years in operation, Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in northwestern Montana is up for sale, at an asking price of $3.5 million. The four partners who own it are looking for new owners who will be able to realize the mountain’s potential.

Welcome to the June edition of Snow People, where we highlight happenings to prominent people in the mountain resort industry.

SAM Magazine—Price Township, Pa., May 31, 2017—Alpine Mountain in Pennsylvania has new owners for the fourth time in the last 10 years after Jim and Linda Schlier closed on the property last week for the price of $412,500. The Schliers, though, don’t plan to operate the mountain as a ski area.

SAM Magazine—Hoboken, N.J., May 26, 2017—Kohlberg & Company has purchased K2, Marker, Dalbello, and the rest of the winter sports businesses formerly owned by Newell Brands Inc. Gross proceeds to Newell from the divestiture are expected to be $240 million, subject to customary working capital and transaction adjustments.

SAM Magazine—Whistler, B.C., May 24, 2017— Whistler Blackcomb Resort chief operating officer Dave Brownlie has decided to step down from his role and pursue other endeavors following a career at the resort that spans nearly three decades.

SAM Magazine—San Juan Capistrano, Calif., May 24, 2017—Emerald Expositions, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Emerald Expositions Events, Inc., producer of business-to-business trade shows and conferences, including Outdoor Retailer, has acquired the SIA Snow Show from SnowSports Industries America (SIA).

SAM Magazine—Mullan, Idaho, May 24, 2017—Phase I of Lookout Pass’ master development plan has been approved by U.S. Forest Service officials, and work can begin as early as this summer on projects that will total about $10 million over the next few years, including terrain expansion, new chairlifts, an addition to the base lodge, and more parking.

SAM Magazine—Denver, May 18, 2017—Overall aggregated occupancy during the 2016-17 winter season—November through April—declined 0.2 percent, marking the first seasonal dip in winter occupancy since the 2011-12 ski season. In contrast, aggregated revenues were up a strong 7.2 percent, with double-digit growth recorded during the month of December. The data was released yesterday by Denver-based DestiMetric’s as part of its monthly Market Briefing.

SAM Magazine—Denver, May 18, 2017—The board of directors of Snowsports Industries America (SIA) have unanimously approved the sale of the SIA Snow Show to Emerald Expositions, which runs the Outdoor Retailer (OR) Winter and Summer Markets, for $16.67 million. The sale must still be approved by SIA’s 100 or so premium members, who have until May 24 to vote on the proposal.

SAM Magazine—Vernon, N.J., May 17, 2017—The owner of Mountain Creek, Mountain Creek Management LLC, is seeking Chapter 11 protection. The company hopes to restructure its debt while maintaining daily operations, including opening the Mountain Creek Waterpark next month.

SAM Magazine—Denver, May 12, 2017—An unusual combination of circumstances led to the fatal chairlift accident on the Quick Draw Express at Granby Ranch last December 29, according to the final report by Colorado state investigators, released Thursday afternoon.

SAM Magazine—Denver, May 11, 2017—The Denver Post resort business reporter Jason Blevins pored through Intrawest’s 273-page PREM 14C, a preliminary information statement relating to a merger or acquisition that the company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and found some pretty neat stuff regarding the deal—and the value of several other recent transactions as well.

SAM Magazine—Juneau, Alaska, May 11, 2017—The community-owned Eaglecrest Ski Area here has appointed David Scanlan as its new general manager. Scanlan has been the GM of Mt. Abram, Maine since 2013. He is scheduled to start in his new position June 26.

SAM Magazine—Scottsdale, Ariz., May 9, 2017—At last weekend’s National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) annual convention in Scottsdale, the organization presented 2017 Lifetime Achievement Awards to NSAA president Michael Berry and The Fairbank Group’s founder and chairman, Brian Fairbank.

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., May 10, 2017—U.S. ski areas tallied an estimated 54.7 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2016-17 season, up 3.7 percent from last season’s 52.8 million total, according to preliminary results of the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Kottke Report.

SAM Magazine—Scottsdale, Ariz., May 9, 2017—Berkshire East, Mass., Taos Ski Valley, N.M., and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Calif., won the 2017 Golden Eagle Awards for Environmental Excellence, presented by SKI Magazine. In addition, SKI named Onno Wieringa of Alta Ski Area, Utah, the “Hero of Sustainability” for 2017. This marks the 25th year for the Golden Eagle awards, which recognize resorts that actively address environmental issues.

SAM Magazine—Thompsonville, Mich., May 4, 2017—Chris MacInnes has become president of Crystal Enterprises Inc., which operates Crystal Mountain, Mich. John Melcher succeeds MacInnes as COO.

SAM Magazine—Stowe, Vt., May 2, 2017—Vail Resorts, Inc. is appointing Bobby Murphy as vice president and general manager of Stowe Mountain Resort, effective at the close of VR’s acquisition of Stowe, which is expected in June. He will replace Barry Pius.

SAM Magazine—Lake Louise, Alberta, May 2, 2017—Three individuals were recognized for their contributions to the ski industry at last week’s Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) annual Awards Gala. Don Murray, senior VP, Ecosign, received the 2017 Jimmie Spencer Lifetime Achievement Award; Stuart McLaughlin, president, Grouse Mountain, received the 2017 Jim Marshall Leadership Award; and Ryan Stimming, risk manager, Panorama, received the Lars Fossberg Excellence Award.

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., May 2, 2017—The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) has chosen four member ski areas to receive its annual Sustainable Slopes Grants: Arapahoe Basin, Colo., Copper Mountain Resort, Colo., Granite Peak, Wis., and Mt. Bachelor, Ore.

SAM Magazine—Dover, Vt., April 28, 2017—Across much of the country, the grass is growing, flowers are blooming, and spring sports are in full swing. But dozens of mountain resorts are still open for skiing and riding—some with plans to remain open for months to come, thanks to deep snowpack and a winter that just won’t quit.

SAM Magazine—Jamesville, N.Y., April 28, 2017—The Ski Areas of New York Lift Training and Maintenance Program is being offered this summer at several locations around the state. The program will provide training and networking to lift maintenance staff in more than 10 critical areas of lift maintenance. SANY membership is not required in order to attend any of the classes; all New York state ski area lift personnel are invited. There is no cost to participate, and lunch will be provided at each location.

Welcome to the April edition of Snow People, where we highlight happenings to prominent ski industry and supplier personnel.

SAM Magazine—Denver, April 24, 2017—The 2016-17 season started slowly for Western destinations, strengthened mid-season, and then lost momentum in the final weeks, according to Denver-based DestiMetrics. The season will likely record some year-over-year declines by the end of April. As of March 31, aggregated occupancy reservations from November through April were down 0.3 percent. Overall revenue, though, rose 6.8 percent compared to the same time last year. Four of the six winter months showed increases; November and April were down.

SAM Magazine—Crystal Mountain, Wash., April 19, 2017—On March 31, John Kircher acquired Crystal Mountain Ski Resort in a transaction between Kircher and Boyne Resorts, Inc. Under terms of the deal, Kircher, a longtime partner in Boyne Resorts, has swapped his share of ownership for Crystal, leaving brother Steve Kircher in control of Boyne Resorts. The sale values Crystal at $40 million and occurred 20 years to the day after Boyne purchased Crystal Mountain in 1997.

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., April 19, 2017—Vail Resorts has named Inntopia, the e-commerce and central reservation platform for destination travel, as a key partner to offer real-time booking, lodging options, and dynamic pricing across VR’s brand websites. The Inntopia platform will be integrated throughout Vail Resorts’ North American destinations, beginning with the use of Inntopia’s inventory distribution network this summer.

Woodbury, Conn., April 18, 2017—Amy Ohran, Ethan Mueller, and Christopher Nicolson have earned 2017 SAMMY Leadership Awards from SAM Magazine. The trio, nominated by their peers, has demonstrated the leadership skills needed to help steer the snowsports industry into the future. They will receive their awards during a ceremony at the NSAA National Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz., May 6.

SAM Magazine—Aspen and Denver, Colo., April 12, 2017—Resort ownership consolidation was already moving at an unprecedented clip, and it just keeps speeding up. The same entity formed by Aspen Skiing Co. and KSL Capital Partners that announced its $1.5 billion acquisition of Intrawest two days ago, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mammoth Resorts—owner of Mammoth Mountain, Snow Summit, Bear Mountain, and June Mountain in California.

SAM Magazine—Denver, April 10, 2017—Aspen Skiing Company and KSL Capital Partners have formed a new entity and entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Intrawest in a deal valued at $1.5 billion.

SAM Magazine—Kansas City, Mo., April 6, 2017—Och-Ziff Real Estate, EPR Properties, and CNL have completed the sale of CNL’s ski area and attractions portfolios. The deal leaves Ski Resort Holdings LLC, owned by funds affiliated with OZRE, with 14 former CNL ski resort properties. EPR, the REIT that has funded Peak Resorts, adds Northstar California resort to its portfolio, along with 15 of CNL’s water and amusement parks, and five smaller family entertainment centers.

SAM Magazine—Killington, Vt., April 4, 2017—[UPDATED] Killington has entered into a two-year agreement with USSA to get a FIS World Cup event back to the resort over Thanksgiving weekend in 2017 and 2018. The spot on the race schedule has not been firmed up by FIS yet, but the resort hopes FIS will confirm it as a stop on the calendar at the federation's meeting in May. This comes after a tremendously successful initial foray in 2016, when the event drew an estimated 30,000 spectators.

Welcome to the March edition of Snow People, where we highlight happenings to prominent ski industry and supplier personnel.

SAM Magazine—Auburn, Maine, March 30, 2017—Kässbohrer ATV, Inc., the North American Division of German parent company Kässbohrer AG and distributor of PistenBully snow grooming equipment, has chosen Lost Valley ski area in Auburn, Maine, as the site of the company’s future regional headquarters, which will include construction of a new facility.

SAM Magazine—Granby, Quebec, March 28, 2017—Industry veteran Charles Blier has been named Prinoth’s vice president of sales, snow grooming North America. He will start in this new role April 3.

SAM Magazine—Copper Mountain, Colo., March 28, 2017—Several improvements for both winter and summer are on the docket at Copper Mountain in Colorado. The resort plans to install a new high-speed quad chairlift and RFID gates at the lifts in time for the 2017-18 winter season. New warm-season activities include an alpine coaster, obstacle course, and a mountain biking trail.

SAM Magazine—Cheyenne, Wyo., March 22, 2017—Wyoming has become the 29th state to adopt ski safety legislation after Gov. Matt Mead signed the Wyoming Ski Safety Act into law earlier this month. According to an NSAA report, the bill defines inherent risks involved with skiing and snowboarding, immunizes ski areas from claims resulting from these risks, and places operational requirements on ski areas to improve mountain safety.

SAM Magazine—Washington, D.C., March 22, 2017—Today, the Forest Service will host an ADA webinar for ski area and agency personnel from 2 to 3 p.m. EST. The subject of the webinar is Accessibility for Resorts and Areas with Four Season Uses.

SAM Magazine—Winter Park, Colo., March 21, 2017—At the end of the day on Friday, March 31, Winter Park Resort president and CEO Gary DeFrange will retire from the post he’s held since 1997. Intrawest COO Sky Foulkes will succeed DeFrange as president.

SAM Magazine—Aspen, Colo., March 21, 2017—FIS should be thrilled with Aspen after the resort hosted a tremendously successful World Cup finals event that drew huge crowds, had excellent TV ratings, and garnered compliments from competitors, right? Not according to FIS secretary general Sarah Lewis.

SAM Magazine—Denver, March 20, 2017— The list of accessible ski areas on the M.A.X. Pass continues to get longer, with six new properties hopping on-board for 2017-18, including Windham, Belleayre, Gore, and Whiteface in New York, Lutsen in Minnesota, and Granite Peak in Wisconsin. That brings the grand total up to 44 ski areas in roughly 22 states and provinces that M.A.X. Pass-holders will have access to next season, with five unrestricted days at each.

SAM Magazine—Denver, March 20, 2017—With less than a month remaining in the winter 2016-17 booking season, overall aggregated occupancy for 19 western mountain resorts remains essentially flat, up 0.3 percent as of Feb. 28, compared to the same time last year. In contrast, overall aggregated revenue is up 7.3 percent for the same time period, according to a report by DestiMetrics. The data also revealed that 90 percent of all of last season’s business has already been booked or “banked” for this season.

SAM Magazine—Denver, March 20, 2017—Visits to Colorado Ski Country USA’s 22 member ski areas were up 1 percent during the second period of the 2016-17 season, which runs from Jan. 1, 2017 through Feb. 28, 2017, compared to the same period last year.

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., March 13, 2017—Vail Resorts fiscal 2017 second quarter results for the period ending Jan. 31 show growth in just about every category compared to the same period last year, with Whistler Blackcomb driving much of the increase. The slow start to the winter season in Colorado dragged the results a bit for the rest of the company.

SAM Magazine—Dover, Vt., March 13, 2017—Snow continues to be the story here in the States as well as in Europe.

SAM Magazine—Denver, March 13, 2017—Sales tax collections in Colorado’s mountain communities once again reached an all-time high in 2016, mirroring the steep climb of skier visit numbers, resort revenues, and statewide tourism numbers since 2012, according to a report in The Denver Post. And while winter is still the high season, it’s difficult to call the non-winter months the “off-season” any longer.

SAM Magazine—Dover, Vt., March 9, 2017—Season-pass launch season has begun, and many 2017-18 products are currently available at their introductory prices. There are also some updates and additions to the mix.

SAM Magazine—Durango, Colo., March 3, 2017—The Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board identified several deficiencies during a lift inspection at Hesperus Ski Area, including signage, record keeping, general maintenance, and insufficient operator training, prompting management to close the ski area until the issues are addressed.

SAM Magazine—Sugar Mountain, N.C., March 3, 2017—The family of a teenager who was stranded on a chairlift after it closed last February at Sugar Mountain, N.C., is suing the resort for $75,000.

March 25 – April 1, 2017, Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
The annual Mountain Travel Symposium gathers more than 1,000 mountain travel experts from around the world for a week of networking, deal-making, education, and fun. Each day features a variety of programming geared toward growing the mountain travel business. Part of the programming is Wednesday and Thursday’s MTS Forum—a series of discussions and seminars led by top industry professionals.

SAM Magazine—Dover, Vt., March 1, 2017—As usual, Mother Nature played the biggest role in how successful the Presidents’ holiday period was for ski areas across the country. In general, it appears that a majority of the nation’s ski areas fared pretty well.

Welcome to the February edition of Snow People, our monthly roundup of happenings to prominent people in the mountain resort industry.

SAM Magazine—Killington, Vt., Feb. 23, 2017—Resort managers and operators from across North America will gather at the 2017 edition of SAM’s Summer Ops Camp, Sept. 5-7, at Killington in central Vermont. The annual hands-on educational and networking event focuses on maximizing four-season operations and revenue, which makes Killington and its ongoing multi-million dollar investment into summer attractions and activities an ideal location for the event.