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  • Pacific Group Resorts, Inc. Submits Top Bid for Jay Peak at $76 Million

    PGRI president and CEO Vern Greco shares his thoughts on the acquisition with SAM. SAM Magazine—Jay, Vt., Sept. 8, 2022—Pacific Group Resorts, Inc. (PGRI) made the highest and best final bid to buy Jay Peak, $76 million, following an auction with multiple bidders. PGRI president and CEO Vern Greco told SAM that after three years spent pursuing the acquisition, PGRI is poised to bring renewed stability to the resort and its staff, and tap into its passion and energy. The prevailing bid remains subject to approval by the United States District Court in Southern Florida during a final hearing scheduled for Sept. 16. Judge Darrin P. Gayles, who has presided over the receivership in federal...

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Ski Blandford Will Not Open Next Season

SAM Magazine—Blandford, Mass., March 26, 2020—Ski Blandford in western Massachusetts will not operate next season. The ski area was purchased in 2017 by the owners of nearby Butternut, and they made a variety of improvements to lifts and snowmaking. However, the area has continued to lose money, and coupled with the current economic uncertainti...

New Owners Investing $10 Million at Timberline Mountain, W.Va.

SAM Magazine—Davis, W.Va., March 26, 2020—Timberline Mountain in West Virginia closed in the middle of the 2018-19 season, fell into bankruptcy soon after, and was purchased in December by the owners of Indiana’s Perfect North Slopes. Now, amid the COVID-19 turmoil, the new owners shared good news: plans to invest more than $10 million at Tim...

NSAA Advocates for Industry Benefits in Corona Stimulus Package

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...

How to Prioritize Decisions in This Crisis

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 subscription for someone in need. Together, #WeGotThis. 

SAM Magazine—Vail, Colo., March 24, 2020—These are stressful times, and there's not much time to plan ahead. So, on Saturday SAM talked to someone who thoroughly understands the business, and has time to think: Chris Jarnot, recently retired SVP of Vail Resorts and a veteran of more than 30 years in the industry (and 2007 SAMMY Hall of Famer). We asked about strategies and tactics for the coming days, weeks, and months, and what past crises might teach us.

Insurance and Risk Management Considerations During COVID-19 Shutdowns

By Tim Barnhorst, CPCU, ARM,MountainGuard If your resort is closed for the season, focus on discontinuing operations as you would during the end of a normal season. Some specific actions to consider: Unplug computer equipment and point of sale systems in on-mountain lodges and buildings that will not get used during the off-season to avoid dam...

Looking Ahead: Staffing Needs and Policy Changes

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...

Former Hermitage Club Sold at Auction

SAM Magazine—Wilmington, Vt., March 20, 2020—The former Hermitage Club in southern Vermont was sold at auction today to a group of former members for $8,060,000. The sale includes the ski area on Haystack Mountain, a golf course, several local inns, and more. The Vermont Department of Taxes shut down the Hermitage Club in 2018 for missing more...

Technology in Times of Trouble

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...

Season Pass Concessions in Response to Shortened Season

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...

Business and Finance Considerations During the Coronavirus Crisis

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...

NSAA 2020 National Convention and Tradeshow Canceled

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...

Inntopia Adapts Platform Into COVID-19 Testing Appointment Scheduler

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...

Business Continuity: The Sale Must Go On

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...

Nominate a Rising Star for the SAM “10 Under 30”

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., March 17, 2020—Is there a 20-something rising star at your ski area who is poised to make an impact and climb through the ranks? If so, we encourage you to submit a nomination for him or her to be profiled as one of the “10 Under 30” in the July issue of SAM magazine. Nominations are due by April 22. This annua...

150 or More Resorts Close Due to COVID-19, Some Remain Open

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...

Vail Resorts to Close North American Resorts for the Season

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...

COVID-19: Thoughts on Resort Marketing Next Steps

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...

The Letter Your Employee Can’t Write Right Now

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...

Windham Mountain, Boyne Highlands, and Boyne Mountain to Cease Operations

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...

Alterra Suspends Operations March 15 Until Further Notice

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...

Vail Resorts Areas To Suspend Operations March 15-22

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., March 14, 2020—Vail Resorts is suspending the operations of all its North American mountain resorts and retail stores beginning Sunday, March 15, 2020 through Sunday, March 22, 2020 and will use that time to reassess its approach for the rest of the season. Excerpts from an open letter from Vail Resorts CEO Rob ...

Several Thoughts on the Emerging Coronavirus Situation

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...

Three Things Leaders Should Do As Coronavirus Occupies Our Brains

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...

Aspen Acts to Protect Guests from Coronavirus Exposure

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...

Coronavirus Shutters Berkshire East, Catamount, Pa. Lift Seminar, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Events, and More

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...

The Mountain Collective Adds Four New Destinations for 2020-21

SAM Magazine—Aspen, Colo., March 10, 2020—The Mountain Collective will include 22 destinations for the 2020-21 season with the addition of Sugarloaf, Maine; Panorama, B.C.; Grand Targhee, Wyo., and the Chamonix region of France. Passes go on sale today. “We are excited to bring The Mountain Collective back for the ninth season with the l...

Alterra Plans $223 Million in Capital Improvements Before Winter 2020-21

SAM Magazine—Denver, March 10, 2020—Alterra Mountain Company unveiled plans to invest $223 million in capital improvements across its 15 North American mountain destinations ahead of the 2020-21 winter season. The plan includes $50 million for base area facility development, $48 million toward new lifts and upgrades, expanded terrain, and state...

Steady Q2, But Uncertainty Looms for Vail Resorts

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., March 10, 2020—For the three months ending Jan. 31, 2020, Vail Resorts (VR) total lift revenue increased 8.2 percent, driven by an 8.8 percent growth in skier visitation—including results from Peak Resorts—despite Stevens Pass and Whistler Blackcomb experiencing 14 percent decline in skier visits du...

2020-21 New England Pass Extends Offerings

SAM Magazine—Lincoln, N.H., March 10, 2020—The New England Pass kicked off its annual flash sale yesterday. The pass, which offers direct-to-lift access to Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine, and Loon Mountain, N.H., is available starting at $50 down until March 15, 2020. New England Pass has also extended its offerings for next season to incl...

Special Report: How Mountain Resorts Can Adapt to COVID-19

By Skip King, Reputation StrategiesWhether you think the concern—even panic—over COVID-19 is warranted or not is immaterial. The fact is that it’s the leading worldwide story, and it’s likely to stay that way for a while.Part of that is because the news media attracts more ears and eyeballs when something big and alarming is happening. If y...

Arizona Snowbowl Going Big with New Telemix Lift

SAM Magazine—Flagstaff, Ariz., March 6, 2020—Arizona Snowbowl will be replacing its Agassiz chairlift with a state-of-the-art combination Telemix lift from Leitner-Poma. The new high-speed lift will feature six-person chairs interspersed with eight-person gondola cabins and will climb 2,000 vertical feet in less than seven minutes—less than h...

SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19 AND THE ECONOMY

seven things to expect for destination travel businesses By Tom Foley, Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Analytics for Inntopia We’re providing this narrative as a proactive discussion about the potential impacts of the spreading Covid-19 virus, its economic consequences, and the potential impact on the destination travel industr...

2020-21 Pass Wars Begin

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., March 4, 2020—Next season’s pass wars are off and running. Alterra announced several days ago that it will put its 2020-21 Ikon passes on sale March 5. Not to be outdone, Vail Resorts’ Epic, with a new Northeast Value Pass and mountain rewards, went on sale March 3. Other resorts beat the big two to the punch...

Dirk Gouwens Named Ski Maine Executive Director

SAM Magazine—Portland, Maine, March 3, 2020—Ski Maine Association has hired Dirk Gouwens as the organization’s new executive director. Gouwens will replace Greg Sweetser, who is retiring in May after 24 years leading the association. Ski Maine represents 16 alpine ski areas and 21 Nordic ski centers in the state. Gouwens has been the U....

Presidents' Week Crowds Boost Business for Many

SAM Magazine—Burlington, Vt., Feb. 27, 2020—Many resorts saw the usual uptick in crowds over Presidents' Day weekend and into the midweek, despite some experiencing a mixed bag of weather prior to the holiday. The weekend, and the holiday week in the Midwest and Northeast, was strong all along the northern tier and in the Rockies.At Cannon Moun...

“A Day for Jake” to Honor Burton Founder Jake Carpenter

SAM Magazine—Burlington, Vt., Feb. 26, 2020—Burton Snowboards has organized “A Day for Jake,” Friday, March 13, 2020, to honor the memory and legacy of the company’s founder, Jake Burton Carpenter, who died in November. Thirteen mountain resorts around the world are celebrating by offering free lift tickets to snowboarders of all ability ...

Western Lodging Softens Despite Ample Snow

SAM Magazine—Denver, Feb. 20, 2020—Despite widely-reported exceptional skiing and riding, lodging occupancy is slipping year-over-year at many Western resorts, according to the most recent Market Briefing released by DestiMetrics from Inntopia. However, rates continue to creep up, allowing lodging properties to maintain healthy revenue results....

Marquette Mountain Under New Ownership

SAM Magazine—Marquette, Mich., Feb. 20, 2020—A staple of the Upper Michigan ski scene is changing hands. Peter and Lois O’Devero have sold Marquette Mountain and its surrounding 330 acres to Eric and Sarah Jorgensen of Hartland, Wis., owners of transportation company JX Enterprises Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.Founded in 1...

Report: Colorado Has a New Ski Area. Or Does It?

by Tom WinterWhat has been billed as “Colorado’s first new ski area in nearly 20 years” looks suspiciously like a backcountry ski guide operation. The “ski area,” Bluebird Backcountry, plans to open approximately 1,500 acres of skiable terrain with 2,200 feet of vertical drop to the general public on Feb. 15. Three hundred acres of this i...

Snow People - February

Snow People is our monthly roundup of happenings to the people of and around the mountain resort industry. Send any personnel news to: news@saminfo.com. CHRIS JARNOT, MAYFLOWER MOUNTAIN VILLAGE, UTAH Industry veteran , and former SAMMY winner, Chris Jarnot has accepted a consulting role with Extell Development Company (EDC), focusing on Extell’...

NSAA Eastern Conference Draws Big Crowd

SAM Magazine—Killington, Vt., Feb. 7, 2020—Following a strong western meeting in Squaw Valley, the 2020 National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Eastern Winter Conference and Trade Show was held at Killington Resort, Feb. 4 and 5. A big crowd of 677 ski area operators, suppliers, and speakers gathered for informative sessions, great skiing and rid...

White Pine Ski Area Up for Sale

SAM apologizes for a previous rendition of this article that had inaccuracies. Please note this was updated on Febuary 9, 2020 to reflect requested changes.  SAM Magazine—Sublette County, Wyo., Feb. 7, 2020—The White Pine Ski Area and Resort outside Pinedale, Wyoming, is being put up for sale by the majority owners of Citizens to Save Whi...

Squaw/Alpine Gondola Lawsuit Dropped, Project Moving Forward

SAM Magazine – Olympic Valley, Calif., Feb. 6, 2020 – The Granite Chief Wilderness Protection League reached an agreement with Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows to dismiss the lawsuit against the approval of the Squaw’s Base-to-Base Gondola. The lawsuit originally challenged the adequacy of the environmental analysis and the County Board ...

Winter Jam NYC Brings Snowsports to Central Park

SAM Magazine—New York City, Feb. 5, 2020—Roughly 15,000 people came out to play on the snow and ice for Winter Jam NYC, held Saturday, Feb. 1 in New York City’s Central Park. Presented by NYC Parks, the Olympic Regional Development Authority, I Love NY, and I Ski NY, the free event featured a variety of winter sports and activities for visito...

Outdoor Participation Report Highlights Alarming Trends

SAM Magazine—Denver, Feb. 4, 2020—The Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), released its annual study of participation in outdoor recreation activities, and the results are sobering. According to the 2019 Outdoor Participation Report, Americans are staying inside more and more while engaging less frequ...

SIA Rebrands Consumer Expos

SAM Magazine—Denver, Feb. 4, 2020—After finalizing its acquisition of the Denver and Boston Ski and Snowboard Expos from BEWI Productions, Snowsports Industries America (SIA) has rebranded the events and unveiled the 2020 dates. The newly minted “Snowbound” consumer expos will take place Nov. 6-8, 2020 in Denver, and Nov. 19-22 in Boston, M...

Arctaris Acquires Saddleback

SAM Magazine—Rangeley, Maine, Jan. 31, 2020—Boston investment firm Arctaris Impact Fund completed a reported $6.5 million acquisition of Saddleback Mountain ski area from the Berry family on Friday afternoon. The resort has been closed since 2015 when the Berrys couldn’t secure financing to replace the primary chairlift, and have been seeki...

Registration for Cutter’s Camp is Open

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Jan. 29, 2020—Registration is open for the 18th annual spring session of Cutter's Camp, May 11-15, 2020, at Timberline, Mt. Hood, Ore. The weeklong program for terrain park professionals features on-hill and classroom workshops, including the return of one-on-one customized operator coaching. Program highlights incl...

Outdoor Industry Association Introduces Climate Action Corps

SAM Magazine—Denver, Jan. 29, 2020—The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) unveiled its new climate and sustainability initiative, the Climate Action Corps, at its annual sustainability meetings in Denver ahead of the Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show. The aim of the Climate Action Corps is to support outdoor brands, retailers, manufacturers, and sup...

Bristol Mountain Wins 2019-20 I AM a Snowmaker Contest

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Jan. 28, 2020—The snowmaking crew from Bristol Mountain, N.Y., emerged as the winner in this year’s HKD and SAM “I AM a Snowmaker” contest. More than 10,000 votes were cast for the seven resort snowmaking crews in a close contest, with Bristol coming out on top by only a few hundred votes. The 13-day voting per...

The Industry Says Goodbye to Ski Pioneer John Fry

The mountain resort industry sadly lost one of its true pioneers with the sudden, but peaceful, death of John Fry on Jan. 24, 2020, two days after celebrating his 90th birthday with his wife Marlies in Puerto Rico.  Fry devoted much of his life to ski journalism, serving on the staffs of SKI LIFE, SKI, Snow Country, Skiing Heritage (now Skiin...

SUMMER OPS CAMP 2020 HEADS TO JACKSON HOLE

SAM Magazine—Jackson, Wyo., Jan. 24, 2020—The 12th annual SAM Summer Ops Camp is headed to the Wild West. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo., and the Tetons will serve as home base for Camp Sept. 8-10, 2020, and help bring the fast-changing state of summer operations into sharp focus. This fully immersive, hands-on educational event gathers re...

BUSINESS REPORT: VISITORS SWARM RESORTS OVER MLK WEEKEND

SAM Magazine—Burlington, Vt., Jan. 24, 2020—Fresh snow combined with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day long weekend made for a perfect storm at North American ski resorts, which saw a huge uptick in volume as skiers and snowboarders flocked to the mountains. Happy skiers at Gunstock over MLK weekend East In the Northeast, January’s dry st...

Snow People—January 2020

Snow People is our monthly roundup of happenings to the people of and around the mountain resort industry. Send any personnel news to: news@saminfo.com.Longtime lift mechanic and operations manager Jeff Harvey Sr., right, stands with his son, Jeff Jr., at Ski Butternut. Jeff Harvey, Sr., and Jeff Harvey, Jr., Ski Butternut, Mass.Jeff Harvey Sr., o...

Sleeping Giant to Suspend Operations Starting in 2020-21

SAM Magazine—Cody, Wyo., Jan. 22, 2020—The board of directors for Yellowstone Recreations Foundation, the not-for-profit that owns and operates Sleeping Giant Recreation Area, said it plans to suspend winter operations after this season due to an annual financial deficit of more than $200,000. “Sleeping Giant will continue operating through ...

Bidders Emerge for Hermitage Club Assets

SAM Magazine—Wilmington, VT., Jan. 22, 2020—The former Hermitage Club, a private ski area and golf club in southern Vermont that’s been shut down since 2018 due to foreclosure, has received two separate offers totaling roughly $7.5 million for its assets, possibly beginning an auction process that could happen as soon as late-February. Bankr...

Vail Resorts Sees Early-Season Visits Drop

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., Jan. 22, 2020—For the early portion of the winter season through Jan. 5, Vail Resorts (VR) has reported a 7.8 percent decline in skier visits across its portfolio of resorts compared to the prior winter, when early-season visits were very strong. Lift ticket revenues, including an allocated portion of season pass...

2020 SAMMY Award Nomination Period Opens

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Jan. 21, 2020—The nomination period for the 2020 SAMMY Leadership Awards is now open. SAM invites members of the winter sports industry to nominate leaders who they believe deserve recognition. Nominations close March 13, 2020. The SAMMY Leadership Awards honor individuals who, at mid-career, demonstrate the innovati...

Gunstock Hires Tom Day as New GM

SAM Magazine—Gilford, N.H., Jan. 20, 2020—The Gunstock Area Commission (GAC) has hired former Waterville Valley general manager Tom Day as the new president and general manager of Gunstock Mountain Resort, effective Jan. 15. He succeeds longtime GM Greg Goddard, who will end his successful tenure at the resort Jan. 21.  Day was hired afte...

Head USA Donates to Share Winter Foundation

SAM Magazine—Boulder, Colo., Jan 17, 2020—Head USA has made a substantial donation to the Share Winter Foundation as part of the Snowsports Industries America (SIA) Generation Snow industry-match initiative. The program challenges winter industry companies to match or even exceed SIA’s previous $40,000 Share Winter donation. The Share Winter...