Summer Operations Articles

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September 2024
Funding the Fight Against Wildfires

Western ski areas are figuring out how to fund costly, but necessary, vegetation management projects to mitigate wildfire risk. With the increased need for wildfire mitigation initiatives, vegetation management projects at Western resorts have become a core component for reducing risk, protecting Western ski areas are figuring out how to fund costly, but necessary, vegetation management...
July 2024
Summertime is not Slumbertime

Resorts look to weddings, mountain biking, and more to bolster summer operations, a small but growing piece of the revenue pie. In early June, with winter over and the snow melted, resorts were kicking off their warm-season business with mountain coasters, zip lines, adventure parks, and all manne Resorts look to weddings, mountain biking, and more to bolster summer operations, a small but...
May 2024
Coasting Along

The mountain coaster market is expanding and new tech is improving safety and throughput. When Jiminy Peak, Mass, installed a Wiegand alpine coaster in 2006 as part of a major investment in year-round operations, staff didn’t realize it would remain one of the resort’s most popular attract The mountain coaster market is expanding and new tech is improving safety and throughput.
May 2024
From Tee to Green

How to improve your golf course—and maybe its ranking—without breaking the bank. It’s not easy to be a golf course attached to a ski resort. Cold weather, short seasons, and rugged terrain conspire against many such courses reaching and maintaining a top status on a golf magazine ranking How to improve your golf course—and maybe its ranking—without breaking the bank.
January 2024
Capital Ideas for Summer

Experts dish on how to survive (and thrive during) summer construction projects. During summer, the challenge of balancing capital improvement construction zones, staff schedules and tasks, and providing guests with activities and positive experiences requires a lot of planning, strong communicati Experts dish on how to survive (and thrive during) summer construction projects.
November 2023
Defining Summer Success

When it comes to a successful operation, profit is only a piece of the puzzle. What defines success for a resort’s summer operations? Claire Humber of SE Group posed this question to a few areas ahead of SAM’s Summer Ops Camp in September, where a session she led examined the topic further. When it comes to a successful operation, profit is only a piece of the puzzle.
September 2023
Mountain Spy :: September 2023

Hiking at a resort. THE QUESTION: “My family wants to come hike at your resort, but we’re pretty inexperienced. Do you have any advice?” Hiking is a great, free activity to offer your guests that leverages your beautiful natural environment. So, you can imagine the Spy’s surprise when the Hiking at a resort.
July 2023
Adventure Playgrounds

Playgrounds can expand a ski area's appeal and help accommodate everyone in the family without straining staff or the checkbook. One of the first rules of being a good host is to have something for everybody. That can be a challenge at ski areas in the summer, when the offerings tend to be less Playgrounds can expand a ski area's appeal and help accommodate everyone in the family without...
July 2023
Summer Booking, Summer Not

As of late spring, summer business was looking up, down, or on par-—for many different reasons. Remember the good old days when there were pandemic restrictions? When house-bound Americans were so eager to get out of the house for some fresh air they flocked to the mountains in record numbers? As of late spring, summer business was looking up, down, or on par-—for many different reasons.
May 2023
Getting to the Root of Forest Management

Three ski areas share the ins and outs of maintaining a healthy forest to mitigate wildfire risk, combat pest infestations, and improve safety. Forest health is at the heart of sound and sustainable ski area management. The maintenance of a healthy forest through practices like thinning, prescribe Three ski areas share the ins and outs of maintaining a healthy forest to mitigate wildfire risk,...
March 2023
Purpose, Perspective, and People

Mountain bike industry professionals discuss creating a sustainable and responsible summer operation. In September 2022, the Mountain Bike Tourism Symposium (MBTS) brought together a hive of trail advocates to SilverStar Mountain Resort, B.C., for its biennial conference. There, trail builders, bi Mountain bike industry professionals discuss creating a sustainable and responsible summer...
March 2023
Selling Summer

While your winter value proposition is well established, selling your summer offerings is often trickier. Here’s how to stand out in the “off season.” Ski resort operators are experts at selling winter to the snow-loving population. Even those newer to skiing and riding understand the ide While your winter value proposition is well established, selling your summer offerings is often...
September 2022
New Products :: September 2022

A collection of new tools, activities, and equipment. MND: ADRENAZIP The new AdrenaZip trolley from MND Leisure uses new in-line braking technology that can adapt to slope steepness, up to a 30 percent grade. Two braking blocks on the wheels and non-contact braking eliminate wear and tear on th A collection of new tools, activities, and equipment.
July 2022
New Products :: July 2022

A variety of new items for ski area operators to consider. Demaclenko: EVO 3.0 The EVO 3.0 is the latest Demaclenko fan gun in the compact class, offering versatility and energy-efficiency. Features include a new nozzle ring for snowmaking in marginal temps, a throwing range of 197 feet ( A variety of new items for ski area operators to consider.
March 2022
Summer Ops in Hindsight

With more than a decade of summer operations under their belts, resort operators have learned what works and what doesn’t, and can see what’s next. When New Mexico’s Red River Ski & Summer Area introduced its scenic summer chairlift ride more than 60 years ago, operators could not have f With more than a decade of summer operations under their belts, resort operators have learned what...
March 2022
Luxury Gone Wild

The growth in popularity of glamping, a.k.a. glamorous camping, cannot be ignored. Learn from resorts that are making the most of the opportunity. Glamping, a.k.a. glamorous camping, is on the rise. Chic, rustic retreats where accommodations range from yurts to safari tents to covered wagons hav The growth in popularity of glamping, a.k.a. glamorous camping, cannot be ignored. Learn from...
July 2021
Summer of Love

It will take thoughful guest education for newcomers and veterans alike to feel happy and safe as they embrace the outdoors this summer. After what could be called the “summer of stop right here and obey all kinds of rules,” the mountain sports industry is about to dive into a new era. Call it It will take thoughful guest education for newcomers and veterans alike to feel happy and safe as...
July 2021
Forecasting a Summer Swell

With Covid-19 loosening its grip on the country, the outdoor recreation boom it spawned shows no sign of letter up. Last summer, in the midst of the pandemic, ski resorts had no idea what to expect except masks, cleaning, social distancing, capacity limits, and a hard pause on weddings and group e With Covid-19 loosening its grip on the country, the outdoor recreation boom it spawned shows no...
March 2021
Welcome to the Outdoors

The huge influx of new outdoor participants is an opportunity resorts can capitalize on in 2021, and beyond. As the pandemic changed life as we know it last summer and resorts struggled to not only plan for this winter but to make the best of the warm season as well, something stra The huge influx of new outdoor participants is an opportunity resorts can capitalize on in 2021,...
March 2021
Make the Most of Summer

These fun, welcoming, and revenue-driving activities and attractions could be just the ticket for boosting summer business. Last summer, the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) shared preliminary data confirming what many anecdotally suspected—outdoor recreation was up amid the pandemic. That’s These fun, welcoming, and revenue-driving activities and attractions could be just the ticket for...