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The next generation of leaders are SAM readers. SAM offers discounted magazine subscriptions for college students and professors teaching industry-related courses. Explore the options below or reach out to karolyn@saminfo.com if your program has different needs. 50% Off Individual Subscriptions College students interested in subscribing to SAM magazine receive 50% off an annual subscription. This includes: 6 print issues, delivered in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Unlimited access to the digital archives, and early access to magazine content. Discounts on SAM programs and events. Shipping Location Price with Discount United States $32....
December 9, 2013 -- Gregg Blanchard
I love Throwback Thursday for two reasons.
First, as a sucker for all things ski history, it’s fun to see the resorts dip into their archives and throw way back to the early days of lift-served skiing.
Second, I love that it comes with a little less pressure to create something new.
Quandary
December 3, 2013 -- Greg Blanchard
I typically ride my bike to the office every day, but lately I’ve had to make a goal of 3 days a week as temperatures have already been below 0° F this month. Driving, however, has it’s perks. A few quiet minutes in the car each day allows me to once again do something I did last winter: talk to myself.
November 27, 2013 -- Gregg Blanchard
Time to highlight some simple marketing again.
This time, it comes from Timber Ridge Lodge in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. I don’t think I’ve ever featured any of their efforts before, but in the spirit of simplicity, I’ll tone down my yakking and jump right in:
November 21, 2013 -- Gregg Blanchard
This week, I decided to take a quick look at how snow reporting stands now and the best practices that exist. To find my answer, I went to my not-in-the-industry-anymore-but-knows-100x-more-than-me source, Alex Kaufman.
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Gregg: First, give me a few reasons why it's best to send a snow report early. Make a case for that practice.
Summer Ops Camp gathers operators and suppliers together to discuss the many money-making opportunities to be had outside of the winter operating months. From aerial adventure parks to mountain coasters and from water features to ziplines, operators learn about new ideas and best practices from vendors and fr...
SAM Magazine--May 22, 2013--Timberline, Mt. Hood--The 2013 Cutter's Camp gathers over 80 campers and panelists at Timberline Lodge, Ore., for SAM Magazine's 11th annual Cutter's Camp--a hands-on education and networking event that gathers like-minded individuals who all share a passion for the progression of freestyle terrain. This was the western installment of the camp (the East was held last month at Carinthia, Mount Snow). Together, the camps drew over 130 resorts from North America and some overseas.
Lift MAINTENANCE MANAGER AT WISP RESORT Wisp Resort in McHenry, Maryland is seeking a talented, experienced leader to head our Lift Maintenance team. Must have knowledge in troubleshooting and repair involving mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems. Applicants must be safety orientated and able to work comfortably at heights in all weather conditions.
Holiday Valley, like many other high-volume rental shops, has adopted a reduced-sole-length system, in this case, the Elan/Dalbello system. While that speeds the process, it also allows Holiday Valley to decide how much customer service to provide.
Mammoth has recently redone its rental shops to make flow easier, and to make time in rental more enjoyable for the customer. Formerly, guests arrived at the entry station, then moved to the cashier station, then the boot room, and the ski window, and finally to the benches where techs adjusted bindings. Guests waited in four or five lines.
Now, guests enter and input their info at one station, then proceed to a cashier/boot station, where they also get their skis. Everything takes place in that one area, and that speeds the process.
Stratton uses a combination of efficient layout and personal attention to provide a more upscale and service-oriented rental experience. To avoid bottlenecks, Stratton emphasizes advance online reservations and employs a square layout that rotates guests through the shop, with lots of assistance for those who need it, and an expedited routine for repeat customers and those with reservations.
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| Ski dispatch counters at Pats Peak. All are on wheels, to allow flexibility in layout. |
Pats Peak goes heavy on customer service. Staff greet renters, help them sign up, point out the shortest lines, and generally explain the entire process.
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| Digital message boards greet renters at the Snow Trails (Ohio) rental shop cash registers. |
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Snowsports Director,Mt. Ashland, Ore. Age: 28 Education: B.S.B.A., Ski Business and Resort Management, Sierra Nevada College 
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