The Voice of the Mountain Resort Industry  |  Est. 1964

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  • Breaking Down the Cost Barrier

    Ski Cooper raised its financial performance by lowering ticket prices. At the annual Colorado Ski Country USA meeting in June 2024, members from nearly two dozen ski areas discussed the public’s perception of the ski industry, with many arguing that skiing has never been more affordable. But Nelson Holland, a content creator and new skier who…

  • A Sensible Collaboration

    At Big Sky Resort, patrollers and instructors gain from working with each other to improve safety, skills, and culture. It is a well-worn trope that snowsports instructors and ski patrollers don’t mix. Big Sky Resort in Montana is overcoming the historical divide by implementing formal cross-training programs for the two teams, which, combined, number 600…

  • Taking Control of Water

    Use best management practices to manage stormwater and prevent operational disasters. When Mike Taylor purchased New York’s Holiday Mountain Ski and Fun Park in May 2023, it was teetering on the brink of disrepair. Washed-out motocross trails replaced what were once vegetated ski trails, funneling water and dirt into places it didn’t belong. Instead of…

  • 2025 Groomer Report

    New technology plays an increasingly large role in modern snowcat development and operation. When we break it all down, a groom-ing machine serves two primary purposes: pushing piles of snow and leaving a smooth snow surface. And just about every aspect of a machine’s function has been modified with modern technology designed to make them…

  • Bite-Size Your Sustainability Efforts

    Tackle the hard truths about going green in your F&B. The sound of sustainability resonates so beautifully when it echoes within the four walls of the boardroom. Who doesn’t want to save the planet, reduce waste, lessen environmental impact, and serve locally sourced dishes that make guests want to open their wallets in appreciation for…

  • Party Time

    Unique events drive business in the early and late season. In December 2023, when Jay Peak, Vt., unveiled its first WinterShine event—a month-long celebration of twinkle lights and community with weekend fireworks and food, live music, and free s’mores—it “had an immediate impact on early December bookings,” said communications and marketing coordinator Dehlia Wright. “Given…

  • Homewood Master Plan Revision Approved

    SAM Magazine—Homewood, Calif. Jan. 27, 2025—The saga of Homewood Resort took another turn last week when the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) governing board approved Homewood’s revised master plan.Photo credit: Homewood Mountain Resort The plan will allow for major improvements, including a new gondola, replacement lift, mid-mountain lodge, hotel, and other real estate developments. It’s…

  • The Good, Bad, and Ugly in Vail Resorts Early Season Results

    SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., Jan. 17, 2025—Vail Resorts reported that season-to-date total skier visits for North America were down 0.3 percent while lift ticket revenue rose 4.5 percent from the beginning of the ski season through Jan. 5, 2025, compared to the prior year period through Jan. 7, 2024. Revenues from ancillary businesses were mixed. Snowsports school revenue was…

  • Another Bluebird Day

    Best practices in snow reporting, as told by an OG snow reporter who used to walk uphill both ways…in the snow. The snow report is a magical communication concoction: it’s information with a touch of safety messaging, a hint of sales and marketing, and a sprinkle of personality and entertainment. Mix it all together, and…

  • Off The Grid in Alaska

    A geothermal-powered resort in Alaska offers sustainability insights and inspiration. As sustainability initiatives and emission reduction goals grow in importance in the resort industry, it is possible to break away from the energy grid using natural resources and build with recycled materials. Here’s how one resort is doing it, with a complete closed-loop system, which…