SAM November 2024

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VOL. 63, NO. 6, NOVEMBER 2024

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ON THE COVER One of the many “Events” entries in this year’s SAM Terrain Park Contest, the Boulder Hill Jam was put on by Eldora on a city street near the University of Colorado. Terrain park events seemed to come back in a big way in 2023-24; the category had about twice as many entries as any of the other three.

Photo credit: Cullen McHale Cover design: Joerg Dressler  42

TERRAIN PARK CONTEST 2024 Our annual contest shows how park builders flexed their creativity and ambition during the 2023-24 winter season. By the Editors and Jess Goucher

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48 STAYING UNIFORM

56 FINDING BALANCE

63 MAKING SNOW THE CROSS-COUNTRY WAY Fickle snowfall has some cross-country ski areas investing in snowmaking systems of all sizes. Is the investment worth it? By Peter Oliver

From major manufacturers and wholesale suppliers to smaller brands and accessory makers, ski areas have a lot of options to keep staff comfortable, warm, and looking good. By Helen Olsson

How do residents and homeowners in Colorado mountain communities feel about their quality of life and the tourism economy? In summary: there’s work to be done. By Tom Foley

52 REV YOUR ENGINES!

60 CONSTRUCTION SITE

Why it’s important for your new or renovated building to be a revenue-generating engine, and

Boots-on-the-ground details from several capital improvement projects in North America. By Peter Landsman

how to make it so. By John Ashworth

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