SAM SEPTEMBER 2025


NEWS AND VIEWS
8

A budget pass boom; Nederland's gambit; Kottke conclusions; early SIA data; and more.
6

ROUNDUP
16

Ski area J-1 recruitment for 2025-26 is proceeding mostly as normal, but the future of the program is less certain.
16

NEW PRODUCTS
20

Several products and services aimed at optimizing ops and enhancing guest engagement.
20

MOUNTAIN SPY
26

The Spy asks: “I’ve never ridden a bicycle. Can I learn to mountain bike at your bike park?”
26

TECHNOLOGY
28

Early use cases illustrate how ski areas are experimenting with AI tools in ops.
28

FOOD & BEVERAGE
34

How to use oft-overlooked menu design to protect your margin and drive sales.
34

AFTER THE ICE
40

After a catastrophic March storm glazed The Highlands in inches of ice, it took grit, teamwork, and chainsaws for the resort to recover.
40

OUR PLAN IS OUR POWER
44

How strategic planning helped two small ski areas grow their bottom lines, engage staff, and future-proof their businesses.
44

CONSTRUCTION SITE
48

A look at summer construction projects across the country, including new lifts, lodges, and snowmaking infrastructure.
48

A WORRISOME "NEW NORMAL"
50

Ski areas are receiving lower guest satisfaction and loyalty scores; they shouldn’t be complacent about it.
50

WIND HOLD
54

Wind is a constant variable in lift operations, but experience, technology, and teamwork help mitigate the risks.
54

WARM-UP ACT
58

Learn what happens to our joints, muscles, and nerves when we don’t properly prepare for physical activity (it’s not good), why warming up is necessary, and simple ways to do it
58

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