National Ski Council Federation Newsbeat
May 2021
Ski Industry Clientele Got Younger, More Diverse During Covid. Going into the pandemic, the ski industry faced challenges due largely to its core constituency aging out of the activity and younger generations showing less interest in hitting the slopes. But during Covid-19 restrictions on indoor activities, demographics at U.S. ski areas have broadened, early data suggests. More. Travel Weekly via Google Alerts
Survey: U.S. drive-to travel trend continues in ’21. The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) has released new polling data from a survey of more than 2,000 individuals in the U.S. on travel preferences in 2021. The data reveals travelers value a wide array of travel options that facilitate easy planning and booking and prioritize safety as travel is expected to boom this year. More. Hotel Business via Inntopia | Destimetrics
Thousands of Injuries at Colorado Ski Resorts Go Untracked. Lawmakers Are Trying to Change That. A bill before lawmakers this week would require Colorado ski resorts to publicly report injury and fatality statistics, a measure that’s being met with strong resistance from the ski industry and its backers. Proponents say such a law would force resorts to be more accountable for safety problems. More. KUNC via Inntopia | Destimetrics
Alterra Plans $207 Million in Capital Improvements. Alterra Mountain Company plans to invest $207 million in capital improvements, including $111 million in resort projects at Steamboat, Deer Valley, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, and Mammoth Mountain; $31 million in enterprise technology systems; and $65 million in resort maintenance and planning. More. SAM
Squaw-Alpine Base-to-Base Gondola Project to Start This Summer. Construction will start this summer on a $60 million base-to-base gondola at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. The new gondola will take skiers and riders between the Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows bases in approximately 16 minutes. It’s a 7-mile drive between the resorts. More. Sierra Sun via Inntopia | Destimetrics
Alterra Forms Community Foundation. Alterra Mountain Company has established a new public charity, the Alterra Mountain Company Community Foundation. The Community Foundation will provide financial support to members of the North American communities in which Alterra operates. More. SAM
Snowbasin, Salomon Partner on Learn-to Program. Snowbasin Resort and Salomon are partnering in a program in which Salomon will provide Snowbasin with equipment for rentals and lessons. The partnership between the two northern Utah-based companies will add a community access point for Snowbasin guests and bolster offerings of Snowbasin’s “Learn & Earn” program, providing a more accessible and affordable learning experience for first-time skiers and snowboarders. More. SAM
Schweitzer (ID) Joins IKON Pass. Schweitzer, Idaho, has joined Alterra Mountain Company’s Ikon Pass for winter 2021-22. Schweitzer is the first Idaho resort to be included on the Ikon Pass, which now provides access to 45 mountain destinations. More. SAM
2021-22 Indy Pass Now on Sale, Adds Three Resorts. The 2021-22 Indy Pass went on sale April 27. It has also added three more partner resorts to its roster: Powder Mountain, Utah, Mt. Ashland, Ore., and West Mountain, N.Y. The pass will provide two days of access to 66 North American ski areas next winter. More. SAM
Freedom Pass Adds Four Resorts. Four new ski areas have signed on to the Freedom Pass for 2021: Cherry Peak and Eagle Point, Utah; Red River, N.M.; and Snow Valley, Calif. Like the other members, all are independent areas. More. SAM
Blue Mountain (PA) Resort to be Managed by Camelback Operator KSL. Blue Mountain Resort, which has been locally run for more than four decades, is now — or soon to be — under the management of the private equity-backed company that operates Camelback Resort in the Poconos. More. Morning Call via Google Alerts
Safety Bar Talk: Up, Down, When Does it Matter? People insist bar up, others say bar down– some simply ask, “when is the bar open?” Depending on the resort and the terrain, the preference can change. More. SnowBrains
Finally, A Way to Keep Old Ski Boots Out of the Landfill. Tecnica’s new “Recycle Your Boots” program will take back any used ski boots and give them a second life. More. Ski Magazine
