National Ski Council Federation Newsbeat
January 2018
KSL/Henry Crown Joint Venture Has a Name: Alterra Mountain Company. The joint venture of affiliates of KSL Capital Partners (Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows) and Henry Crown and Company (Aspen Skiing Company) that curated 12 mountain resorts across North America last year can now be referred to as something other than “yet-to-be-named entity” or “NewCo.” Meet the newly named Alterra Mountain Company. The joint venture subsequently purchased Intrawest, Mammoth Resorts, and Deer Valley Resort in 2017, bringing their resort total to 12. More. SAM
Skier Signed Liability Waiver, Court Rules She Can’t Sue for Broken Leg. A woman taking a ski lesson at Keystone, Colo. resort breaks her leg as she tries to exit chairlift. Must the resort operator pay damages? Indeed not, says the Tenth Circuit. She signed a waiver waiving liability for lift-unloading accidents, and there’s no sound reason to waive that waiver or to waive the other waiver that was printed on the back of her lift ticket. More. Submitted by William Shadbolt, Past NSCF Vice President.
Winter Park Wins Dispute Over Service Dogs on Lifts. In an important legal ruling, the Colorado Civil Rights Division sided in favor of Winter Park Resort over a recent disability discrimination claim against the resort regarding its restriction on service animals riding chairlifts. It’s the first legal challenge ever against a ski area over service animal restrictions on chairlifts. More. SAM
No Hibernating During January–Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and resorts in twenty-six states already are offering more than 100 special offers for beginners who want to learn the sports. More. SnoCountry
Vermont Resorts Discount Learn to Ski or Snowboard Packages. Friends don’t let friends sit inside all winter. Introduce someone to skiing or snowboarding this season, for beginner lessons at Vermont resorts are for anyone looking to pick up a winter sport and enjoy time in the state’s beautiful Green Mountains — and there could be a benefit for you. The Take 3 Beginner Package encourages new skiers and snowboarders to get out on Vermont’s mountains for three days of lessons for only $129. More. First Tracks!!
A Realistic Defense of Skiing the East. Last December, for the first time in five years, I skied in the Northeast. I was born in New Hampshire and grew up riding chairlifts across northern New England. Eventually I went west for college and—like many before me—became hooked on the bigger mountains, better weather, and deeper powder. I had convinced myself that the resorts I left behind were too small and icy to be worth my time. But last winter, a good friend invited me to do some early season skiing with him at Sugarbush in Vermont. I got my ass kicked. More. Outside Magazine
Behind the Scenes with Jackson Hole’s Grooming Team. Jackson’s continuous steep vertical makes it one of the hardest mountains in the world to groom, but the team works tirelessly through the night to harvest the fresh corduroy. The 3-minute video takes a look at what goes on behind the scenes as they perfect the cord in the harshest conditions. More. Snowsports Industries America (SIA)
Chicago Metro Ski Council’s Norge Ski Club Jumper Makes Olympic Team. The club has the possibility of having three skiers in the Olympics this year. Norge is the only CMSC ski jumping club. Michael Glasder has qualified for the 2018 Olympics. CMSC has supported and helped this club through the years. More. Chicago Tribune, submitted by Ray Piwowarczyk of CMSC.
The Woman Making Bomber Women’s Skis. Jen Gurecki had zero experience designing skis—until she decided to start her own women’s ski company. More. Outside
Five Great Ski Areas You’ve Never Heard Of. Big, well-known resorts have high-speed lifts, stellar terrain, and flashy base area amenities like slopeside hotels and vibrant après bars. They also tend to be crowded, hyped up, and crazy expensive. So why not plan your next ski trip to a lesser-known mountain? At these smaller, off-the-radar places, you’ll still be treated to quality terrain, soft snow, and, with any luck, empty slopes. More. Outside
Let’s Do Lunch on The Mountain. Refueling at lunchtime is a long-standing tradition among skiers and riders. And doing so on the mountain – rather than in a crowded base lodge – suits those who don’t want to lose their edge while they pause to eat. SnoCountry.com took a look around the country for some of the best lunch spots up on the hill, and here’s what they came up with. More. SnoCountry
Meet the New NSAA Boss. Ski Area Management interviews Kelly Pawlak, the National Ski Areas Association’s new president and CEO. More. SAM
