National Ski Council Federation Newsbeat
November-December 2019
The Outdoor Business Climate Partnership Advocates in DC. In late October the Outdoor Business Climate partnership, a collaborative effort to address climate change between SIA, the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) met on Capitol Hill to spend time with lawmakers, pressing them to take urgent and decisive action on climate. More. SIA
The Outdoor Business Climate Partnership Applauds the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus. The Outdoor Business Climate Partnership (OBCP) applauded the formation of the new bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus. The new Senate Climate Solutions Caucus was formed in late October by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D- Del.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and plans to focus on finding solutions that would attack climate change in a way that is “durable, equitable and supportive of the American economy.” More. SNews via Google Alerts
‘It’s a Big Tent’: Amid Ski Industry Consolidation, Indie Areas Carve Out Niche. As consolidation brings more change to skiing and riding in the Northeast, independent ski areas are betting some consumers will want to stay “small.” “We think there’s room for all of us,” said Linsday DesLauriers, whose family owns Vermont’s Bolton Valley Resort, an independent ski area. More. Burlington NBC Channel via Destimetrics
Snowsports Industries America Launches “Generation Snow.” Snowsports Industries America (SIA) has announced a new platform, Generation Snow, to address the desire to increase participation in Winter snow sports. To launch this new initiative, SIA has partnered with the Share Winter Foundation, a national grantmaking organization working to improve the lives, health, and fitness of youth through winter sports. More. SIA Ed. Note: Constance Beverley, CEO of Share Winter was a speaker at the 2019 Annual Meeting in Jackson, WY.
Ski Idaho License Plate Celebrates 20 Years. The famous “Ski Idaho” license plate is celebrating 20 years this year. Ski Idaho announced recently its plate program has been around for 20 years – since January 1999. Bob Looper, Brundage Mountain Co. President and Idaho Ski Areas Association board chair, said it’s an important revenue stream for the nonprofit, which represents 18 alpine resorts in Idaho. More. Boise CBS station via Google Alerts.
Snow jobs: In Tight Labor Market, Ski Areas Up the Ante. It used to be that a free ski pass was enough to lure workers to seasonal jobs at mountain resorts. No longer. In the current tight labor market, ski areas across the country are having a tough time filling jobs, so they’re upping the ante by boosting wages, providing more housing and offering other perks to fill those jobs. More. AP via Bellefontaine (VT) Examiner & Google Alerts.
Mountain Capital Partners to Acquire Brian Head Resort. Mountain Capital Partners (MCP) has entered into an agreement to acquire Brian Head Resort in southern Utah. Brian Head will be the eighth resort in MCP’s portfolio of properties, which includes Nordic Valley Ski Resort, Utah; Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort and Pajarito Mountain, N.M.; Hesperus Ski Area and Purgatory Resort, Colo.; Arizona Snowbowl; and Spider Mountain Bike Park, Texas. More. SAM
New Agreement in Place for Sale of Saddleback. The owners of Saddleback, Maine’s third-largest ski area, have reached a new agreement to sell the mountain to Boston investment company Arctaris Impact Fund. The sale is expected to close in mid-December. More. SAM
Alterra to Acquire Sugarbush. Alterra Mountain Company has entered into an agreement to purchase Sugarbush Resort in Vermont, bringing the company’s portfolio up to 15 resorts throughout North America. More. SAM
Snowsports Industries America to Acquire BEWI Expos. Snowsports Industries America (SIA) has reached an agreement to acquire the Boston Ski and Snowboard Expo and the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Expo from BEWI Productions, Inc., which has produced the shows for more than 40 years. BEWI Productions, Inc., was founded in 1979 by industry luminary Bernie Weichsel. More. SAM
POWDR Purchases SilverStar. POWDR has acquired SilverStar Mountain Resort in British Columbia. SilverStar is the first Canadian property in POWDR’s portfolio, which includes 10 other resorts across California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Vermont, as well Woodward action sports company, heli-ski and river rafting outfitters, as well as media and entertainment holdings. More. SAM
Indy Pass Adds Two More Partner Resorts. The Indy Pass continues to grow, adding Black Mountain in New Hampshire and Detroit Mountain in Minnesota for the 2019-20 season. With these additions, Indy Pass now has 46 participating resorts: 16 in the East, 15 in the Midwest, and 15 in the West. More. SAM
Vail Resorts to Invest $210 Million for 2020-21. Vail Resorts plans to invest approximately $210 million to $215 million across its portfolio of resorts ahead of the 2020-21 season. The plan includes new chairlifts, terrain expansions, facility expansions and improvements, and technology upgrades. More. SAM
Insider Tips for Flying with Skis & Snowboards. Ed Note: This link gives a rundown of the policies of various airlines for checking skis and snowboards. More. OnTheSnow
