Tuesday, September 29, 2009

USDA Forest Service has published its new Outfitting and Guide Administrative Guidebook

The Forest Service has published its latest version of its Outfitting and Guide Administrative Guidebook. The Guidebook can be found at: Outfitting and Guide Administrative Guidebook.

All permitees or people wishing to conduct commercial activities on USDA Forest Service land should know and understand this book. Most ski areas in the western US operate on US Forest Service lands.

The Chapter Headings are:

Monday, September 21, 2009

Ski Area Updates

Moonlight Basin, Montana: Moonlight Basin is facing foreclosure: Moonlight Basin in Montana borrowed $100 million dollars from Lehman Brothers to finance continued development of the property. At present the resort owes $86.9 million and is in foreclosure.

See Moonlight Basin facing foreclosure

Battle Mountain Ski Resort, Minturn Colorado. Bobby Ginn gave up his company's stake in the Battle Mountain Ski Area outside of Minturn Colorado. The resort will be continued by a private investment company. Crave Real Estate Ventures.

For a background on the resort and info on this see: Ginn drops out of Vail Valley ski resort

Tamarack Resort, Idaho: Tamarack Resort is trying to keep the bankers foreclosing on various parts of the resort at bay. An Idaho Judge ruled recently that a bank could not repose the chairlifts. However it will be an issue if the resort will open this winter.

See Tamarack Resort fights off banks, searches for a buyer

Middlebury College Ski Area, Vermont: Middlebury College Ski Area is getting a $1.7 million dollar 3 person chairlift. The new chair replaces a 40 year old 2 person chair.

See Middlebury College Ski Area Getting Face-"Lift"

Sun Valley Idaho: Sun Valley Ski Resort has filed paperwork to the base area by 140 acres.

See Ski resort files papers for new project

Swain Resort, Vermont: The owners of Ski Denton in Coudersport, PA will take over operation of Swain Resort in Vermont. The resort was scheduled for liquidation if it did not sell by August 15, 2009.

See Ski Denton owners to take over Swain resort

Sleeping Giant Ski Area, Wyoming. Sleeping Giant Ski Area in Northern Wyoming will open Thanksgiving Day. The resort has been closed since 2004. Skiable terrain will increase from 45 to 180 acres. Lifts as well as a terrain park will be added. Yea!!

See Another Ski Resort to Open in 2009!!!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Event: Ski Season Kickoff Party 2009 to Benefit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center

Event: Ski Season Kickoff Party 2009

"A Fundraising Event for CAIC / FOBP / BSA"

What: Fundraiser

Start Time: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00pm End Time: Wednesday, September 30 at 9:00pm

Where: Bent Gate Mountaineering

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=133118014003&mid=11c5926G1e5dc624G35471b9G7

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

SAM Terrain Park Contest,

The deadline for submissions to our Terrain Park contest is October 1st (two weeks away!).  Check out last year's entries and three top winners on our website at http://www.saminfo.com/tpcontest

We invite you to share your latest and greatest inventions, or brilliant progression ideas, or awesome events with us. It can be your signature big air stuff or features that were so simple, yet, so brilliant.

Chosen entries will run in our upcoming November issue and SAM's website and the top three will receive a loot bag from our generous sponsors - Burton, Pistenbully, Prinoth, Zaugg, World Cup Supply and SAM Magazine.

Please send a high resolution photo (300 dpi jpeg or tif), plus a brief description, to Jenn Rowan at jenn@saminfo.com.

Or, mail images or drawings to:

SAM Magazine

ATTN: TP Contest

45 main Street N.  

Woodbury, CT 06798

Monday, September 14, 2009

Old Ski Resort Coming Back to Life

Sleeping Giant Ski Resort will be open for Thanksgiving Day. This resort, closed for the last five years, is located near the east entrance of Yellowstone National Parks in Shoshone National Forest.

The resort has undergone significant changes with skiable terrain expanding from 45 acres to 180 acres. New lifts and a terrain park will be added also.

For information about the resort opening see Another Ski Resort to Open in 2009!!!. For a history of the resort see Colorado Ski History.com and to follow the progress of the resort follow the resort's web page at http://www.yellowstonerec.com/

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Banff Sulphur Mountain Gondola turned 50

The Banff, Canada Sulphur Mountain Gondola turned 50 this past July. Over 18 million riders have taken the trip to the top of the mountain since it was first installed July 18, 1959.

The ride takes 8 minutes to the 7486 summit in fully enclosed four passenger cabins.

Happy 50th to the Banff Gondola

Monday, September 7, 2009

Ski Resort sold Online

Winterhorn Ski Area in Switzerland was sold in an online auction. The resort which was facing bankruptcy. The resort was for sale for $232,000. The resort is located in the village of Hospental in the Ursern Valley of central Switzerland and had two drag lifts and a double chair. The lifts serve 20 KM runs and over 1000 m of vertical.

Going once, twice, SOLD: Swiss ski resort auctioned online

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Number One Rule when Working at a Ski Resort: Keep Yourself Safe

Number Two Rule: Keep your fellow Worker's Safe

A $250,000 fine was levied against a Canadian Ski Resort for the death of a ski area worker. Karl Stunt was 25 years old when he was hit by a metal bar while working on a chairlift at Sunshine Village in Banff National Park. Mr. Stunt spent several days in a coma before dying.

The fine was levied under the Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Act against the resort for failing to ensure the health and safety of its workers. The fine will go towards an endowment at the Selkirk College in British Columbia which has a ski resort operations and management program.

The judge who found the resort liable stated the death occurred due to a "momentary inattention or carelessness of three employees of Sunshine Village at the same time."

For more information see Banff ski hill fined $250,000 for death of worker and Sunshine Village Corp. has been ordered to pay more than $250,000 in fines and penalties in connection to the 2004 death of a ski hill worker.