PodSAM

What Defines Summer Success?

Just as the menu of summer activities, programs and events varies between operations, so do the goals and metrics that measure success. Being profitable is an important metric but it creates complexities. Listen on as we learn how 10 resorts...

Interview with Stix from Liquid Death

Steve Nilsen, more commonly known as Stix, is a legendary brand marketer, having worked with brands such as PBR, Red Bull, and now he serves as the VP of Cult Indoctrination at Liquid Death Mountain Water. If you're not familiar...

Summit Series: Reinventing Resilience, Part 2

This two-part discussion will cover how organizations move beyond setbacks to grow through challenges and how to be a place where people thrive. Let's face it, we are all a bit stressed and burnt out after a couple of years of facing...

Summit Series: Reinventing Resilience, Part 1

This two-part discussion covers how organizations move beyond setbacks to grow through challenges and how to be a place where people thrive. Part one defines resilience, what we're doing wrong, and stress triggers.   Learn more about SAM's Summit Series at www.saminfo.com/the-summit-series

Where Are We With “Sustainability?”

Sustainability encompasses so much more than going “green.” The growth of sustainability specialist positions at mountain resorts and beyond has us asking, “What does it really mean to be a sustainable business?” We’ve gathered a group of sustainability leaders to...

Summit Series: Values Driven Leadership

This PodSAM is a must-listen for any leader or future leader in the industry. Tune in to the second topic in our Summit Series Leadership forum where we gather top industry leaders and 10 emerging leaders to discuss approaches to...

Fire on the Mountain Part 3: A Learning Season

SAM sat down with Sierra-at-Tahoe GM John Rice to reflect on the remediation and reopening process after the Caldor Fire blazed through 16 months ago. While the work is far from done, Sierra-at-Tahoe’s recovery efforts offer valuable lessons in environmental and social...

Summit Series: Community Relations

This PodSAM is a must listen for any leader or future leader in the industry. Tune in to the first topic in our Summit Series Leadership forum where we gather top industry leaders and 10 emerging leaders to discuss approaches...

New Small-Scale Resort Group Carves Out Own Niche

When Mountain High and Dodge Ridge owner, Karl Kapuscinski purchased China Peak Mountain Resort from owner Tim Cohee on Dec. 8, 2022, it brought together two industry innovators, each with 40 years of experience, and the promise of a new small-scale resort...

Career Choices, Choices, Choices

A ski area general manager, a mid-level manager, a ski patroller, and an industry newcomer walk into...a room full of 450 people. Origin stories unfold. SAM editor Dave Meeker leads this panel discussion at the 2022 PNSAA Mountain Works Conference with Greg...

Solving the Climate Crisis

Molly Kawahata, a former advisor for energy and climate change at the Obama White House, chats with SAM associate editor Sarah Wojcik about the fossil fuel funded myth of the personal “carbon footprint,” the problem with climate shaming, and why it’s...

Selling Summer from SAM’s Summer Ops Camp

We gathered a panel of experts at our 2022 Summer Ops Camp in Tremblant to discuss best practices for attracting customers to resort summer activities. From the best mix of attractions to the right narrative, this discussion is full of...

The SAM Huddle: Reflections and Projections

Spring is fast approaching in many parts of the country, but before we put this winter to bed, let’s unpack this season and look ahead to the next one.  On this episode we brought together industry leaders to reflect on the...

The SAM Huddle: Gut Check

Last winter, unified messaging and clear Covid protocols resulted in a successful season. This winter has already been a bit different. On this episode of PodSAM, we do a gut check on what we, as an industry, can do to...

Fire on the Mountain Part 2

On the night of August 29, 2021, the Caldor wildfire blazed into Sierra-at-Tahoe’s West Bowl. Listen to this two-part special as we talk with Sierra’s general manager, John Rice, about what it was like to be the boots on the...

Fire on the Mountain Part 1

On the night of August 29, 2021, the Caldor wildfire blazed into Sierra-at-Tahoe’s West Bowl. Listen to this two-part special as we talk with Sierra’s general manager, John Rice, about what it was like to be the boots on the...

The SAM Huddle: Small is the New Big

Small ski areas thrived last season as people stayed closer to home and new skiers and riders came out in droves. How will these areas fare this winter as Covid continues to impact travel and recreation, and more locals now...

The SAM Huddle: Marketing in Unfamiliar Terrain

Going into the 2021-22 season, we're seeing dramatic changes in how guests interact with mountain resorts, what guests need and want from resorts, and even how guests see resorts fitting into their lives.  On this episode we discuss how communication plans...

The SAM Huddle: Dust Off the Covid Playbook

The industry breathed a sigh of relief when last winter was in the rearview mirror. That sense of relief was all too short lived, though. While this winter won’t be the same as last, it appears that Covid will still be...

SAM's 11 Under 30: West

Meet the next generation of snowsports leaders. In this episode we highlight SAM Magazine's annual 10 Under 30. This year's group of 20-somethings has already left their mark and they have ideas about where snowsports should head next. Wait, I...

SAM's 11 Under 30: East

Meet the next generation of snowsports leaders. In this episode we highlight SAM Magazine's annual 10 Under 30. This year's group of 20-somethings has already left their mark and they have ideas about where snowsports should head next. Wait, I...

The SAM Huddle: The Staffing and Affordable Housing Crisis

Labor shortages and affordable housing problems are historically cyclical and local, but this time around seems different.  This episode is supported by Doppelmayr.

The SAM Huddle: Moving Mountain Operations Forward

Listen in as mountain operations leaders share how they, and their teams, are doing. Paul Thallner of High Peaks Group shares insights into how to keep your team moving forward.

The API Huddle: Hiring & Staffing

On this episode we discuss trends in hiring, how to draw a strong applicant pool with your job description, cultivating a strong company culture, and hiring for diversity. Staffing is often one of the biggest hurdles operators face, and our...

The SAM Huddle: Post-Pandemic Planning

A year has passed since the world shut down, and we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. What lies ahead? The pandemic forced an altered perspective on how we live, work, and play. How much of this...

The SAM Huddle: The Tech Transition

Covid accelerated the adoption of new technologies. On this episode, operators discuss how it impacted operations, staffing, guest behavior, and guest expectations, and what the means for the future. This episode is supported by Aspenware, Axess, and Flaik. Support this podcast by...

The SAM Huddle: Selling Season

Season passes are an important element of mountain resorts' business. For a second spring in a row, we are faced with figuring out how the pandemic will impact this revenue stream. On this episode, we talk with report operators about how...

New Year, New Huddle

Welcome to 2021! It’s a new year and it’s time to ask about the state of business at this stage of the pandemic. How did COVID mitigation plans work out over the holiday week? We also welcome New Jersey Representative...

The SAM Huddle: Reality Check Pt. 2

Special Episode: The State of Marketing

This special episode comes from Christian Knapp, former CMO of Aspen Snowmass, as he shares the State of Marketing During the Pandemic from the November issue of SAM Magazine. We're testing these audio articles out, let us know what you think...

The SAM Huddle: Reality Check Pt. 1

We've spent 8 months thinking, talking, and planning. Now it's November and we're putting those plans into action. It's time for a reality check.  The SAM Magazine Huddles are virtual conversations where operators can share ideas, challenges, and solutions. Join the...

The SAM Huddle: Small Areas

Smaller, local ski areas are vital to our industry. They also might be the most vulnerable this winter, with limited facilities and resources with which to address the challenges this winter will present. Support this podcast by subscribing to SAM Magazine...

The SAM Huddle: Snowsports School & Rentals

It has never been more important for close coordination between the rental department and snowsports school. Both face issues of social distancing and face covering while performing personal services, sometimes in very close proximity to guests. Nick Herrin, CEO of...

Summit Series: Industry Sustainability

On this episode, we talk about Industry Sustainability with mentors Amy Ohran, president and general manager, Boreal and Soda Springs, Calif.; Jeff Boliba, vice president of global resorts, Burton; and Brad Wilson, general manager, Bogus Basin, Idaho. The Summit Series is...

The API Huddle: The Good, The Bad, and What We've Learned

This year we were challenged like never before personally and professionally. We learned a lot about what we are capable of and how resilient our businesses could be. But it was hard fought. Despite the many challenges of operating during...

The SAM Huddle: Lessons from Down Under

On this episode, we welcomed a panel of operators from Australia and New Zealand to talk about everything operations from staffing, to rental, to ski school, and capacity issues. Many of these resorts have had to pivot mid-season due to...

The SAM Huddle: Buckle Up Pt. 2

On this episode, we talk with the Insights Collective, a volunteer group of destination travel research specialists, about travel and consumer behavior in the time of COVID-19 and how the latest trends may translate this winter season. We discuss where...

The SAM Huddle: Buckle Up Part 1

How will winter operations change between now and when the snow flies? While much is still unknown, the picture is clear enough to begin formulating operational plans. This Huddle, led by experts from SE Group and Bull Stockwell Allen, will...

The API Huddle: Business Resilience

Operating during a pandemic is no mean feat, and the financials of doing so are no exception. How do we ensure that operations remain financially resilient while adhering to limitations meant to stem the spread of the new coronavirus? What...

The SAM Huddle: Can't Touch This

The pandemic can be the catalyst for resorts to reevaluate their processes and leverage available technology to offer a friction-free guest experience—not only for the strange winter ahead, but for every winter after it. On this Huddle, representatives from several...

Summit Series: Effective Teams

The mountain resort industry is in a moment of upheaval as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Resorts had to end their winter seasons early and many, if not all, furloughed or laid off staff while the world temporarily shut...

Ep. 40: The SAM Huddle: What Do We Do About Ski & Ride School?

On this episode we partnered with Nick Herrin, CEO of PSIA and AASI  to explore what ski & ride school might look like under the various COVID-19 restrictions. On June 22nd we talked with leaders of ski & ride schools...

Ep. 39: The API Huddle: We Are Open

On this episode we’re bringing you a Huddle from our sister publication Adventure Park Insider. Summer is here and many aerial adventure operations are reopening as restrictions ease. One thing is certain: it’s not business as usual. What do open...

Ep. 38: The SAM Huddle: We Are Open

It's time to start planning for next winter, because there’s a lot to plan for. One thing is certain: It won't be business as usual. What might winter operations look like? On this episode we hear from operators around the...

Ep. 37: The API Huddle: What Can We Learn from Europe?

On this episode we’re bringing you a Huddle from our sister publication, Adventure Park Insider. Europe has been several weeks ahead of North America in the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as in the states, European countries are getting...

Ep. 36: The SAM Huddle: Bike Park Roundtable

As states reduce social distancing guidelines, mountain bike operations are opening around the country. On this episode, we chat with operators to compare protocols regarding things such as capacity, staff safety, check-in, ticketing, rental, retail, lessons, and events. Want to...

Ep. 35: The API Huddle: Getting Started with Digital Training

On this episode we’re bringing you a Huddle from our sister publication, Adventure Park Insider. As states begin to reopen, many aerial adventure operations are scrambling to get staff ready for the upcoming season and looking to digital training to...

Ep. 34: The SAM Huddle: What To Do About Rentals

Over the past several months, we’ve gathered members of mountain resort industry for weekly virtual Huddles to discuss the current pandemic situation and discuss challenges and potential solutions. On this episode, we gathered operators and suppliers on May 18 to...

Ep. 33: The SAM Huddle: Imagining a New Future

The coronavirus is changing life for many, creating new challenges for operators but also some possible new opportunities for resorts. Millions of Americans are discovering (or rediscovering) a love of the outdoors, even as they stay at home and practice...

Summit Series Ep. 32: Problem Solving and Strategic Thinking

We're continuing year three of the Summit Series with a discussion on problem solving and strategic thinking with mentors David Perry, Alterra Mountain Co.; Amy Ohran, Boreal and Soda Springs, Calif.; and Hiram Towle, Mt. Ashland, Ore. When we first...