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 across North America define what success looks like. This podcast is from a session presented at SAM's Summer Ops Camp, September 11, 2023 ..read more

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 with Liquid Death, they've taken water to a whole new level with a somewhat polarizing, yet insanely creative approach to their brand. In May of 2023, Stix joined the SAM team at Timberline, Mt. Hood, Ore., at Cutter's Camp, to share his insight into building powerful brand culture in the park and on the mountain.  ..read more

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 serious challenges, both professionally and personally.  Part 2: Finding courage, confidence, and scaling resilience to be sustainable for individuals, teams, and organizations ..read more

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   ..read more

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 hear about how they approach sustainability, the results of their current efforts, and future plans. Join us as we share stories and actionable takeaways for resorts big and small. Mike Nathan, Sustainability Manager, Arapahoe Basin, Colo. Amy Fonte, Sustainability Specialist, Big Sky, Mont., and Mari Kissinger, Director of Ski ..read more

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 "Values-Driven Leadership." "We can't operate without the team. We can't accomplish any of our business goals or initiatives without the team in place to do it. And so, in a values-driven organization, I've also found that you have to accept the values of others, right? And it creates a really dynamic conversation. And that's the way you get people on board, is r ..read more

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 resilience ..read more

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 to "Community Relations and Key Stakeholder Engagement." "It's now the highest priority of our organization" -David Norden, CEO Taos Ski Valley, NM "I don't think you can be anymore focused on community relationships, it's the #1 priority for us."  -Tim Foster, Chief of Mountain Operations, Sun Peaks, B.C.   The mentors on this episode are: David Norden, CEO o ..read more

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 group eager to carve out its own niche in the Epic and Ikon dominated California market. Listen up to hear what they have planned.   ..read more

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 Pack, Cody Howe, Hannah Besso, and Megan Keating, who talk about their career paths in the U.S. ski industry. Enjoy this collaboration episode with the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Associations's podcast, Mountain Works.     ..read more