PodSAM

Last winter, unified messaging and clear Covid protocols resulted in a successful season. The 2021-2022 winter season 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 try and get ahead of the chaos.  This episode is supported by Doppelmayr . Support this podcast by subscribing to SAM Magazine at www.saminfo.com/subscribe .

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 ground as the fire approached and how he's dealing with the aftermath.

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 ground as the fire approached and how he's dealing with the aftermath.  

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 have a connection to their local hill? On this episode, we huddled live and in person at the Ski Areas of New York and Pennsylvania Expo at Holiday Valley Resort in New York to...

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 may need to change as a result of this shift. This Huddle is supported by Doppelmayr . Support these conversations by subscribing to SAM Magazi...

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 very much a part of it. On this episode, we will look ahead to the upcoming season and learn what mountain resort operators from across North America are planning as of now. This Hu...

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 thought you said 11? Yep, this year we're turning it up a notch. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. The PodSAM advisor is Alex Kaufman, the Wintry...

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 thought you said 11? Yep, this year we're turning it up a notch. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. The PodSAM advisor is Alex Kaufman, the Wintry...

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

End-of-season burnout has been more severe this spring than usual—so how do we move our teams forward into summer ops and beyond? It will take more than a vaccine to recover from the non-stop stress of this Covid year. 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.  Th...

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 panel of experts will share insight on how to turn that challenge into an opportunity. The Roundtable Paul Thallner, High Peaks Group Courtney Condy, Occupatio...

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 will remain once the world opens up again? And how can this inform your decision making as you consider near- and long-term plans for your operations? On this episode, we explore the predominant t...

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 subscribing to SAM Magazine at www.saminfo.com/subscribe Subscribe on  Apple Podcasts , Spotify, and  Google Play  ...

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 they’re approaching their 2021-22 season pass sales, and how this season is informing their approach.

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 Josh Gottheimer to break down the latest COVID relief bill passed by Congress and how it will impact mountain resort operators. The SAM Magazine Huddles are virtual conversations whe...

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 by emailing sarah@saminfo.com. This article, and more, are available when you subscribe to SAM at www.saminfo.com/subscribe .    

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 conversation at www.saminfo.com/huddle . Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder, the PodSAM advisor is Alex Kaufman, the Wintry M...

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 at www.saminfo.com/subscribe Subscribe on  Apple Podcasts , Spotify, and  Google Play  or elsewhere and stay up to date on industry happenings...

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 PSIA-AASI, co-hosts this panel discussion talking through creative solutions to the season ahead. This episode is supported by Aspenwa...

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 supported by MountainGuard . Support this podcast by subscribing to SAM Magazine at www.saminfo.com/subscribe Subscribe on  App...

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 a pandemic, there have been several bright spots—operational wins, and even some banner weeks of business in July for some of our panelists. On this episode we’r...

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 changing mandatory restrictions in response to COVID-19, but many are also experiencing operational wins. This episode is supported by Aspenware . Our theme music...

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 consumer stands and how attitudes and preferences may evolve. Support this podcast by subscribing to SAM Magazine at www.saminfo.com/subscribe...

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 provide actionable ideas and help operating teams find solutions that work. This conversation examines the pinch points in F&B, rental, and other indoor spaces...