PodSAM

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 actions should operators take to successfully navigate this season and prepare for a healthy rebound next year? On this Huddle, co-hosted by Strategic Adventure...

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 resorts that are exploring these improvements and experts from resort technology and operations companies will help identify solutions...

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 down. As staff return for the upcoming season, it will be more important than ever that industry leaders work to rebuild and relaunch effective teams, as these groups will be t...

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 from around the U.S. and Australia to gauge their thinking on the upcoming season and talk through topics such as capacity, group lessons, protocols, staff training, and what we can...

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 operations look like and what are they learning as they navigate the new normal? Our panelists are: Candie Fisher, VP of Marketing and Sales for Outdoor...

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 world who have recently reopened, or will soon open, for skiing and snowboarding. Our panelists include: Paul Anderson, CEO of The Remarkables – Coronet Peak – Mt. Hutt in New Z...

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 ready to reopen their aerial adventure operations and leisure attractions. We welcomed representatives from the European Ropes Course Association, ERCA,...

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 join in future Huddles? Email  huddle@saminfo.com.  We will be hosting these conversations for as long as they make sens...

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 help get staff up to speed. The question is, with those highly physical front line roles, where do you even start? Thank you to our guests Ingo Albrec...

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 discuss a major pinch point in resort operations, the rental shop. The ski and snowboard rental department has a number of customer touc...

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 social distancing. What changes will become permanent, and where are the growth areas of the future? The impact on operations is still unknown, b...

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 held this conversation in November of 2019, we had no idea how much the industry, and the world, would change come spring, and how strongly the insigh...

On this episode we’re bringing you a Huddle from our sister publication, Adventure Park Insider . For many in the aerial adventure industry, the pandemic forced closures just as the season was about to begin. Now that social distancing guidelines are starting to lessen in many states, how do operators look at their marketing and sales? How do we communicate with guests and what messages should be...

The concept of the SAM Huddle has been to invite mountain resort operators to gather virtually and share the challenges and solutions in front of us due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this episode of our special Huddle mini-series we take a broader view and gather insights from other industries facing similar challenges and looking for ways to be more resilient. On Monday, May 4, we welcomed a panel...

On this episode we partnered with Tom Foley of Inntopia and Destimetrics to speak with folks from the industry about their season pass strategies. As of the date of this conversation, April 27, many resorts have reported being significantly off the pace of their season pass sales as compared to this same time last year. As resorts begin to put some effort behind season pass sales we talk about how...

On this episode, we bring you a Huddle from our sister publication Adventure Park Insider. As stay-at-home requirements begin to ease up, some adventure parks may be able to reopen. It will look different, though, and your customers will be nervous, cautious, concerned. What will this mean for your operations – your recreational offerings, the supporting guest services, and your brand? On this epi...

On this episode we’re taking a break from the immediate–and important–crisis management to ponder what’s next. The sun will come out tomorrow and mountain resort operations need to be ready. Eventually, today’s social distancing requirements will begin to relax. We don’t know when, but it may allow for some summer operations. We don’t know specifics, since each state will have its own rules, And a...

On this episode we’re bringing you a Huddle from our sister publication, Adventure Park Insider. Like all of us, the aerial adventure industry has been greatly impacted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and operators are uncertain what adaptations will need to be made in order to reopen in the new normal that is fast approaching all of us. On this Huddle, we lead a question-storming session to...

On this episode we brought together industry leaders to discuss the most important part of the business, the people. Our complex resort operations can only happen when we have healthy, skilled, and engaged people working with us. People are also one of our biggest expenses and therefore one of our most important assets. We’ll talk about some people and staffing issues resorts are facing today and...

On this episode we’re bringing you a Huddle from our sister publication, Adventure Park Insider. The aerial adventure park industry has been hit with an equal amount of uncertainty in the current pandemic crisis and in an effort to share challenges, ideas, and resources about how and when we can open up our summer adventure parks, we gathered industry leaders to huddle, virtually, and discuss the...

Let's talk finance. Congress rolled out the small business bail out package, specifically the Paycheck Protection Program, on April 3rd and things got off to a rocky start. We discuss what went wrong and get some advice on next steps for operators.  We also discuss other loan options and get some insight on how operators should prioritize spending during this crisis and look ahead to challenges do...

It’s a tough time for the mountain resort industry as the global pandemic continues to spread. Resort marketing teams are scrambling to figure out next best steps. Appropriate communication and timing is a moving target at the moment. What do you do with your summer business, season pass sales, cancellations? With the help of a team of marketing experts, we gathered more than 100 operators to dive...

These are challenging times. We are all dealing with a tremendous amount that is unknown and changing daily. To aid our industry’s response, we have set up a regular virtual forum to share insights and resources. We are calling it The Huddle. For this first huddle leaders addressed how they are managing three topics: staff, community, and operations. Want to join in the next one or have any questi...

We're continuing year three of the Summit Series with a discussion on management skills with mentors Beth Howard, COO of Vail Mountain, Colo., Greg Goddard, former General Manager of Gunstock Mountain Resort, N.H., and Brian Heon, General Manager of Wildcat Mountain, N.H. Follow along with our special six-episode run here on PodSAM and in the pages of SAM Magazine .  This episode is supported by M...

We're kicking off year three of the Summit Series with a discussion on the guest experience with mentors Brad Wilson, general manager of Bogus Basin, Id., Carolyn Crowley Stimpson, COO of Wachusett Mountain Resort, Mass., and David Perry, executive vice president of Alterra Mountain Company. Follow along with our special six-episode run here on PodSAM and in the pages of SAM Magazine .  This episo...