Podsam

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.  

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.    

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 time to focus on systemic climate action. With a focus on the power of climate advocacy, Kawahata talks about ways to frame climate change when speaking to the public and why we shouldn’t lose hope.

We gathered 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 important nuggets of information that will help four season business thrive. This pod is supported by The Trekking Group. thetrekkinggroup.com Support SAM Magazine content with a subscription to SAM Magazine.

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 past year and share projections for the next one. Was the success of this past season a fluke facilitated by pent up revenge travel demand and can the industry sustain this model? We’ll discuss these questions and more. Support this podcast by subscribing to SAM Magazine.

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 talk about the upcoming season. This conversation is supported by Doppelmayr.

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 Magazine.

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 Huddle conversation was supported by Doppelmayr The podcast is supported by Doppelmayr and accesso.

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 Mix podcast guy.  

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 Mix podcast guy.

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.  This podcast is supported by Doppelmayr Garaventa Group.

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, Occupation Wild Rachel Maestri-Hailey, Rachel Hailey & Associates Consulting Lori Pingle, ZipZone Reece Phillips, Sonoma Canopy Tours Support these conversations by subscribing at www.saminfo.com/subscribe and www.adventureparkinsider.com/subscribe

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 trends that are influencing conversations about the future including consumer changes and outdoor participation trends. This conversation was supported by Doppelmayr. 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 at saminfo.com.

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 or elsewhere and stay up to date on industry happenings at saminfo.com.

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 where operators can share ideas, challenges, and solutions. Join the conversation at www.saminfo.com/huddle The PodSAM advisor is Alex Kaufman, the Wintry Mix podcast guy, and theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.