Podsam

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 Mix podcast guy. Support the conversation by subscribing to SAM at www.saminfo.com/subscribe.  

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 at saminfo.com.

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 Aspenware. 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.

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

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’re diving into what worked and what didn’t, lessons learned, what they will carry forward as permanent changes, and thoughts on the future.  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.

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 is by Breakmaster Cylinder, the PodSAM advisor is Alex Kaufman, the Wintry Mix podcast guy. 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.

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

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, and propose solutions to help you and your team prepare your property and processes for this season.   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.

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 Adventures chief client advocate Paul Cummings, we discuss where we go from here and some of the decisions operators might consider in the coming months to ensure a resilient business in the future. 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.

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 to challenges. From managing the online user experience and on-site product redemption to minimizing pinch points and touchpoints, this Huddle will provide actionable takeaways for ski areas of all sizes. 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.

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 the ones determining how we operate in the new normal. Follow along with our special six-episode run here on PodSAM and in the pages of SAM Magazine. This episode is supported by MountainGuard. The PodSAM theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. 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.

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 learn from summer operations that have recently kicked off. 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.

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 Ventures Annika Truebenbach, Park Manager fo the Adventure Park at Storrs, CT, an Outdoor Ventures Park Phil Huston, Owner of North Shore Adventure Park in Minnesota Brian Johnson, Director of Operations and Jesse Griffin, Guide, both of Navitat Canopy Tour in North Carolina 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.

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 Zealand, which are scheduled to open this month; Arapahoe Basin, Colo., COO Alan Henceroth, Timberline, OR., CMO John Burton and Crystal Mountain, Wash., COO Frank DeBerry, whose resorts have all recently reopened for skiing and snowboarding; and Jimmy Ackerson, who operates Corralco Resort de Montaña in Chile, which is set to open for winter in the coming weeks. Ackerson is also president of the Chilean Ski Areas Association. Their experiences will help inform how North American ski areas should approach planning for winter 2020-21.  Support this podcast by subscribing to SAM Magazine at www.saminfo.com/subscribe

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, to share what is going on in their home countries and how it might differ from how operations are approaching reopening in North America. 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.

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 sense. 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.

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 Albrecht and Chad Krolouski of Be A Better Guide and Paul Thallner of High Peaks Group. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. The PodSAM advisor is Alex Kaufman, the Wintry Mix podcast guy. 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.

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 touch points, most of which pose a challenge to social distancing and/or disinfecting. Most coronavirus mitigations threaten to reduce capacity—and that's a major problem. Want to join in future Huddles? Email huddle@saminfo.com. We will be hosting these conversations for as long as they make sense. 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.