Podsam

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, but operators willing to look beyond the uncertainty to imagine what the future might look like may find more resilience in the long run. On this episode panelists look into the crystal ball and search out new customer habits, consider impacts on staff, and seek out opportunities. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. The PodSAM adviser 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.

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 insights shared by the three mentors would resonate amid the COVID-19 crisis. 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’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 out in the marketplace? Join us as we look forward to how we encourage guests to come back and recreate with us. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. The PodSAM adviser 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.  

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 of business leaders from the pro sports, airline, restaurant, construction, hotel, and entertainment industries, all of which face many of the same challenges as mountain resorts. 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 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 the products and messaging are evolving. 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 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 episode, we look at several scenarios operators may face over the next several months. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. The PodSAM adviser 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’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 although none of us want to consider it possible, a future resurgence of this virus, or the arrival of another, remains a new reality. Will we need to implement short-term fixes or longer term pivots? This is new territory that requires new thinking. 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’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 frame the challenge ahead of us in terms of reopening operations and it is a challenge, but one that we can certainly overcome. 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 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 the solutions they’re coming up with. Want to join in the next one or have any questions or comments? Email huddle@saminfo.com. We will be doing these weekly for as long as they make sense. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. The PodSAM Adviser 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’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 current situation and what we’re learning. Want to join in the next one or have any questions or comments? Email huddle@saminfo.com or huddle@adventureparkinsider.com. We will be doing these weekly for both publications for as long as they make sense. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. The PodSAM adviser 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.

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 down the road. Finally, we check in with the optimism factor and do a poll of our audience about summer operations. Want to join in the next one or have any questions or comments? Email huddle@saminfo.com. We will be doing these weekly for as long as they make sense. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. The PodSAM adviser 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.

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 into many of these challenges on this week’s marketing and communications Huddle. Want to join in the next one or have any questions or comments? Email huddle@saminfo.com. We will be doing these weekly for as long as they make sense. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. The PodSAM adviser 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.

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 questions or comments? Email huddle@saminfo.com. We will be doing these weekly for as long as they make sense. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. The PodSAM adviser 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.  

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 MountainGuard and Mountain Travel Symposium.  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.

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 episode is supported by MountainGuard and Mountain Travel Symposium.  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.

Associate Editor Sarah Wojcik sits down with the CEO of the Share Winter Foundation, Constance Beverley. We all know growing the sport should be one of the core initiatives of our industry, so why isn't the needle moving? Hear from someone who's foundation's soul mission is to get a diverse group of new kids skiing and riding, and is succeeding. Trust us - she has the data to prove it.  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.

We're talking about the future of the industry with Summit Series mentors Kim Mayhew, president and COO of Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah; Jay Scambio, president and general manager of Loon Mountain, N.H.; Nadia Guerriero, then general manager of Northstar California, Calif., now vice president and chief operating officer of Beaver Creek Resort, Colo., and Steve Wright, president and general manager of Jay Peak Resort, Vt. This six episode run of the Summit Series is supported by MountainGuard and Leitner-Poma. 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.

"One thing I will say about risk management is that it applies to every department, whether it's marketing, whether it's F&B or mountain ops. You can find risk management in every aspect of operations at a ski area."  We're talking about risk management with Summit Series mentors Kim Locke, vice president of Lake Louise, Alberta; Rich Burkley, senior vice president of Aspen Skiing Co.; and Nadia Guerriero, then general manager of Northstar California, Calif., now vice president and chief operating officer of Beaver Creek Resort, Colo. This six episode run of the Summit Series is supported by MountainGuard and Leitner-Poma. 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.

What do business suits, nordic skiing, and small resorts have in common? Listen and find out as resort industry leaders share their stories of where they first learned to ski or ride.  The PodSAM theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Our podcast advisor is Alex Kaufman, the Wintry Mix podcast guy. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Play or elsewhere and stay up to date on industry happenings at saminfo.com.

On this episode of PodSAM we're going green and talking sustainability with Summit Series mentors Rich Burkley, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Aspen Skiing Co., Kim Locke, Vice President, Lake Louise, Alberta, and Peggy Hiller, Vice President of Operations, Arapahoe Basin, Colo. This six episode run of Summit Series podcasts are supported by MountainGuard and Leitner Poma. Catch up by listening to episode 10 and check out year one of the Summit Series in episodes 1-6. The PodSAM theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Our podcast 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.