Who is the Future of Skiers and Riders.......

SAM - “We must consider population dynamics in the queries we are making about the future.”

There have been many ongoing discussions about the lingering effects of the Boomer’s exit from the marketplace and the winter resort industry, and for good reason. Their presence has dominated the marketplace for the past 20 years, and their absence will be felt. As noted in the 2011/12 NSAA National Demographic Study, “the boomers will increasingly need to be replaced with new participants to ensure the long-term health and future growth of the ski industry.”

The winter resort industry will also continue to be challenged by the national geographic shift in the population base to the south and the west, resulting in the resorts of the northeast and Midwest having to draw visitors from farther away.

Where will the snowsports enthusiasts of tomorrow come from?

OPPORTUNITY: DIVERSIFICATION OF THE SKIER DEMOGRAPHIC
The next generation. Understanding Gen X’s and the Millennials’ product demands remains critical. Their differing perceptions of loyalty and brand commitment pose a challenge for resorts. On the other hand, continuing to promote the family experience may be a way to gain traction with this group: “Gen X and Millennials are pushing back marriage and parenthood to their mid to late 30s, resulting in more affluent parents of young children. This is exciting from a resort development standpoint, because developers can now focus on higher-end, creative children’s programming and facilities,” says one industry insider.

Ethnic diversification. “The ski business has failed to recognize the changing ethnic make-up of our country,” claimed another survey participant. The need to penetrate ethnic segments that have lower incidents of snow/ski participation has been a topic of conversation within the industry for several years. How can you make it easier for minorities to visit your resort? Strategies should include education, community outreach, as well as modification of hiring practices.

International visitation. “The interest in and opportunities for our customers to go abroad and foreign nationals to come here to participate in winter recreation constitute both threat and opportunity.” While the ease of international travel threatens to dilute our sliding population as North American skiers head overseas, the world of internet marketing allows for North American resorts to attract international guests to come and play in our mountains. Can U.S. resorts compete and attract the discerning European skier? To do so will require complete and sophisticated offerings in terms of shopping, culture, dining, etc., to create a cultural and recreational vacation.

Families. From a recreation/leisure standpoint the family unit is stronger than it ever has been: the family is playing together, and there is no activity better than skiing or snowboarding to foster family interaction. This is a positive trend for the industry, especially as facilities offer more year-round activities for the family to engage in. At a recent session at IAAPA (the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions), panelists were noting the similarities between the ski industry and the waterpark industry. Both appeal to the multi-generational complexities of the family, and both continue to attract and maintain visitation in times of recession. Perhaps we can learn a thing or two from our waterpark friends?

Women. A volume of marketing research has identified the key role that women play as family decision-makers. While moms are not making all the decisions, more often than not they are doing the research and presenting the “finalists” for evaluation. Think about this as you craft your marketing messages!

As the snow starts to fly, what are you doing to attract the snowsports enthusiasts of tomorrow?

Let's get this Party Started!

The snow guns at Vail Mountain's Golden Peak fired up Saturday morning for the first time this season, creating excitement on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter over the upcoming winter season. Vail Mountain Chief Operating Officer Chris Jarnot posted this Twitter message, along with a photo of Golden Peak, around 10 a.m.: “Little snowmaking going on this morning at Golden Peak. As Mr. Fillion says, ‘Let the games begin!'” The Golden Peak snowmaking fires up ahead of the rest of Vail's snowmaking because Golden Peak is training ground for the U.S. Ski Team, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, as well as ski teams and clubs from around the world. Depending on when the Golden Peak slopes are ready, that's when the teams start training. It typically happens around the last week of October or first week of November. Jarnot said the snowmaking crew had the automated Golden Peak snowmaking system “prepped and ready to go, just waiting for the right temperatures to turn it on,” in an email to the Vail Daily Saturday. In the meantime, the snowmaking at Golden Peak will have to be enough of a teaser for winter for local snow sports enthusiasts. Even the sight of the snow guns blasting seemed to be enough to prove winter is near.

Vonn 1st American to win 4 overall World Cup titles

Lindsey Vonn became the first American to clinch four overall World Cup titles Friday by winning a giant slalom race, moving into second on the all-time list behind Austrian great Annemarie Moser-Proell.

Vonn took the lead after the first run and finished in 2 minutes, 28.0 seconds. Federica Brignone of Italy was second, 0.48 behind, followed by Olympic champion Viktora Rebensburg of Germany.

Vonn was tied with Phil Mahre of the United States with three overall World Cup titles. Moser-Proell won six overall titles in the 1970s, and Luxemburg's Marc Girardelli has five.

"I don't know what to say," an emotional Vonn said. "I just wanted to have two aggressive runs today. I felt like I had nothing to lose and I was having fun. I'm just really excited, I'm thrilled. It's crazy."

Vonn won the overall title from 2008-2010. Last season Vonn just missed out on another, finishing three points behind Maria Hoefl-Riesch. The German won the overall title after the giant slalom race at the Lenzerheide finals was canceled because of soft snow conditions.

"It's definitely a lot less stressful to clinch the overall title before the finals. Last year at the (Lenzerheide) finals, I might have lost a few years of my life," Vonn said with a smile.

With this overall title, Vonn surpasses Croatian Janica Kostelic, Swiss Vreni Schneider and Austrian Petra Kronberger, who all won three overall cups during their careers.

Vonn has 1,808 points for the season and, with five World Cup races remaining, looks set to achieve her goal of become the first woman to surpass 2,000 points. In 2006, Kostelic set the overall points record for women, amassing 1,970 points to claim the crystal globe.

"Anything is possible, but it's going to be really difficult," Vonn said. "I'm going to have to execute in every race and seize the opportunity like I did today.

"I've got three big chances to make the top three in the downhill, super-G and the GS (in Schladming). But I'm going to have to execute and make no mistakes."

Julia Mancuso of the United States finished eighth in the giant slalom on Friday, and teammate Resi Stiegler was 13th.

Vonn won her 52nd World Cup race with only her second victory in giant slalom. She won the season's opening giant slalom in Soelden in October to become the fifth woman to win a World Cup race in all five disciplines.

Vonn is third on the all-time list for World Cup wins behind Moser-Proell (62) and Schneider (55).

"This season, I've really found my rhythm in GS. It's been a great year," Vonn said.

The evolving snowboard by Lauren Moran

As snowboarding gained popularity and acceptance throughout the 1980s, construction and equipment 
features changed to accommodate and encourage potential snowboarders — and ski areas — to join the
sport's growing numbers.

The 1970s and '80s demonstrated a high level of creativity in snowboard construction and design. Winterstick's Roundtail and Swallowtail models were a major evolution as they had foot straps, leashes, sidecut and P-Tex (polyethylene) bases. Robert Weber's Incredible Flying Banana was high-density polyethylene with a skateboard deck attached. Skosh prototypes used hydraulically laminated Baltic birch plywood veneers from Russia with fiberglass in between layers for flexibility and durability.

Surf and skateboard theory played heavily in snowboard construction. Jake Burton experimented with surfboard-style construction in prototypes, using foam and fiberglass, rounded top rails, fins and various tails. Tom Sims used fiberglass, different bases (including a red polyester resin base), and his 1985 Terry Kidwell Roundtail Pro Model brought a distinctive skate-inspired style to snowboarding with a revolutionary kick tail design.

Snowboard construction took on a series of unique features, continuing to draw from other sports. Snowtech used golf spikes for traction and two rubber straps as a foot hold, and in 1979 incorporated camber, a slight kick-tail and “wings” inspired by a boat design. Their Omega model drew from the Olin Mark IV Competition ski, featuring a laminated wood deck and fiberglass “runner.”

Gnu kept their design emphasis on riding hard pack and carving turns on edge, using a channeled base, ski-inspired shape and several fins. Gnu's deep sidecut would later be adopted across the entire industry and gave them an incredible edge for resort riding. Burton's Powder Gun 1984 experimental series is the first Burton board to ever have metal edges, also important for hard pack performance.

Looking to build an “indestructible” snowboard, Mike Troppman and Butch Bendele built Ultimate Control Boards from a single sheet of Tivar 1000, pure ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Early 1980s Avalanche boards were made of mahogany door skin veneers with Formica tops and bases, and Myron Knapschafer created a nonstick surface, Hiper-Slick, for snowboard bases instead of P-Tex.

Bindings have evolved dramatically, with many early boards using creative solutions for foot retention; the Sims 150 Pro Model Skiboard in the late 1970s used a bungee cord strap. However, the 1980s ushered in an era of binding experimentation and improvement. Binding systems for use with hard shell boots were developed by Avalanche and Myron Knapschafer of Hiper Snowboards. Additionally, the Snowtech Quantum used an integrated track binding system inspired by windsurf-binding technology.

The mid-1980s proved to be a turning point for binding systems, as several different innovators developed highbacks. Louis Fornier experimented with integrated, fold-down highbacks in eastern Canada. Prop Highback Bindings, an early design, were created by Matt Donovan. Jeff Grell made 30 Hi-Baks, a device worn on the ankle over the boot, which inspired Sims to include integrated highbacks on his boards. Matt Nipper built a skiboard with one of the earliest examples of an integrated highback binding. Years later, Technine developed a binding meant to create a loose, skateboard-style ride, allowing the board to flex completely.

Many companies were widening boards, including the Burton Backhill, a 1983 Gnu 5-Fin prototype, and mid-1980s Swift snowboards, to allow for flotation in powder. By the 1990s, board length was increasing as well, seen in Quinn Sandvold and Perry Coleman's 1992 board, Nitro Diablo 186. Aggression's TR70 Tarquin Robbins Pro Model, following the longer length trend, helped launch the new school “skate style” movement with an asymmetrical design and deeper cut on the heel side than on the toe side.

More recently, Lib Tech (formed by Gnu's Mike Olson and Pete Saari) introduced a serrated edge concept in 1997 and received a patent for Banana Technology in 2005, their unique combo of rocker and camber.

With so much change in technology and equipment design, snowboarding evolved a great deal throughout the '80s and into the ‘90s, using experimentation, creativity and innovation.

Vail DOES have history

The Ute Indians first inhabited the Gore Creek Valley long before white settlers moved west.  The valley offered a cool summer retreat for Indians and during the harsh winters they moved to the arid lands of Western Colorado.  The Utes nicknamed the Gore Range “The Shining Mountains.”  By the mid 1800’s the first white settlers arrived in the Gore Valley, forcing the Indians to flee.  The area became home to ranchers with grazing stock.  

When World War II began, the United States Army created a training center south of the Gore Valley at Pando called Camp Hale.  The 10^th Mountain Division trained for alpine combat here.  The 10th Mountain troops fought in northern Italy and upon return, they became major players in the quickly growing ski industry.

A veteran of the 10th Mountain Division, Peter Seibert, returned to Colorado after the war with injuries.  Despite this, he was able to return to skiing and became a member of the Aspen Ski Patrol, Aspen Ski School and eventually the manager of Loveland Basin Ski Area by the late 1950’s.  While at Loveland, Pete and Earl Eaton began looking to develop another ski area in the Rocky Mountain region.  While looking for uranium, Earl discovered a possible area outside of Gore Valley.

Earl Eaton, a Colorado native, began skiing at a young age.  By 1940, Eaton was working for the Conservation Corps camp in Glenwood Springs and ski racing in Aspen.  In 1941, he headed to Leadville to work in the mines, which eventually led him to Camp Hale for construction.  His early jobs in the ski industry included Climax Ski Area and Cooper Hill.

Eaton eventually went back to Aspen where he worked four ten years building chairlifts, trails, and ski patrolling.  Seibert and Eaton first climbed Vail Mountain during the winter of 1957.  Both agreed that this would be the perfect ski area and Seibert began to look for potential investors.

Vail Mountain was property of The United States Forest Service (USFS)and local ranchers owned the surrounding valley.  To get the ski area rolling, Seibert and Eaton needed something that neither of them had, money.  Seibert called lawyers Bob Fowler and Jack Tweedy, appraiser John Conway, and oilman George Caulkins of Denver.  Fowler and Tweedy were able to create a corporation needed to get the ski area moving, while Conway was able to convince local ranchers to sell their property.  To obtain a permit from the USFS Vail needed to have one million dollars in the bank.  Caulkins was able to through investors raise the money with a little persuasion.  Investors into Caulkins deal paid 10,000 dollars for a condo unit and a lifetime season pass.

With the USFS granting their operating permit, Vail’s opening day was set for December 15, 1962.  During the summer of 1962, construction crews were busy erecting a Bell gondola from Vail Village to Mid Vail, two chairlifts, condos, and base facilities.  Luckily, that fall Colorado experienced a late winter, allowing for most structures to near completion. 

To the ski area’s disappointment, the warm winter continued into December producing marginal conditions for opening day.  The first year, ticket prices were set at five dollars.  The ski company consisted of one gondola, two chairs, eight ski instructors, and nine ski runs.  One of Vail’s biggest assets was it was only half the driving distance from Denver to Aspen.

U.S. Ski Team in Vail next week!....snow too?!

U.S. Ski Team heads home to train at Vail.

Vail and Beaver Creek will get a serious natural boost this week. It also seems that the temperatures will remain cold to keep everything Mother nature and the guns throw down

Next week, Vail’s Lindsey Vonn and Ted Ligety, who also won races in Soelden, Austria last week will likely be training at Vail’s Golden Peak Fall Training Arena. World Cup racers will train slalom and giant slalom there at least until the next World Cup races.

“They're all flying home now and will be on snow as early as possible in Colorado,” U.S. Ski Team chief press officer Doug Haney said today via email. “Likely Nov. 2 will be day one at Vail, and Copper is still in flux.”

A STRONG WINTER-LIKE STORM WILL MOVE THROUGH COLORADO BEGINNING THIS AFTERNOON AND WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT THE AREA THROUGH WEDNESDAY. A COLD FRONT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS STORM WILL SWEEP SOUTHWARD ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT REACHING COLORADO BY WEDNESDAY MORNING. MILD TEMPERATURES AHEAD OF THE FRONT WILL RESULT IN SNOW BEING CONFINED TO ELEVATIONS ABOVE  9000 FEET INITIALLY. HOWEVER...A MUCH COLDER AIR MASS WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION BEHIND THE FRONT CAUSING THE SNOW LEVEL TO LOWER TO MOUNTAIN BASES SHORTLY AFTER ITS PASSAGE. PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS WILL APPROACH NEAR ONE FOOT ON THE HIGHEST ELEVATION ON WEST FACING SLOPES OR NEAR MOUNTAIN PASSES.

Vail vs. Deer Valley Comparison?

Last weekend my Pop came over from Park City….no skiing yet at either place, Vail or Deer Valley, but you can tell it’s not long. Every time he comes over he wears that damn Deer Valley hat. He’s proud. He worked there and skis there(already bought his pass). The day he went back home from our visit they announced Deer Valley is #1…again. Of course he called and emailed and texted it over. It’s been going on for years now…who has the first snow(you can ski on) who’s #1..the chili at Empire…blah, blah, blah. I’ve skied Deer Valley a lot over the years…and the new area by the Montage is nice(when there’s snow)…I like it steep and deepJ I know I’m probably not the first, but just once I would like to bring my snowboard to DV, put it in the racks and hear what people would say. Yes, the customer service is great, but more than once was I shuttled to the back of the parking lot only to carry my own skis to the base, unlike the perception that everyone gets their boots heated by the staff and have a happy ending before hitting the first chair. Yep…it’s #1,voted on by the readers of SKI. But do they know? Maybe they don’t. My Pop knows. No matter how much he won’t stop talking about Deer Valley and it’s #1….when he comes over to the valley to ski with me and my boys….he sees, there is NO comparison. It’s 2 minutes from my front door to the lift at the Beav….which has better terrain and just as much in size as Deer Valley….I don’t need to talk up the cookies at the Beav, but it’s the first thing my Pop asks about….where is that lady with the cookies? I just smile…she’s in line….off to a couple groomers then Stone Creek and if my 70+ year old Pop can handle Grouse…we’re there. Oh wait, forgot to mention Vail, I'm mean do I really need to get into it? It’s over twice the size of Deer Valley, it opens earlier, and stays open later than Deer Valley(for true skiers) He always stops to look at the Gore or Holy Cross and says…”we don’t have this in Utah”….Yea right, they’re mountains. Not to say we aren’t on a mountain in Deer Valley, but the views are better in Salt Lake than on the Mountains in Utah. I’ve lived in the Vail Valley for about 15 years and I still don’t understand…how do you compare Deer Valley to Vail?….either the people in Deer Valley have never been to Vail or something? I’m sure everyone feels this way about their “home” mountains, but hey, I’m open to anything….Really, if the resorts in Park City would come together and give people a multiple mountain (affordable)pass….that would be sweet…diverse terrain, and tons of options…but I doubt that will ever happen. So, until then, I know…my Pop knows…There is no comparison.   Sorry if I offended any other resort here…I probably skied or boarded there too, and liked it, but this was between my Pop and me…personally my favorite is Silverton Mountain, one lift(and then you hike)…kick ass snow(even more consistent than Vail) and thrown into an old UPS truck after almost every run. The longer I ski and board, the more I strive to get to the puridity of eachJ is that a word? I hope writing this doesn’t heighten the DV vs. Vail “thing” between us, but I’m just curious about how others feel about it…..