Archive
154 analyses and counting — newest first.
Reno gave nonprofit Sky Tavern a 99-year lease while Nederland's $120M Eldora buy stalls. Why long tenure beats ownership for most community ski areas.
Vail's largest food investment targets chili, burgers and fries, the items most guests buy. Here's the menu playbook any independent can copy by Monday.
Mission 1 can't focus closer than about 24 inches. GoPro's $99 PolarPro filter set fixes it. Which strength a resort content team should buy first.
A Kalshi market lets ski-town businesses bet on Stowe's snow by Dec. 24. The coin-flip line is the wrong hedge for most. What a lodge should do instead.
Three Jackson ski areas now trade a same-day JAC boarding pass for a free lift ticket. Why the blackout dates are the real strategy, and how to copy it.
Mission Ridge's 11-ft Yeti and Sasquatch Mountain's name show how one local legend becomes years of resort content, and how to find and film your own.
Great Bear Ski Valley added RFID lift access with a $4.31 reloadable card, two seasons after a POS overhaul. Here's the order small ski areas should copy.
Mount Waterman is back on sale at $3.275M after a members-only club deal collapsed. On a Forest Service permit, you sell public access, not exclusivity.
The Insta360 Mic Pro and DJI Mic 3 are rated to 14°F, and their charging specs are stricter. Here's the cold-weather audio kit for resort content crews.
Palisades Tahoe's $799 Beginner Progression Pass trades three lessons for a 2026/27 season pass. The conversion play, and the visit most resorts miss.
Four Summit County ski areas sent statements on drought snowmaking; A-Basin went on record with numbers. A receipts-first water content plan for resorts.
Snowland skipped its free-until-2027 plan: $20 adult tickets, kids free, a new 2,450-foot lift. The small-hill pricing and honest-ops playbook, explained.
Brian Head shortened group lessons, added a third daily start and priced spring lessons from $59. Why lesson capacity is the real beginner bottleneck.
Antigravity's $799 A1 Follow Me bundle has a Ski Mode, but its spec sheet caps takeoff at 6,562 ft and wind at 12.1 mph. What resort teams need to know.
HTI just took full control of snowmaker Supersnow, adding a third snow brand next to Leitner, Poma and Prinoth. Here's how resorts should buy tech now.
A 5-year snowfall average can beat the long-term number by 25%. Here's how resort content teams can publish snow data that earns trust, not eye-rolls.
Snowbowl's 2026/27 calendar has 86 dates at $9 lift tickets, and some include $10 in Snowbowl Cash. Here's what the promotion teaches resort operators.
Park City retook the world's longest shot ski record by just 10 people. The tiny margin is a decade-long content format your resort can borrow this winter.
Western ski-town winter occupancy is down 8.3% as rates rise. Guests aren't asking for cheaper, they want certainty. Here's how to sell it before December.
Sugar Bowl makes snow at 60°F, Aspen kept 85% of last winter's snow, Mt. Rose fired its guns first. Early season is now a snow-source portfolio decision.
SIA's 2025-26 study: snowboarding up 9% to 10.6M, alpine flat, 5.3M riders under 25. Here's how resort content teams should rebalance this winter season.
Turning our resort numbers into a living, breathing, playable mountain, and having an absolute blast making the business fun to explore.
Indoor snowmaking is no longer a novelty. A new wave of investments is revealing the real cost structure — and which resorts can actually make the math work.
Michigan's Sugar Loaf ski resort closed in 2000 and just reopened as parkland. The 26-year gap is the most honest viability lesson in the ski industry.
Loveland fired its first snow guns of 26-27 on September 30. Here's the race-to-open marketing playbook that earns passes before the first chair spins.
The U.S. Forest Service finalized its water rights rule Sept. 27. Here's what it locks in — and what it changes for AI snowmaking systems on federal land.
A new study warns only 7 of Japan's ski resorts can survive on natural snow by 2100. Here's the snowmaking investment brief every resort operator needs.
Willamette Pass tripled its snowmaking in a historic upgrade. Here's what the capital bet signals for PNW independents and every resort operator watching.
Alterra's $350M capital commitment raises the bar across 50+ Ikon Pass resorts. Here's what the infrastructure arms race means for independent operators.
Aspen's $3.75 anniversary lift ticket is a masterclass in earned media. Here's the anniversary pricing playbook operators should run at every milestone.
Australian ski resorts are shutting down a month early in 2026. Here's what the fixed-cost math from that early closure tells every North American operator.
A Colorado ski resort is 50 days from firing snowmaking guns. Here's the pre-season campaign playbook that earns pass renewals before October arrives.
Full Insta360 X6 reviews landed from Outside, Engadget, VICE, and Popular Science. Here's the honest verdict for solo resort content teams who shoot every day.
DJI officially teased the Osmo 360 II with real footage on Aug 7. Here is what resort content creators should know before committing to Insta360 X6 or waiting.
A new lawsuit claims four ski resort giants shared proprietary pricing data to inflate costs. Here's what the allegation means for independent resorts.
Crystal Mountain just ended Ikon Pass reservations for 2026-27. Here's the retention math behind the move and the friction audit every resort needs now.
GoPro vs. Insta360 got a patent ruling this week. Here's what the action cam market chaos means for resort content teams — and what to do about your gear.
Crystal Mountain WA is leveraging the Perseid meteor shower for summer attendance. Here's the summer astronomy marketing playbook every resort can run tonight.
Colorado approved $3.9M in incentives to keep Alterra's HQ from moving to SLC. Here's what 'Project Odysseus' reveals about every Ikon resort's leverage.
GoPro's budget LIT HERO just dropped to an all-time low price — now cheaper than AirPods. Here's the honest take for small resort content teams on a lean budget.
NOAA's 2026-27 winter forecast just dropped, and resort marketers have a rare summer window to get ahead of snow messaging. Here's the regional breakdown.
Austria's glacier resort is installing 800 wind-powered solar crosses at 9,350 ft. The lesson: place-specific infrastructure builds brand identity.
While S. American resorts are buried in mid-July powder, most North American resort content teams go quiet on skiing. Here's why that's a costly mistake — and the fix.
DJI Osmo Action cameras are on sale up to 65% off. Here's which models make sense for resort content teams and how they stack up in real mountain conditions.
Vail's CEO called for a comeback 'beyond Epic.' Here's what that strategic pivot actually signals for independent resort marketing in 2026-27.
NOAA: 81% chance of record El Niño by Oct–Dec 2026. Colorado and Sierra resorts should run forecast-backed pass campaigns now before the August early-bird deadline.
The Sunshine Protection Act passed 308–117 on July 14. Permanent DST changes avalanche windows, early lift ops, and guest arrival timing. What ops teams need now.
The FAA now allows specialized drones for avalanche control at ski areas. Here's what the ruling changes operationally — and what it signals for resort tech strategy.
Vail's 'Epic Experience' initiative drops $175M into wages, dining, rentals, and lessons. When Vail raises the hospitality floor, all of skiing adjusts.
Northern Utah's Cherry Peak Resort just listed at $22.5M. Here's what that number tells operators about valuation, capital, and community-resort survival.
Steamboat just rebranded its hospitality operations. A city councilor pushed back. Here's what the rollout teaches resort marketers about community trust.
NOAA confirms El Niño at 96% probability for winter 2026-27. Colorado wins, PNW loses. Here's how smart resort marketing teams respond before snow flies.
When the Fishhook Fire broke out near Steamboat Springs in July 2026, the resort deployed snow guns as fire defense. This is becoming a real ops protocol — not a fluke.
Monarch Mountain published their entire 108-page USFS master plan publicly. Here's why that radical transparency is the playbook independent resorts need.
Vail's Attitash and Wildcat snowmaking upgrades are the offseason capital story most NH marketers undersell. Here's how to turn infrastructure into trust.
GoPro just took a $20M emergency loan from its founder and faces going-concern doubts. Here's the game plan for resort content teams building on GoPro gear.
Palisades Tahoe's $699 midweek-only season pass just returned after 10+ years away. Here's the pricing move your resort should steal this off-season.
Aspen is auctioning legacy chairlifts to clear the way for the new Nell Bell gondola. Here's how any resort can turn capital projects into marketing gold.
Taos Ski Valley joins Mountain Riders Alliance. Here's the practical playbook for turning sustainability certifications into guest loyalty and pass sales.
Deer Valley's Hail Peak Express expands the resort to 4,500+ skiable acres. What does a $100M+ lift project signal to the rest of the industry?
The Insta360 X6 FCC filing dropped this week, signaling an imminent launch. Here's what it means for resort content budgets mid-season.
Eagle Point Resort's Cottonwood Fire response is a master class in transparent crisis comms. Here's the 3-phase playbook every ski resort should have ready.
A federal antitrust suit targets Vail and Alterra over Epic and Ikon Pass pricing. Here's what the case means for independent ski resort strategy in 2026.
GoPro's GP3 chip brings cinema-grade performance and AI stabilization to action cameras. Here's what ski resort content teams need to know before it launches.
Ikon added Lutsen, Granite Peak, and Snowriver to its 2026-27 pass. Here's the AI discovery playbook every remaining independent ski resort needs now.
Ikon added 3 Midwest mountains and Deer Valley doubled its terrain. Here is what the pass arms race signals for independent ski resort strategy in 2026.
Alterra parted ways with Steamboat's president mid-summer. Here's what resort marketing teams can learn about continuity, brand voice, and staying dialed.
Epic Pass sales fell 10% and Vail logged 12.5% fewer skier days in 2025-26. Here's what the data really means for independent resort marketing strategy.
Mammoth Mountain unveiled a multi-year bike park rebuild. Here's the filming gear I'd pack for the new Gravity Logic-designed trails opening this summer.
Most resorts optimize skiing but leave their best photo moments to chance. Here’s how to design Instagrammable mountain moments that market your resort.
Winter Park closed skiing April 19. Trestle opens May 23. Is your resort marketing its summer mountain bike park like a real product or an afterthought?
US skier visits dropped sharply in 2025-26. Here's the exact marketing playbook smart resorts run right now to protect pass renewals after a bad snow year.
A Colorado ski resort bike park just canceled its entire summer season. Here’s the year-round revenue warning every resort operator needs to hear right now.
GoPro HERO12 Black just hit $269 on Amazon — its lowest price yet — as DJI competition intensifies. Here's what ski resort content teams need to know.
Snow Partners is expanding its multi-mountain pass network. Here's what the growing independent pass ecosystem means for mid-tier resort marketing teams.
SAM Magazine's annual Best & Worst in Marketing 2025-26 just dropped. Here's how I'd grade this ski season — and the metric nobody's actually measuring.
Most resort teams use AI like a search engine. The ones pulling ahead use agent skills — automated workflows that run your content, alerts, and feedback loops on autopilot.
AI isn't making resort marketing less human. When used right, it gives teams their attention back — so they can actually connect with guests, find real stories, and put the heart back into the job.
Arapahoe Basin closes May 3 with $39 tickets and live music. Here’s how their end-of-season marketing playbook turns the last day into their best content day of the year.
Aspen Snowmass just launched a Flex Pass from $679 and Weekday Pass from $2,099. Here’s what every independent ski resort can take from Aspen’s pass flexibility strategy for 2026-27.
I was at Gate B7 before 7 AM directing an AI agent to build custom WordPress elements, wire up affiliates, and publish 22 blog posts — all from my phone. Here's what agentic AI actually looks like in the real world.
DJI isn't banned — but the FCC situation is real and complicated. Here's the accurate breakdown of what's available, what Part 107 means, and which drone to buy for resort content in 2026.
Epic Pass hits record prices for adults and launches a Gen Z discount for 2026-27. Here’s what Vail’s bifurcated pricing strategy teaches every ski resort marketing team.
Mammoth Mountain is skiing into Memorial Day after 46 inches of April snow. Here’s what their late-season marketing playbook looks like and what every ski resort can steal from it.
Mt. Hood Skibowl gave 72.5% back to pass holders after a 22-day season. Here's what every independent ski resort can learn from this rare act of transparent pass marketing.
CR breaks down the 5 search queries that keep resort marketing directors up at night — and what to actually do about each one.
Ski resorts are installing AI cameras at lift lines for safety and crowd data. Here's what that means for marketing teams, guest experience, and the privacy conversation ahead.
GPT Image 2 and Seedance 2.0 together form the most powerful AI creative stack available. Here is how ski resort content teams can use it today.
Palisades Tahoe got 81 inches in April. Here's how to turn exceptional late-season conditions into pass renewal conversions and lock in next year's guests right now.
Powder Mountain's $40M upgrade is a $40M marketing opportunity — if you tell the story right. Here's the three-act capital project marketing framework that actually works.
Burke Mountain is trying snow farming to extend ski racing season. Here's what the technique means for resort operations, sustainability, and pass value storytelling.
Vail Resorts landed at the low end of guidance due to poor snowfall. Here's what your resort marketing team should do right now to weather-proof your guest relationship.
Bridger Bowl is winning with real, relatable ski videos. Here is why authentic content outperforms polished production and what your resort content strategy should look like.
Eagle Point Resort is giving away free season passes to college students. Here is the business model behind it and how independent resorts can use the same playbook to grow their audience.
Park City Mountain is eliminating free parking. What this means for resort amenity strategy, guest experience, and how to handle the pricing conversation without burning goodwill.
Steamboat Springs put their brand on Spotify. Here is why audio branding is the most underused marketing channel at ski resorts and how to build your resort sound identity.
The ski industry set a 2024-25 world record with 399 million visits. Here is what that milestone really means for your resort marketing strategy and pass sales.
Colorado wrapped one of its driest ski seasons ever. Discover the offseason strategy smart resorts are deploying right now to recover revenue and build a stronger 2026-27 season.
I love the Ikon Pass. Let me say that upfront. It’s a phenomenal product — 70+ destinations, incredible variety, and real value for anyone who wants to
Mountain Capital Partners just confirmed new chairlifts at Lee Canyon and Purgatory for 2026-27, plus stable Power Pass pricing. Here's what
NSAA's Growth Committee is using AI to finally hit its stride on ski participation growth. Here are the specific tactics and tools resort operators
Pass renewal season is open across the Pacific Northwest and it's competitive. Here's what's working for PNW resorts competing for
Ikon's new video ad used a TV remote with dozens of buttons to visualize their resort network. It's one of the simplest, most effective resort
A major Oregon ski area is offering deeply discounted season passes for next season — and skiers are debating whether to bite. Here's what this
Tahoe's biggest resorts are reopening in April, Copper Mountain is extending its season despite a tough winter, and Maine resorts are wrapping up
Copper Mountain extended to May 3 and Breckenridge is milking its final weekend for all it's worth. Here's the late-season playbook every
Jay Peak just launched a brilliantly simple content-gathering game that gets skiers to create UGC in exchange for exclusive prizes. Here's the exact
Ikon's newest video ad uses a TV remote with 70+ buttons to show how many resorts are on the pass. It's a simple analogy that lands instantly
The NSAA Growth Committee just hit its original 60M skier visit target and has shifted focus to growing the total number of US skiers to 13 million. AI
SlopeFillers analyzed 50 ski resorts and found only 26% are still active on X/Twitter in 2026. Here's how to decide where your resort's social
Snowbird is replacing its 54-year-old Chickadee double chair with a SkyTrac fixed-grip quad. Here's what the project reveals about lift capital
Vail Resorts is charging a 3.2% blended sales tax on Epic Pass purchases, and New Hampshire skiers are furious. A direct lesson in checkout pricing
A growing class-action lawsuit against Vail Resorts is a wake-up call for every ski area operator to audit compensation, classification, and culture
Heavenly Mountain just reopened after 25 inches of April snow. Here's what that means for your resort's closing day decision-making process —
Today is the last day for Ikon Pass lowest pricing. Alterra's deadline architecture — tiered increases, expiring perks, 0% APR financing, and a
Heavenly reopened after 25 inches of April snow. Copper Mountain extended to May 3. Late-season storms are marketing opportunities — but only for resorts
A practical blueprint for turning an AI chief of staff idea into a useful resort management agent with memory, approvals, and real tools. Use ai ski
A simple, ELI5 guide to Open Gate, 8K, sensor size, and ND filters, plus the GoPro gear I would buy first. Use gopro ski tactics to improve results, save
Google's AI Overviews are reshaping search. Here's how ski resorts can optimize for SGE, structured data, E-E-A-T, and conversational search
A practical workflow for turning an AI-assisted plugin idea into a real WordPress tool, from prompt to staging to live deployment. Use ai ski resort
Learn how ski resorts can use audience segmentation—passholders, families, day-trippers, and more—to deliver the right message at the right moment. Use
Sometimes an iPhone clip crushes a RED camera edit. Here's why authentic ski resort content outperforms polished production — and when it
Get the perfect ski & snowboard footage in 2026 with the best GoPro Hero 13 and Mission ONE custom settings for video, photo, and presets. Use gopro
Shooting GoPro on snowy mountains? ND filters are essential. Compare Polar Pro, Freewell & Tiffen for the best GoPro ND filter in 2026. Use gopro ski
The right video editor depends on your team, turnaround speed, and content goals. Here's the complete breakdown for ski resort teams. Use gopro ski
Step-by-step monthly content cadence for ski resorts. Pre-season hype, opening day, holidays, mid-season retention, late-season urgency. Template
Powder days are your highest-value content window. Here's how smart ski resorts capture and publish before the magic disappears. Use ski resort
GA4's Gemini AI features, predictive audiences, and funnel analysis give ski resort marketers a powerful edge. Here's how to use them
Is the GoPro El Grande worth it for ski filming? Full review covering shot angles, cold weather performance, Quik app integration, and how it compares to
4K60 vs 5.3K30 vs 2.7K240 slow-mo. Learn the best GoPro frame rate and resolution combos for cinematic ski and snowboard edits. Use gopro ski tactics to
Unlock hidden GoPro power with GoPro Labs firmware. Discover QR code tricks for hindsight, scheduled capture, exposure lock & more for ski filming.
Is the GoPro Mission ONE worth it for skiing & snowboarding? Full snow sports review: stabilization, battery life in cold, image quality, and more.
GoPro subscription or camera-only purchase? We break down what you actually get, when it's worth it, and the best alternatives for ski filmers. Use
From on-mountain email capture to year-round content strategy, here's how ski resorts build lasting guest loyalty that survives the off-season. Use
Great ski action photography isn't about expensive gear — it's about composition, timing, and light. Here's the playbook. Use ski resort
Helmet top, chin mount, chest harness, pole, board — every GoPro ski mount position explained with pros, cons, and the best gear for each angle. Use gopro
AI tools are reshaping resort marketing — from email copy and ad creative to chatbots and PR pitches. Here's the practical stack that works. Use ai
Microsoft Clarity is a free analytics tool that reveals exactly how visitors behave on your resort website — no guesswork required. Use ai ski resort
As ski resort professionals, we often find ourselves navigating a complex landscape of operations, guest satisfaction, and employee relations. However,
Master GoPro's Log/Flat color mode for ski and snowboard footage. Better dynamic range, cinematic results, and full control in post. Use gopro ski
Organic reach isn't dead — it's just moved. Here's the social media playbook ski resorts are using to drive real engagement in 2026. Use
Seven AI tools we actually use for ski resort marketing. Each tool: what it does, price, and best use case for a resort. Build your stack or start with
A month-by-month content calendar built for ski resort marketing teams — from pre-season hype to off-season loyalty campaigns. Use ai ski resort tactics
Same video, two platforms, completely different results. Here's exactly what ski resort content performs on TikTok vs. Instagram — and why. Use
Level up your ski & snowboard GoPro setup with the 10 best accessories in 2026 — mounts, batteries, SD cards, and more gear every snow filmer needs.
Dynamic pricing is transforming how ski resorts sell lift tickets. Here's how the model works, what industry leaders do, and how independents can
Discover why email outperforms social media for ski resort marketing—and how to build a segmented, automated strategy that drives real revenue. Use ai ski
AI isn't just for big resorts. Here's how small and mid-size mountains can deploy guest chatbots, snowmaking optimization, and AI-assisted
GoPro HERO 13 for resort marketing teams. Battery life in cold, durability on the mountain, social media quality—tested by non-videographers doing actual
We built an AI content pipeline for a mid-size mountain. 35 hours/week → 8 hours/week. Here's what we did, what it cost, and what any resort can
Small resorts crush social media because they're fast, authentic, and community-focused. Three playbooks any resort can steal from mountains winning
Why film in log mode at all? Log mode gives you a flatter image, which sounds worse at first, but it gives you more room to edit later. On a GoPro, that
This is test content will this load and populate? Long(ish)-Term Review of the DJI Mavic 4 Use ski resort marketing tactics to improve results, save time,
Learn practical ideas for mastering filming with gopro: pros, cons, and best practices. Use gopro ski tactics to improve results, save time, and get more
