Ski Area Bill Signed Into Law (November 2011)
Vail Daily — On Monday, President Obama signed into law Sen. Mark Udall's bill to reduce federal regulations that aims to help mountain communities and ski areas create stable jobs through the shoulder seasons. The bipartisan Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act makes a small change to the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to allow the Forest Service to permit ski areas to host activities beyond the currently allowed Nordic and alpine skiing. They can now consider permitting activities such as mountain biking, concerts and ropes courses on National Forest lands... read the article >
Senate Passes Udall's Ski Area Bill (October 2011)
Vail Daily — The Senate unanimously passed Sen. Mark Udall's Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act on Tuesday. “I'm thrilled to report that the ski areas bill is now headed to the president's desk to be signed into law,” Udall said Tuesday on his Facebook page. “This is a great win for Colorado's mountain towns — with a simple clarification to the law, we're helping ski towns and resorts create hundreds of jobs and bolster communities during the shoulder seasons.” The bill was passed through the House of Representatives Oct. 3.... read the article >
Vail Resorts Grows Revenues in 2011 (September 2011)
Vail Daily — Record skier visits, great snow and higher prices helped Vail Resorts grow revenues during the 2011 fiscal year despite lingering economic concerns, company CEO Rob Katz reported Thursday. Vail Resorts reported revenue growth in all of the company's primary business areas, with the strongest growth in the mountain and lodging divisions.... read the article >
Final Tallies Indicate All-Time Skier Visit Record in US (July 2011)
The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) announced today that U.S. ski areas set a new all-time record of 60.54 million skier/snowboarder visits during the 2010/11 season, according to the final Kottke End of Season Survey. The association announced preliminary figures in May projecting that, at an estimated 60.1 million skier/snowboarder visits, the 2010/11 season was the second-best on record. However, an unprecedented turn of events that saw many ski areas operating late into the spring, and even summer, helped fuel the industry toward setting the new visitation record... read the article >
The US Ski Industry Tallies Second Best Season on Record (May 2011)
The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) announced today that U.S. ski areas tallied 60.1 million skier and snowboarder visits during the 2010/11 season, according to the preliminary 2010/11 Kottke End of Season Survey. This marks the second time that the ski industry has broken the 60 million visit threshold, and represents a 0.6 percent increase from last season’s 59.8 million visits, and is just shy of the 60.5 million visit record set in 2007/08..... read the article >
IAD Attends National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) National Convention (May 2011)
From May 4th through 7th, Spencer Stanek of International Alpine Design participated in the NSAA National Convention. NSAA is the largest ski industry trade show in the United States that showcases the latest trends and innovations in ski area operations, equipment, real estate, marketing and planning. As a perennial attendee, IAD exhibited their services and projects for review and discussion by industry leaders. As part of the convention, IAD attended several presentations where in depth discussions on economics, tourism, real estate and social media were held.
IAD Contributes on 'Future of Winter Sports in China' SAM Article (February 2011)
What does the future of winter sports in China look like? There are nearly as many different visions as there are people. In part two of our state of the industry survey, SAM China presented three questions to the eight experts here. Their visions may be different, but all eight experts are very optimistic about the future of Chinese winter sports, and enthusiastic about being a part of it. We hope that the wide range of their views will provide food for thought about the future of your own particular resort... download the article >
Beaver Creek, 30 Years in the Making (December 2010)
Pioneers involved with Beaver Creek from its earliest days reunite this weekend... Beaver Creek was nothing but a forest back in the mid-1970s, with a ski resort just a glimmer in the eyes of a few people who were planning to build it. Many of those original movers and shakers met for first tracks at Beaver Creek Saturday as part of the weekend festivities celebrating the resort's 30th anniversary. Mike Larson of International Alpine Design, one of the original planners, said.... read the article >
Vemdalen Completes Sweden's Longest, Highest Chairlift (November 2010)
Working off of IAD design plans, Björnrike ski area in Vemdalen, Sweden installed the Grizzly Express, the longest and highest 6-seater chairlift in Sweden and the fastest in Scandinavia. Along with the chairlift, a new transport surface lift, two new pistes and a new, super-efficient snowmaking system were installed. This winter, the turns in Björnrike's corduroy snow will be more enjoyable than ever.... read more >
Hundfjället, Sweden Completes IAD Plans Expansion for Trollbäcken (November 2010)
Hundfjället is developing Trollbäcken for the next season. It will become a brand new area with fantastic skiing! Two new red slopes of 1200 metres each, a surface lift and an accompanying snow cannon system... read more >
Trollbäcken Lift & Trail Expansion Nearly Complete in Hundfjället, Sweden (October 2010)
IAD's lift, trail and real estate expansion Trollbäcken is nearing completion in Hundfjället, Sweden near Salen. The interconnected, natural trail system has been cleared and lift towers are being installed. Follow the progress on Skistar's Trollbäcken construction blog ... see the blog >
IAD Designed Vail Blue Sky Basin Celebrates 10 Years (January 2010)
Skiers and snowboarders arrived early for the first 10 a.m. chair ride up to Belle's Camp, the top of chair 37, where Vail employees handed out commemorative anniversary pins, cupcakes and hot chocolate. It was a party celebrating not only the popularity and success of Blue Sky, but also the memory of those who made it possible. While Blue Sky Basin, originally known as Vail's Category III expansion, faced opposition from environmentalists in the years leading up to its opening, those who designed and planned it look back proudly at what they accomplished. “It had such a small environmental impact on the land,” said Mike Larson, President of International Alpine Design and the former head of planning at Vail Resorts for 27 years. “It continues to set an example for environmentally sensitive planning.” read the article >
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