PodSAM

The Huddle: Thinking Clearly in Uncertain Times - Part 2

Our recent SAM Huddle, Thinking Clearly in Uncertain Times, was recorded on April 21, 2025. With tensions around trade and cross-border relations rising, this conversation brought together industry and policy perspectives to delve into how these developments are reshaping the landscape for travel and resort operations throughout North America. This is episode two of our two-part series covering this conversation. 

The J-1 visa program is facing potential cuts, prompting resorts to diversify recruitment strategies. While the program currently remains viable for the upcoming season, H-2B visas are being considered as a more stable—albeit costlier—alternative. Many resorts are preparing to use both to cover seasonal staffing needs. 

Plus, efforts to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act or NEPA process are also underway, with more responsibility placed on project sponsors to prepare documentation. Staffing shortages at the federal level are causing some delays, leading to increased use of third-party contractors. But, projects that can align with forest health and wildfire mitigation goals may gain added momentum.

Speakers:

• Dave Byrd, Director of Risk and Regulatory Affairs, NSAA
• Scott Prior, Senior Associate, Environmental and Permitting, SE Group
• Nate Riccardi, Pabian Law

Listen to part 1 of the conversation here.

The Huddle: Thinking Clearly in Uncertain Times - Part 1

Our recent SAM Huddle, Thinking Clearly in Uncertain Times, was recorded on April 21, 2025. The conversation brought ski industry leaders and policy experts together to unpack how current political dynamics—particularly U.S.–Canada relations and trade tensions—are affecting travel, tourism, and mountain resort operations across North America. This is episode one of our two-part series covering this conversation.

Shifting global sentiment, a steep drop in international bookings, and growing uncertainty at border-area resorts are reshaping travel behavior and forcing North American ski destinations to adapt quickly with localized marketing, flexible policies, and a greater reliance on domestic travelers.

On the other side of the business, industry suppliers are bracing for potential tariffs. While some are expediting production and shipping, others are leveraging domestic manufacturing to avoid price increases. Industry-wide, concerns are growing about tariffs as high as 160% on products tied to Chinese supply chains.

Speakers:

• Daren Cole, President & CEO, Leitner Poma of America
• Tom Foley, SVP, Business Intelligence, Inntopia
• MJ Legault, Partner/Managing Director, MMGY Origin
• Charles Santry, President, HKD Snowmakers
• Chris Steinkamp, Head of Advocacy, SIA
• Steve Wright, President, Jay Peak Resort, Vt.

View MJ Legault's slideshow here and Tom Foley's slideshow here.

Listen to part 2 of the conversation here.

Summit Series: Mastering Your Mindset

Feeling overwhelmed and underprepared can create self-limiting thoughts, low-performance, unmet expectations, higher stress, dissatisfaction, and even disillusionment. During this conversation from the fall with the Class of 2024-25 mentors and mentees, we dove into how to strengthen your own mental toughness and mindset to draw out higher performance from others.

Looking for more? Read "Mastering Your Mindset" in the May 2025 issue of SAM.

Mentors:

• Ross Boisvert, President and General Manager, McIntyre Ski Area, Manchester, N.H. 
• Shannon Buhler, Vice President and General Manager, Keystone Resort, Colo.
• Rich Burkley, CEO, Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola, Lake Louise, Alberta
• Ken Rider, General Manager, Brundage Mountain, Idaho

Mentees:

• Josiah Akin, Maintenance and Rental Manager, Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, Ore.
• Christie Barbour, Lift Operations Manager, Whistler Blackcomb, BC
• Rob Hallowell, Innovative Environments Manager, Boreal Mountain Resort, Woodward Tahoe, Soda Springs, Calif.
• Ella Klott, Sales Manager, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
• Sarah Nutt, Assistant Patrol Director, Sunday River Resort, Maine
• Loryn Roberson, Director of Marketing and Communications, Loveland Ski Area, Colo.
• Tim Shannon, Director of Skier Services, The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain, Vt.
• Jenny Weaver, Health and Safety Manager, Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain, Calif.
• Jeremy Wildgoose, Director of Lodging, Schweitzer, Idaho
• Kyle Wilson, Snow Sports Director, Nordic Mountain, Wis.
• Rachel Wyckoff, Marketing Director, Shawnee Mountain, Pa.

Expert Voices:

• Paul Thallner, Founder, High Peaks Group
• Stu Singer, CEO and Founder, WellPerformance

Thank you to our premiere sponsor, MountainGuard, for their support of this program. 

Summit Series: Change Management

When change seems to be all we do, how do we manage it to our advantage? Listen in to a conversation from the fall with the Class of 2024-25 mentors and mentees.

Looking for more? Read "Change Management" from the January 2025 issue of SAM. 

Mentors:

• Kim Jones, Vice President and General Counsel, WinSport Olympic Park, Calgary, Alberta
• Karl Kapucinski, Chief Executive Officer, California Mountain Resort Company
• JR Murray, Chief Planning Officer, Mountain Capital Partners
• Karyn Thorr, Chief Operating Officer, Crystal Mountain, Mich.
• Brent Tregaskis, President & General Manager, Eldora Mountain Resort, Colo.
• Mike Unruh, Senior Vice President of Mountain Operations, Boyne Resorts

Mentees:

• Josiah Akin, Maintenance and Rental Manager, Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, Ore.
• Christie Barbour, Lift Operations Manager, Whistler Blackcomb, BC
• Rob Hallowell, Innovative Environments Manager, Boreal Mountain Resort, Woodward Tahoe, Soda Springs, Calif.
• Ella Klott, Sales Manager, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
• Sarah Nutt, Assistant Patrol Director, Sunday River Resort, Maine
• Loryn Roberson, Director of Marketing and Communications, Loveland Ski Area, Colo.
• Tim Shannon, Director of Skier Services, The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain, Vt.
• Jenny Weaver, Health and Safety Manager, Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain, Calif.
• Jeremy Wildgoose, Director of Lodging, Schweitzer, Idaho
• Kyle Wilson, Snow Sports Director, Nordic Mountain, Wis.
• Rachel Wyckoff, Marketing Director, Shawnee Mountain, Pa.

Expert Voice:

• Paul Thallner, Founder, High Peaks Group

Thank you to our premiere sponsor, MountainGuard, for their support of this program. 

Meet Mike: Interview with the New NSAA President

SAM sat down with the new National Ski Areas Association president and CEO, Mike Reitzell. This extended cut interview expands upon the "Meet Mike" article in SAM's January 2025 issue. 

Summit Series: It's a Balancing Act

During the 6th annual Summit Series leadership development program, six of our mentors and an expert voice discuss what it takes to balance the weight of the workforce and workplace on your shoulders, while striking a balance within yourself and your team.

As we welcome mentee nominations for this year's Summit Series, we will be sharing those conversations on PodSAM. 

Learn more about the Summit Series at saminfo.com. 

Summit Series: Leading Effective Teams

During the 6th annual Summit Series leadership development program, six of our mentors and an expert voice discuss how to build trust, communicate, and problem solve with your teams, with our group of mentees. 

As we welcome mentee nominations for this year's Summit Series, we will be sharing those conversations on PodSAM. You can also find a recap in the pages of SAM Magazine's March 2024 issue.

Learn more about the Summit Series at saminfo.com. 

 

Summit Series: What Makes a Good Leader

During our 6th annual Summit Series leadership development program, four of our mentors and an expert voice discuss a wide range of topics around leadership, like leadership styles, delegating, prioritizing tasks and more, with our group of mentees.

As we welcome mentee nominations for this year's Summit Series, we will be sharing those conversations on PodSAM. You can also find recaps in the pages of SAM Magazine's January 2024 issue. 

Learn more about the Summit Series at saminfo.com. 

Cutter's Camp: Fireside Chat with OGs

Mary Walsh, writer, announcer, and longtime Snowboarder Magazine staff editor joined Parker Bohon, host of The Blade Dive Podcast, in a discussion with industry icons looking at how far we’ve come in the last 20 years and what’s next for the freestyle terrain park world. Topics covered include:
- Where We’ve Come From: Origins and History of the Terrain Park; Evolution of the Park Department
- Technology, Trends, and Getting a Seat at the Table
- Where We’re Going and What the Future Holds

Explicit

Sponsored by Prinoth

What Defines Summer Success?

Just as the menu of summer activities, programs and events varies between operations, so do the goals and metrics that measure success. Being profitable is an important metric but it creates complexities. Listen on as we learn how 10 resorts across North America define what success looks like. This podcast is from a session presented at SAM's Summer Ops Camp, September 11, 2023.