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National Ski Council Federation

National Ski Council Federation Newsbeat

March - April 2019

Copper Mountain to Add New Lift, Mid-Mountain Lodge.  Copper Mountain is planning more big capital improvements ahead of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 winter seasons as part of a multi-year, $100 million investment plan by parent company POWDR. Copper will add lift service to the expert high-alpine terrain on Tucker Mountain, construct a new mid-mountain lodge, and launch the Woodward Peace Park. 

Indy Pass Targets Independent Areas, Casual Skiers. A planned season pass product called the Indy Pass is partnering with a growing roster of small-to-medium sized independent ski areas with the goal of offering an alternative pass product to casual skiers and riders. Set to go on sale Sept. 1, 2019 for $199, the Indy Pass has 11 western ski areas signed up so far, with the pass providing two days at each. 

Big Plans at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe earned USFS approval for a 112-acre terrain expansion. The approved amendment to Mt. Rose’s existing special use permit includes 11 trails, two chairlifts, a five-million-gallon water tank for snowmaking, and a skier bridge across the highway that will connect the new trails and one of the lifts to the existing operation. 

Arapahoe Basin to End Pass Partnership with Vail Resorts. Arapahoe Basin has decided it will not renew its pass partnership with Vail Resorts for the 2019-20 season, citing parking and facility crowding. 

The FDA Wants to Make Sunscreen Safer, Finally. The FDA has announced that it is beginning a process to update regulatory requirements for sunscreen products. The proposed rules seek to bring over-the-counter sunscreen regulation into the 21st century.

It Was a Huge Year for the Ski Pass Locals Love to Hate. A new multi-mountain ski pass generated controversy across the West this year. Does it deserve the hate? 

Western Mountain Lodging Nears Record Levels. The only question left about western mountain lodging for the 2018-19 season is how big the record numbers will be—and if the record will be for occupancy, rate, revenue, or all of them.

How to Attract More Skiers? Operators Contend with Decline. Innovations, both of the technical and non-technical varieties, are what the North American ski industry needs to end stagnant participation numbers, said a cross section of industry professionals at the annual Mountain Travel Symposium Forum.

Climate change is taking a toll on the $20 billion winter sports industry. Snow sport seasons are getting shorter, due to warmer temperatures. That is already having a distinguishable financial impact on residential and resort properties that profit from snow.