Expanding the Experience

There is something about this point in the season that always makes me step back and look at how far our industry has come. One thing I realized while working on this issue is that the resorts that are thriving are the ones thinking about what comes next. Whether that’s who they’re welcoming onto the mountain, how they’re extending the guest experience or how they’re adapting to increasingly unpredictable winters, intention matters.

Our cover story takes us to Keystone Mountain Resort, a venue that has been a pioneer in the Colorado Rockies since 1970. This year, Keystone is making history by becoming the first resort to host the National Brotherhood of Snowsports (NBS) Summit in back-to-back years. The NBS is a vital force in our industry, representing 60 member clubs and working tirelessly to develop athletes of color for international competition. Last year’s summit at Keystone drew a record 1,500 attendees, and organizers expect that number to climb to 1,800 this year. Read more about this historic event and Keystone’s commitment to inclusion.

We explore how resorts are driving real results through after-hours programming. From night skiing to extended sessions for locals, our feature looks at how these programs are proving to be sustainable revenue drivers when built on operational clarity and repeatable systems.

We also take an in-depth look at North America’s largest snow storage project at Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia. With shorter cold windows and unpredictable snowfall, snow storage is moving from a niche experiment to a core piece of mountain infrastructure. Using insulated mat technology from Snow Secure, resorts can now insure their season, guaranteeing opening dates even when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Learn how this technology offers a feasible payback in as little as two years.

As always, don’t forget to check out our events calendar and industry news for the latest updates, and stay connected through our Facebook page and monthly e-newsletter. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these stories or any innovations you’re seeing at your own resort. You can reach me at editor@snowopsmag.com.

See you on the slopes!