PodSAM SAM Magazine

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.

Steve Nilsen, more commonly known as Stix, is a legendary brand marketer, having worked with brands such as PBR, Red Bull, and now he serves as the VP of Cult Indoctrination at Liquid Death Mountain Water. If you're not familiar with Liquid Death, they've taken water to a whole new level with an insanely creative approach to their brand. In May of 2023, Stix joined the SAM team at Timberline, Mt. Hood, Ore., at Cutter's Camp, to share his insight into building powerful brand culture in the park and on the mountain. WARNING: this podcast contains a few swears.

This two-part discussion will cover how organizations move beyond setbacks to grow through challenges and how to be a place where people thrive. Let's face it, we are all a bit stressed and burnt out after a couple of years of facing serious challenges, both professionally and personally. 
Part 2: Finding courage, confidence, and scaling resilience to be sustainable for individuals, teams, and organizations.

This two-part discussion covers how organizations move beyond setbacks to grow through challenges and how to be a place where people thrive. Part one defines resilience, what we're doing wrong, and stress triggers.  
Learn more about SAM's Summit Series at www.saminfo.com/the-summit-series
 

Sustainability encompasses so much more than going “green.” The growth of sustainability specialist positions at mountain resorts and beyond has us asking, “What does it really mean to be a sustainable business?” We’ve gathered a group of sustainability leaders to hear about how they approach sustainability, the results of their current efforts, and future plans. Join us as we share stories and actionable takeaways for resorts big and small.
Mike Nathan, Sustainability Manager, Arapahoe Basin, Colo.
Amy Fonte, Sustainability Specialist, Big Sky, Mont., and Mari Kissinger, Director of Skier Services and Sustainability, The Highlands, Mich.
Dawn Boulware, Vice President of Environmental and Social Responsibility, Taos Ski Valley, N.M.
Bonnie Hickey, Sustainability Director, Bridger Bowl, Mont.
Christian Knapp, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Pacific Group Resorts, Inc., and Tommy Royther, Sustainability Coordinator, Wisp Resort, Md.
Co-host: Erika Kazi, Vice President of Social Impact and Sustainability, flaik 
and SAM's Associate Editor, Sarah Wojcik and Publisher, Olivia Rowan
This Huddle is presented in partnership with flaik.

This PodSAM is a must-listen for any leader or future leader in the industry. Tune in to the second topic in our Summit Series Leadership forum where we gather top industry leaders and 10 emerging leaders to discuss approaches to "Values-Driven Leadership."
"We can't operate without the team. We can't accomplish any of our business goals or initiatives without the team in place to do it. And so, in a values-driven organization, I've also found that you have to accept the values of others, right? And it creates a really dynamic conversation. And that's the way you get people on board, is really by having the conversation instead of telling them, these are our values. —Dee Byrne, President and COO, Palisades Tahoe, California
The mentors on this episode are:
David Norden, CEO of Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Tim Foster, Chief of Mountain Operations at Sun Peaks, British Columbia
Dee Byrne, President and COO, Palisades Tahoe, California
Tara Schoedinger, Vice President and General Manager of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Colorado
Dan Fuller, General Manager, Bristol Mountain, New York
Facilitator: Mark Gasta, Associate Director of the Outdoor Recreation Economy program at CU Boulder.
Moderator: Olivia Rowan, Publisher, SAM Magazine
 
For a list of all 10 mentees click here https://www.saminfo.com/the-summit-series/10212-meet-the-mentees-class-of-2022-2023