Greetings from ESWA.

[ski diva]

This weekend I'm at the Eastern Ski Writers Assocation meeting at Mount Snow (VT), and it's been a real kick to meet ski journalists and resort people from all over the east coast.

This morning I attended a Q&A with Peak Resorts president Tim Boyd, then participated on a panel re blogging and skiing (get a load of this: TheSkiDiva.com and its accompanying blog, Ski Diva, are gaining a real reputation in the ski industry! People have actually heard about us and view us as a respected resource in women's skiing! Yay us!!! )

This afternoon we'll be witnessing a demo of the new fan gun snowmaking technology equipment that Mount Snow and Attitash are installing for the upcoming season (no real snow will be made, alas). Promises to be really cool. I'll post more about that later.

 

[ski diva]

Now that I'm back from the ESWA meeting, I can fill you in on some of the details.

First of all, a good Q&A from Tim Boyd, president of Peak Resorts! Peak recently bought Mt Snow and Attitash from the defunct ASC, and also owns Crotched Mountain (NH), Boston Hills & Brandywine (OH), Mad River Mountain (OH), Snow Creek (MO), Hidden Valley (MO), Jack Frost & Big Boulder (PA), and Paoli Peak (IN). According to Tim, Peak's focus is going to be on upgrading the snowmaking facilities at Snow at Attitash, instead of on real estate development. This was music to my ears. I think too many mountains get their priorities screwed up by emphasizing condos and vacation homes, and letting the mountain go to pot. Peak Resorts is a private company, so they're not beholden to shareholders like ASC. And while everyone likes to make a profit, sometimes that can make a big difference in the way things are done.

We were all trotted outside to a demonstration of the new snowmaking fans they're installing. These fans are supposed to be significantly more energy efficient and able to blow snow over a much greater expanse than conventional fan technology.

Here's one up close and personal:

Then they put a few of the ones they'd already installed into action for us. Unfortunately, since it was about 90°F, all they could blow was water. It was pretty cool, anyway:

Other stuff from the meeting. I was on a panel about blogging and what makes a blogger a legitimate journalist (which doesn't really effect anyone here). Here's a photo, nonetheless, though it's a bit fuzzy and I don't look too hot. I'm sitting next to Kirt Zimmer, Director of Sales & Marketing of Windham Mountain in New York State. On his other side is Chris Dehnel, president of ESWA and snowsports columnist for the Journal Inquirer, a daily newspaper in North Central Connecticut:

Not a great picture, but it proves I was there, I guess.

And just for fun, we took a lift ride to the top of Mount Snow, where there was a nice breeze at the top -- a relief on a really hot day. It was just good to see the trails! We saw a few people heading up to the top with mountain bikes. Mount Snow hosted the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships a few weeks ago, and is really known for its biking trails:

Anyway, I enjoyed the meeting. It was nice to meet a group of people who're really nuts about skiing and who make it their business cover it.

 

[SnowHot]

Wendy, I'm stoked that you were able to attend this and find out that you've filled a niche in the ski industry that had not been addressed.
I don't know why you are so surprised, We aren't!

So.................the snow gun didn't produce actual snow? Dang!