Hot Sheet: Acquisitions, partnerships, closures and snow
Acquisitions, partnerships and a ski area closure are all in this week's Hot Sheet. There is also fresh snow in Colorado, which must mean that the season is almost upon us.
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OnTheSnow is acquiring SkiReport.com, North America’s second largest (behind OnTheSnow) snow reporting website, and the number one mobile snow app. OnTheSnow is operated by Mountain News Corp., which is owned by Vail Resorts. According to the company’s press release, some 860,000 people currently use SkiReport’s iPhone and Android snow reporting apps, which will be merging with OnTheSnow apps this fall. “The combination increases our mobile footprint 10-fold and brings our mobile base to 945,000 users. In this case, size really does matter. One of the features we’re most excited about in SkiReport’s apps is that the apps allow readers to post photos and Twitter-style snow reports from the hill,” OnTheSnow said in the release.
OnTheSnow also just unveiled a complete redesign of the site, revamping its appearance, content and functionality to enhance the user experience for skiers and snowboarders. The update focused on incorporating features like recommendation engines, more engaging photo, video and editorial content, and a focus on a more a personal experience. “This redesign illustrates how we’re continuing to provide OnTheSnow’s users a best-in-class experience, including a new personalization feature that not only delivers the content that brings them to the site, but also encourages users to explore new ways to enjoy their sport,” said Chad Dyer, global managing director of Mountain News Corp.
Moonlight Basin goes all in on Sagebrush Property Management
Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana, has acquired 100 percent ownership of Sagebrush Property Management. Sagebrush Property Management, formerly maintained through a 50 percent partnership between East West Resorts and Moonlight Basin, is the property management operator for the majority of the properties at the resort. “Moonlight Basin’s acquisition of Sagebrush Property Management will allow us to solely manage the guest and owner experience as well as commit additional resources directly towards promoting the resort and its unparalleled lodging options,” said Greg Pack, Moonlight Basin general manager.
Swix Sport USA partners with DMT for co-branded tuning
Swix Sport USA is partnering with DMT Diamond Machining Technology (DMT) to create a line of co-branded custom diamond ski-tuning stones. DMT will produce two custom Swix Sport ski and snowboard sharpeners 70 millimeters and 111 millimeters long in 5 grits. The sharpeners will be unique to Swix and will feature DMT’s iconic polka dot pattern. Swix Sport USA will also become the largest distributor of DMT’s ski and snowboard sharpening stones in the US. “With this step, Swix has strengthened its position as the number one alpine tuning tool supplier in the ski and snowboard industry,” said Steven Poulin, CEO of Swix Sport USA.
Wyoming ski area won’t run lifts this season
White Pine ski area in Pinedale, Wyo., won’t open this season according to the Wyoming Business Report. The Report states that according to the community group Citizens to Save White Pine, Oct. 1 will be the resort’s last day of operations. White Pine opened in 1939 as Surveyor Park Ski Area, one of the first lift-served ski areas in the U.S. The name was changed to White Pine in the 1960s, but the resort closed in 1988. A planning and development lease was granted to Wind River Resort Inc. (WRR) in 1993 and a 40-year lease was then granted to WRR in 1999 to operate both winter and summer recreational activities with access to the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Bridger Wilderness Area.
Snow in Colorado
And finally, there is snow in Colorado, raising expectations for the new season, even though it has been only two months since the previous season came to an end. Time to get the boards tuned up!
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