European innovations on American mountains: The Big Sky experience
Over the past decade, Big Sky Resort has invested twice its original projection into modernization, adding 20 cutting-edge lifts. In an SI interview, President and COO Troy Nedved explains why the American market had to adapt to European technologies, which innovations are capturing the interest of the US market, and the current trends driving the development of American ski resorts.
The A-Basin Formula: The Move from Vail to Alterra and Solving the Crowding Crisis
At NSAA 2026, SI spoke with A-Basin President and COO, Alan Henceroth, about the transformation of one of Colorado’s most distinctive ski resorts – from tackling overcrowding with a $20 parking reservation system to joining Alterra and investing in its future – and what the European and American ski industries can learn from each other.
The corporate antidote: How Indy Pass Rethinks “Bigger Is Better” in Skiing
In an interview with SI at NSAA 2026, Indy Pass founder Doug Fish explains what the typical Indy Pass holder looks like, the strategy behind their unique two-day limit model, their upcoming expansion plans into Europe, and how climate uncertainty has driven last-minute bookings across the industry.
USA: Western Weather Challenges Offset Strong Eastern Performance
Preliminary data from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) indicates that the 2025-26 US-season saw an estimated 52.6 million snowsports visits at U.S. ski areas, representing a 9.1% decrease from the 10-year average, a decline of approximately 9 million visits from last season, and ranking 32nd out of 48 seasons on record. While challenging weather in the West drove the overall decline, regions east of the Rockies delivered strong seasons.
Mike Reitzell (NSAA) on the current state and trends in the USA.
Mike Reitzell, President of the National Ski Area Association (NSAA), speaks in an SI interview about the dynamics in the US ski market, ski subscription models, youth development, and how mountain resorts are becoming fit for the future.
France: Ski resorts invested 555M euros in 2025
In 2025, French ski resorts committed 555 million euros in investments, according to the annual survey by Montagne Leaders magazine in partnership with Atout France and Domaines Skiables de France, as reported by Planetski.