Ski Area / Mountain Resort Planning & Design

Capital Suggestions

Ski Area Management January 2022

Capital investments are a critical aspect of master planning for any resort – and the amount of data that can inform these decisions has dramatically risen in the last 10 years. So where does one begin?

SE Group has been guiding ski areas and resorts through capital planning since its inception in 1958. And in this article for Ski Area Management, CEO Kent Sharp joins a panel of experts to talk about growth and maintenance capital in this ever-changing environment.

Read the full article.

Unpack Your Assumptions

Ski Area Management November 2021

COVID has forced a broad rethinking of resort operations, the guest experience, and the use of space. In this article for Ski Area Management, Carolyn McShea and Claire Humber examine the operational assumptions that COVID disproved – and how resorts can continue to turn last year’s challenges into this year’s opportunities.

Read the full article.

Lift-Served Mountain Biking

NSAA Journal  Summer 2021

SE Group’s  Patrick Olstad and Drew Pollck-Bruce co-authored an article about the potential for lift-served mountain biking growth opportunities at ski areas and mountain resorts. Their findings are based on the insights and trends identified in a national survey of current riders and guests.

Click here to read the full article.

It’s all uphill now for Aspen-Snowmass

The Aspen Times details SE Group’s work with the City of Aspen develop a recreation plan that will provide recommendations, goals and policies for various forms of uphill recreation, whether it’s skiing, backcountry touring, hiking, or mountain biking.

Click here to read the article.

Introducing the Beavers and the Steep Gullies

Travis Beck, Director of Environmental Services, spoke with the NSAA Journal about the expansion project at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. SE Group partnered with Arapahoe Basin to help respond to public concerns, find alternatives to minimize impact, and navigate the planning and permitting with regard to the National Environmental Policy Act.

Click here to read the full article.

Green is the New White

SE Group Landscape Architects Patrick Olstad and Jason Hoover presented an article in the July 2018 issue of Ski Area Management about the importance of resort landscaping designed for non-winter use.

Click here to read the full article.

Bogus Basin Opens New Summer Operations

Bogus Basin recently opened for its first full Summer Season, offering new attractions including a mountain coaster, tubing hill and trampoline. SE Group worked with Bogus Basin to complete a Strategic Master Plan that identified the establishment of new summer activities.

Click here for a story featured on Boise’s local news channel KTVB.

NSAA 2018 National Tradeshow Presentation

Claire Humber and John Ashworth are once again teaming up to lead a panel discussion at the upcoming NSAA National Tradeshow and Convention in Marco Island, FL.  “Preparing for Change: Planning for an Unknown Future” will address the changing expectations of guests and the evolving demands on resort facilities.

Saturday, May 5 | 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm Learn More

Preparing for Change: Planning for an Unknown Future

With changing expectations and evolving demands on facilities and infrastructure, areas are spending valuable capital on building to meet a future demand that may not have even been thought of yet. Gone are the days of being able to build or plan for a single purpose. That new bike trail? How will it impact the ski run expansion into that area? That new kiosk at the bottom of Lift 4? Will the power and water be sufficient when that changes from a pre-made, grab-and-go spot to a hot dog stand and then a curry shop? Can that kid’s ski school expansion become a yoga studio during the summer months? Taking the time during the planning process to consider different scenarios and future needs can save you valuable resources when the unexpected demands of fickle customers force you to evolve.

Contact Claire or John to learn more about the presentation, or to connect with them at the event.

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SE Group attends Forest Service NEPA Roundtables

The Forest Service recently hosted Regional Roundtables to solicit feedback and discuss ideas, strategies, and tactics to improve the way the agency implements the NEPA process and engages with permittees, stakeholders, and the public.

Learn More

SE Group President, Kent Sharp participated in the Region 5 (Pacific Southwest) Roundtable, while Travis Beck, Director of Environmental Services, participated in the Roundtables held in Region 2 (Rocky Mountain), Region 3 (Southwestern), and Region 4 (Intermountain).

Roundtable topics included:

*   Forest Service introspective assessment of how the agency conducts NEPA, what is working and what is not
*   Getting back to the basics
*   NEPA process timelines
*   Opportunities for improvement
*   Agency culture and leadership

Summary reports, along with more on this discussion, are currently available online for Regions 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10 and Washington, and can be found at: https://www.nationalforests.org/collaboration-resources/environmental-analysis-and-decision-making-roundtables.

Please contact Travis should you wish to explore how we can apply our expertise to your project.

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Building a Ski Resort From Scratch

Chris Cushing, Director of Mountain Planning + Design, spoke with Blueprint, presented by CBRE about the nuanced and complex process of ski resort planning; especially when it involves a brand new ski area.

Click here to read the full article.