PRESIDENT’S LETTER

December, 2009

Greetings From Your ISHA President:

This letter is the first of a continuing series which will be part of ISHA’s enhanced skiinghistory org web site.

If you are reading this letter, you have just come from our new home page. We have adopted an exciting new look that is pleasing to the eye and provides for easy navigation through the site.

A historical video piece welcomes you at top center.

The left hand column is the point of entry to the rich body of historical information on the site. It is the entry point for our popular Ski History Forum. The top left is our text search tool to help you get to specific topics of interest.

The second column features current news items of historical interest.

The third column leads with Google Books. A click on this icon takes you to the digitized, searchable archives of all back issues of SKIING HERITAGE which can be read on line.

The fourth column is where you can find special offers on ISHA membership. It also contains a substantial amount of information on us, including our mission statement and programs, how you can join ISHA and subscribe to HERITAGE, your donation opportunities in support of our mission, our corporate sponsors and partners, and upcoming events.

As I write this letter, the 2009-2010 ski season is underway. Manmade snow is being enhanced by the first major storms of the season. The consumer ski shows have come and gone. The annual Warren Miller film spectacular is nearing the end of its nationwide run. Ski resorts and hardgoods and softgoods companies are competing for consumer dollars in an economic environment that continues to challenge. Ski areas are offering free early season skiing with overnight stays. Hot new ski technologies are attracting buyers, even as deep discounts remain in effect through the holiday season.

In the Rocky Mountain West, we have seen the Ski Train to Winter Park shut down and restart under new ownership and management. We are all pleased that this historical gem is going to make a comeback! The purchase of Intrawest’s Copper Mountain by Powdr Corporation signals the continuing financial challenges facing the major resort operators.

As Colorado looks forward to the only men’s World Cup race in the U.S., the Birds of Prey Downhill at Beaver Creek in early December, we all look ahead to the Winter Olympics at Whistler-Blackcomb in February. Along with women’s World Cup events in Aspen, we await the accomplishments of athletes that will add to the history of the sport.

Enjoy our enhanced web site. If you haven’t already, join ISHA and subscribe to SKIING HERITAGE JOURNAL, and consider spending a week with us in Utah at Skiing Heritage Week 2010 (March 22 – 27).

Finally, have a great season on the slopes. As Stu Campbell once said, “Every turn you make is good for the soul.”

With best regards,

Dean Ericson

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