May 08, 2016 (Woodstock, Vermont) – The Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA) concluded a successful 2016 Annual Conference hosted by Snow Mountain Ranch, CO, with emphasis on grooming technique and hospitality. New this year were individually scheduled 1 on 1 sessions with key presenters in all areas of the conference including snowcat and light implement grooming, customer satisfaction, loyalty programing and digital website review.

The CCSAA Board of Directors identified the need to provide on-going educational workshops for their membership and restructured the event to include hands on programming in both the grooming and marketing aspects.

“The annual CCSAA Conference has become a staple in the professional development of our program,” said Austin Weiss, City of Aspen. “The time spent with industry professionals and cross country ski resort colleagues is an invaluable opportunity to compare notes and use as a sounding board for many shared ideas.  Each year I walk away from the conference knowing it was money and time well spent.”

Grooming suppliers in attendance included Pisten Bully, Prinoth, Tidd Tech and Yellowstone Track Systems. During the on-trail section of the Conference, there were three snow cats running continuously allowing attendees to operate the machines while master groomers sat alongside sharing tips. A similar situation occurred with the light grooming implements where Gators, Grizzlys and snowmobiles were present to drag the various follow-behind equipment.

“Most events I attend give you about 10 minutes in a snow cat, here I was able to spend an hour in the driver’s seat with an expert answering questions and learning skills,” said Brian Long, Aspen Groomer, “I don’t get that opportunity anywhere else.”

The indoor sessions included grooming theory and snow science, hospitality presentations and forums, online marketing and a discussion on the guest experience. Grey Suit Retail presented on Online Marketing and Web Design and followed up with 20 minute 1 on 1 sessions to review the attendee’s actual website. Guest Research led a lively discussion around the differences between guest satisfaction and guest loyalty.

“The agenda was packed with great information,” said Nate Harvey, Great Glen Trails, “Designated times for networking, open air talks during after hours, private sessions with the exhibitors, and lots of choices for in-conference programs.”

The Conference concluded with Keynote speaker Liz Stephen, two time Olympian and member of the US Ski Team. She discussed the importance of family and her home ski area support while on the road in Europe for five months each season.

Sponsors of the event included: Aurora Insurance, Pisten Bully, Rossignol, HKD Snowmakers and Grey Suit Retail.

For more information, please contact CCSAA at 802-236-3021 or reese@xcski.org. Image bank may be found here.

Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA) is a national, non-profit trade association for cross country ski areas, helping to promote the growth and improve the quality of cross country ski operations in North America.