Just finished reading "Downhill Slide : Why the Corporate Ski Industry Is Bad for Skiing, Ski Towns, and the Environment" by Hal Clifford. The title pretty much says it all. It's a well researched book that talks about how companies like Intrawest(owners of numberous places such as Whistler, Stratton, Blue Mountain, Snowshoe, and Mountain Creek), Vail Resorts, and American Ski Company affect the enviroment and small towns near the resports themselves and how they end up hurting skiing and riding as a whole in the process. It's definately making me think about what mountains my money and teaching skills are going to next season and why I'll continue to avoid resorts for the smaller, independent areas.
James