Utah’s Snowbasin Resort has named Andrew Barfield as its new Snow Sports Director.

Things are literally “shaping up” for the ski season at Aspen and several other resorts. Employees are getting ready for newly required fitness tests that start Oct. 1.

Sugarbush Resort has invested over $4.5 million on improvements this summer in preparation for the upcoming winter.

Wachusett Mountain was the scene of a Hollywood movie production this week as the crew for the upcoming drama Sea of Trees were on hand for a day-long location shoot. 

Visiting Northwest Montana in the winter just got a little easier with the addition of a new Saturday nonstop service from Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) to Glacier Park International (FCA). The Glacier Airline Enhancement and Retention Outreach committee (Glacier AERO), a group of local business and tourism leaders, raised $240,000 for a revenue guarantee to secure the new Chicago flight. 

It's an expansion year for Windham Mountain Resort in New York’s Catskill Mountains as Chip Seamans, resort president and general manager announced $4.2 million in improvements. It’s the second consecutive year of capital infusions.

Sunday River Resort skiers and riders will benefit from $5 million in capital improvements for the 2014-15 winter. Parent company Boyne Resorts will have invested more than $40 million in the Newry, Maine resort since 2007. Here’s what’s on tap:

Mackinac Island has long been one of the Great Lakes most recognized vacation destinations. Conde Nast Traveler calls it “One of the top 10 islands destinations in the world.”  

Taos Ski Valley has named Jesse Keaveny as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Keaveny will be responsible for helping design and execute the strategic vision and growth of the resort, including the opening of the new Kachina Peak lift this winter season, as well as helping draw additional attractions, events and visitors to Taos Ski Valley throughout the year.

Waterville Valley Resort and the Waterville Valley Black and Blue Trail Smashers (WVBBTS) / Snowsports Educational Foundationhave announced a joint project that is expected to yield significant upgrades in snowmaking for the 2014/15 season. T

It’s 50 years for Camelback in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. The resort reports a sprawling 533,000 square foot Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia indoor water park at the base will be open by March 2015.

New Hampshire ski areas continue to move forward after enjoying the sixth best ski season on record. This summer brought a lengthy list of capital improvements and news from across the state with new lifts, trails and glades being cut, extensive snowmaking improvements, and other additions. 

Sugarbush Resort has announced several changes to its senior management team. Candice White, who has served as Vice President of Marketing for the past six years, is stepping into a newly-created role as Vice President of Communications and Brand Management. White will continue to be responsible for the Sugarbush brand, will oversee all resort communications and press relations, and will continue to oversee guest services.  She will also work to develop several strategic partnerships for the Resort.

Ted Fisher of Charlotte, Vermont, has accepted the new position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing.  He is a graduate of the University of Vermont where he earned a BA in History and Economics. Fisher’s prior experience includes serving as Marketing & Sales Director for Kilawatt Technologies, Marketing and Public Relations Director for Burlington City Arts, Sales Manager for Gardener’s Supply, and Vice President/Regional Sales Manager for Vermont Federal Bank.  Early in his career, Fisher worked at Killington Resort,  and he and his family have been avid Sugarbush skiers for over two decades.

John Hammond, currently Vice President of Mountain Operations, will take on the additional responsibility of overseeing the resort’s winter rental and repair operation.

Jim Westhelle, Vice President of Lodging and Facilities, will assume the additional responsibility of overseeing future real estate development. Westhelle was instrumental in finalizing the resort’s most recent Rice Brook Residences project, which has sold fourteen of fifteen homes. He, along with local architecture firm The Design Group, is leading the early planning phase for the next development project which will be located adjacent to Rice Brook.

Win Smith, president and majority owner of the resort, says of the changes, “I have the strongest team I’ve ever had at Sugarbush—from the executives right down to the hourly wage earners--and it’s great to be able to promote my team and watch them grow and succeed. Ted Fisher will be a great addition to the existing team, and I look forward to his arrival.”

Photo: Candice White new Sugarbush VP of Communication and brand Management at Sugarbush (Sugarbush Resort)

Midwestern shredders will want to check out the new summer and fallTreetops snowboard and freestyle camps taking place in northern Michigan.

Rob Bevier has been named Loon Mountain’s new Snowsports Director. Bevier comes to Loon from Okemo Mountain Resort, where he has worked since 1991 - most recently as Assistant Director for the resort’s Ski and Ride School. 

How would you like to ski, ride and stride all over Michigan this winter every day of the season for just $550? 

Okemo Mountain Resort’s Operation Snowburst returns for a second season of snowmaking improvements to include the addition of 100 new, energy-efficient tower guns.

Several Heartland ski areas allow mountain biking on their summer slopes, but if you’re looking for lift served riding, there are four choices.