CARRABASSETT, Maine ??” Bill Swain, Communications Manager for Sugarloaf/USA in Carrabassett, Maine, took the AlpineZone Ski Area Challenge and provided his responses today. The AlpineZone Ski Area Challenge was designed to provide a method for Internet-savvy skiing enthusiasts to directly ask specific questions of Northeast ski area representatives.

The program has been effective in dispelling rumors and myths that plague the industry amongst its patrons, while giving consumers a sense of the challenges involved with ski area marketing and operations. Northeast ski area managers previously seemed unaware of the valuable resource at their disposal in the various online skiing communities that are literally filled with passionate members anxious to ask questions and provide feedback. Consumer responses to detailed, specific questions are not easily achieved by emailing the mountain or by visiting their guest services counters.

The complete Sugarloaf/USA Q&A session can be found at skiing.alpinezone.com/articles/challenge/2005/response.htm?resort=sugarloaf. All questions and responses posted to date may be viewed online at skiing.alpinezone.com/articles/challenge/.