Ski Area Blogging

How many ski areas have a blog? Seven Oaks of Iowa is the first one I have come across to have a blog. Granted, I haven’t been looking for ski area blogs, but still, it’s an interesting find. This particular site goes back to January 2007. Rick Bryan, the president of the area, writes the entries.

The blog is simple and uncluttered, so it’s easy on the eyes. During the season it’s a place to show off new photos from out on the hill, letting customers know that yes, there is snow out there. During the off season it has had updates on various elements of the area, such as the construction of a new lodge. Check it out right now and you’ll see photos of the work required to install a new lift.

For those who enjoy the terrain park–most likely a large portion of Seven Oaks’s customer base–the site provides updates on what features have been constructed. It’s a great way to connect with customers and would-be customers.

In addition to keeping local riders informed of recent developments and happenings on the hill, Bryan also uses the site to solicit comments from the public. For example, Seven Oaks periodically stays open until 1 a.m. Towards the end of this last season, Bryan used a couple of posts to ask people to make comments (in the “comments” section, naturally) about their interest in late-night riding.

I’m glad to see that a ski area uses blogging. If blogging isn’t killed off by social networking (MySpace, Facebook, etc.), perhaps more areas will use it as a marketing tool.