Good ol’ Webster defines authentic as “conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features.” Authenticity comes from doing something in a way that fits a tradition and a source. Italian food is more and more authentic the close the ingredients and chefs get to the source and style Italians use.

That’s why an authentic Parisian experience isn’t found from your seat on a tour bus because that’s not how locals – the standard for authentic – experience it.

Skiing?
So what makes an authentic skiing experience at your resort? I think the skiers do. Your guests, by coming and skiing for the last many decades have created a standard for what is authentic.

Is your print ad of a skier dropping into an untouched bowl authentic? For most resorts, probably not though a select few might manage to have that experience. When it comes to “conforming to the original,” what better way to show the real deal than to let the skiers do it for you.

This is exactly why I love Jay Peak’s Moment{us} user-generated story campaign.

Real People, Real Moments
So far, with just a “share and you may win” call to action, there have been close to 200 submissions.

They are completely awesome to read. Short, quick stories and memories from the mountain. Stop reading, take a gander, and be impressed. These are real, authentic Jay Peak experiences. Not clever copy, fancy design, or promotional jargon to get in the way.
http://www.jaypeakresort.com/moments

About Gregg & SlopeFillers
I've had more first-time visitors lately, so adding a quick "about" section. I started SlopeFillers in 2010 with the simple goal of sharing great resort marketing strategies. Today I run marketing for resort ecommerce and CRM provider Inntopia, my home mountain is the lovely Nordic Valley, and my favorite marketing campaign remains the Ski Utah TV show that sold me on skiing as a kid in the 90s.