2pm Deadline with feedback
2pm Deadline with feedback
Edition #3, October 2nd, 2026
In This Newsletter:
  • Title Changes
  • Training Updates
  • Preboarding Tasks
  • Housing
  WB SNOW SCHOOL TEAM 
Hello all,
As the calendar creeps into October and we start to see dustings of snow on the peaks, our leadership team is hard at work to prepare for the season ahead. My first few weeks have been filled with planning sessions and meetings around all things Snow School and I am continuously impressed by the knowledge, expertise and love of the sport that everyone demonstrates. As some of you already know, we have shifted the naming structure for some of our leadership positions to align across all resorts and departments. Hopefully, a quick explanation will help. 
Our team of Manager’s and Assistant Manager- Product Manager’s are in the office now, while Assistant Managers (formerly known as Supervisors) will return to work November 1st. We will be sharing details of who will be overseeing each department in a few weeks time as well as further details for onboarding, uniforms, pay, and all the other critical information you will need to have a great season. For now, if you have any questions or need support in preparing for the season, please contact your Manager or Assistant Manager-Product Manager. See the contact list below.
All the best as you prepare for the season ahead.

Omer Dagan
Sr. Manager of Children's Program
Training Updates: 
Dryland Training:

If you are looking for a preseason dryland program, the SKIRAD exercises by Back in Action are good ones to get you ready for the season. 
https://backinactionphysiotherapy.com/resources/ski-rad/

New Staff Mandatory Training:

Welcome new hires! Please watch your inboxes for an email from the training team (sending out later this week and into next week). We'll be sending you dates to pick from for your classroom and on snow training.

There are 4 in person training sessions that you need to complete as part of your mandatory training:

 Welcome to Winter - 2 hour walking tour and trade show
Snow School Orientation - 2 hour indoor session 
Operations & Safety Training - 6 hour on snow session with your supervisor
Instructor Skills Training - 6 hour on snow session with an experience trainer

More information on these sessions can be found on our snow school website: https://www.wbsnowandbikeschool.ca/preseason-training

Return Staff Training:

Howdy return staff. We're pretty stoked to have you back and look forward to seeing you at training. We'll have a few sessions organized for you:

Return to Winter - Not mandatory, but you are welcome to sign up for a 2 hour R2W session that is hosted by the mountain's Senior Leadership Team. Sign up and information will be in flaik in the coming weeks.

Snow School Orientation - This one is mandatory for all staff. There will be 4 sessions to choose from. It will be 2 hours and we'll offer 3 in person and 1 online event. Sign up will be in flaik. 

Return Staff Training - This can be on snow, in person or online and will vary in length from pod to pod. Your supervisor will reach out in early to mid November with RST dates and information.

Online Mandatory Training:

All mandatory training will be assigned to you once you are hired. You will receive an email that will send you to the "Lift" training platform.

The amount of online training you need to complete is different for each person. Please complete this training before your first day of work.

Elective Online Training:

Online training opportunities are going on 3 nights a week. 
Hosted by our friends at Keystone and BeaverCreek, they are a great way to get the brain turned on for winter!
--- Summer Training Newsletter

CASI Snowboard Courses:

For those booking CASI courses this season - take advantage of this offer!
CASI has a resort support voucher for 40% and CASI course! Note that it needs to be entered at checkout.

There is a limited amount so use it early! 

CODE -   WHI_RS2627_qkA_3103

That's it for now!
See you out there in the trails!

Tracey Fraser (she/hers)
Training Manager 
Preboarding Tasks:

To process everyone’s hiring we will need all preboarding tasks completed. On your requests, you can verify that these have been completed by looking for the 3 checkmarks. Please see image below - 
Important: If you are not currently employed by Whistler Blackcomb, you must select ‘Not Yet’ for an active @VailResorts login ID and then use your personal email address, not your Vail Resorts credentials. 
If you successfully log in to Epic Employee but do not see a returner offer letter under My Requests, please contact Lucie Bishop at lbishop@vailresorts.com and she will provide next steps.
Housing:
All full-time employees are eligible to apply for employee housing via Star Rez
https://vailresorts.starrezhousing.com/StarRezPortal/ 
Due to high demand for employee housing, a waitlist is in effect. We will continue to work through the waitlist as beds become available.
At this time, we are unable to predict when a housing space may become available, and we expect the waitlist to remain in place throughout the winter season. Therefore, we will be unable to give information on how long your application may be waitlisted. To ensure you have accommodation for the winter, we encourage all waitlisted instructors to explore and arrange alternative housing options. 
Housing and community resources: 
Human Resources - Housing and Community Resources

Submit your Certifications:
New Instructors:
Please send all certifications to WBSSPay@vailresorts.com.
New hires will be paid at $20/hour until certifications are received and verified.
Returning Instructors:
If you earned a new certification since last season, please send it to WBSSPay@vailresorts.com so we can update your profile.
For submission instructions, please review the 2025/26 Compensation Plan: 
The 2026/27 Compensation Plan will be posted closer to the start of the winter season.
Your Snow School Managment Team:

Tracey Fraser
Training Manager 
tfraser@vailresorts.com

Carla Areny
Blackcomb Privates Manager
careny@vailresorts.com

Paul Sauve
Adult Group Lessons Manager
psauve@vailresorts.com

Nathan Steele
Specialty Programs Manager
nathan.c.steele@vailresorts.com

Dick Nott 
Whistler Kids Manager Creekside 
rpnott@vailresorts.com
Richard Quirk
Manager Development & Comp & Adult Programs  
richard.quirk@vailresorts.com

Paul Shimizu
Whistler Village Manager
pshimizu@vailresorts.com

Sarah Harrison
Blackcomb Base Manager 
sbharrison@vailresorts.com
Leila Phillipson
Snow School Product Manager | Whistler Kids – Base II Programs
leila.phillipson@vailresorts.com 

Marie Claude Baron
Product Manager Scheduling
marieclaude.baron@vailresorts.com
Previous Newsletters - 

Newsletter #1
Newsletter #2
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