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Instructor Newsletter
February 4, 2022
In this newsletter: February at Okemo: Director's Note | Lift Riding Safety | Products Update | PSIA Women's Summit 2022 | Company News: EpicPromise Commitment to Zero | Electronic Tax Documents | Last Chance: Continuous Listening Survey Due Today! | EpicPromise Mountain Madness Trivia on 2/9
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February at OkemoA Note from Steve
What a week it has been with a mix of sunny days sandwiched between two back-to-back weekend storms.
We haven’t had much time to rest this season as our midweek business has been strong and our weekend visitation has been higher than expected. I’m sure that trend will continue this weekend with the snow that’s currently falling. Our Presidents' Week holiday is only two weeks away, and although we could use more instructors daily, please put your health and safety first. Please work with your supervisor to schedule some rest days during this period if necessary. Especially full-time instructors. You deserve it!
This week marks the mid-point of the season and what a first half it’s been. We started the season by opening a week late due to lack of snow and warm temps and this trend continued through December. Fortunately, January provided much colder temps and we were able to make snow all across the mountain but we still had numerous weather events that impacted our business. We have only seen 64” of natural snowfall season to date but we currently have 101/122 trails open and we are positioned much better for the second half of the season. I feel we have made it through the toughest months, so let’s look forward to the remainder of the season.
It’s important to start the second half strong, team! Thanks for the dedication up to this point and for the incredible experiences you have delivered. We continue to see many positive comments from our guests and your managers are making sure this feedback reaches all of you.
- Steve, Director, Skier Services
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Lift Riding Safety
Lift Riding Safety: Entanglements getting on or off of our lifts have been our most common workplace injuries this season to date. These slow and often twisting falls tend to result in severe injury. Below are some tips to avoid them.
- With beginner students, take time to teach the lift riding lesson.
- Show them the process. Let your guest observe others riding the chair. Depending on your lesson location it could be done at the top, bottom, or both.
- Prepare your guests for what to expect and let them practice. This can be done on flat ground to teach how to shuffle, sit down, and stand up as if loading and unloading.
- Practice. Practice these skills a few times. Don’t rush to the lift.
- Communicate.
- Let those around you know the plan. What gate are you loading to on our 4-pack? When you are going to pull the bar down? What direction are you going when you unload?
- With those in your lesson provide the following information: when to shuffle to the load board, when to sit down, when to lower the bar, how to sit back in the chair, when the bar goes up, and when to stand and slide.
- Let them know to keep their skis or board straight. Reassure them that their speed will not get out of control and braking moves are unnecessary.
- Let your students learn on their own.
- If you have gone through all of the above steps thoroughly, you have given our guests the tools to succeed. Don’t make a rescue move. Let them fall if they are going to fall. This is part of the learning process.
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FYI: February Products Update
As we move into the month of February I wanted to let you know that some of our products are no longer available to book online. This is because we have reached what we are comfortable with for capacity. This is for both group lessons and privates. In February, privates are sold out for the 4th and 5th as well as the 14th and 15th.
For Presidents' Week, we are sold out for privates from the 19th until the 25th. We have taken steps to close inventories for group lessons as well. This is so that we can maintain the guest and employee experience. We realize that issues arise that prohibit staff from being able to work on days they are scheduled and by closing group lessons early we hope to preserve the experience.
This does mean that being able to fulfill request privates and those guests that wish to extend lessons for those time periods will be very challenging. We will try to accommodate these requests but it will not be likely. If you are in communication with guests please let them know that availability is non-existent and to look at booking another date.
Our goal is to provide the guest with the best possible experience as well as the staff. Thank you for all of your hard work this season.
- Chris, Sr. Manager, Ski & Ride School
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PSIA Women’s Summit 2022: Back On-Snow and in the East!
Complete with on-snow coaching, the chance to connect with other passionate sliders, and inspiring keynote speakers, this national event is not to be missed. What’s more, it’s happening right here in Vermont at Stowe, from February 27 through March 2! This is a unique opportunity to tackle the mountain with some of the best women in the business, including current and former PSIA National Team members. For more information and to register, visit the thesnowpros.org.
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Support the Gordon Robbins Memorial Scholarship Fund with Okemo SRS Logo Gear!
This week we launched our new store offering Okemo Ski & Ride logo gear. There are three items in the store and $5 of each purchase goes to the Gordon Robbins Memorial Scholarship Fund. These scholarships are for anyone looking to attend an educational event with PSIA/AASI. Gordon Robbins was a supporter of lifelong learning and was an inspiration to snowboarders of all ages and levels. To learn more about Gordon Robbins and the fund, visit here. The store will be open until Feb 15. All items will be purchased online and then a bulk order will be sent to us about 3 weeks after the order closes for distribution. Thank you for supporting the Gordon Robbins Scholarship Fund!
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EpicPromise Commitment to Zero
Piloting the Helly Hansen & Vail Resorts Upcycled Collection
Through a new pilot program between Vail Resorts and longstanding partner Helly Hansen, decommissioned uniforms worn by trusted ski patrollers, lift operators, and instructors will take on new life this season. In support of Vail Resorts’ Commitment to Zero—achieving a zero net operating footprint by 2030, including zero waste to landfill—this professional-grade gear has been repurposed into tote bags, goggle cases, backpacks, and sport bags that can be used for many, many more seasons to come.
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Go Paperless! Download Tax Documents from EpicEmployee
All staff W-2s are available starting after January 31, 2022. Go paperless and download yours today from EpicEmployee! If you elected to have paper copies of your documents, they have been mailed and will arrive to you shortly, if not already.
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Last Chance: Complete your Continuous Listening Survey Before 2/4.
The Continuous Listening Survey is open to seasonal employees and we encourage you to participate by responding before the deadline today with your honest feedback. You received an email from survey@glintinc.com and a notification in EpicEmployee.
This is your chance to share your voice with us and the team at Vail Resorts. Survey data will be used locally and enterprise-wide to implement impactful actions and changes. We look forward to your feedback.
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EpicPromise Mountain Madness - Okemo vs. Stowe!
Represent Okemo in Vail Resorts’ second annual Mountain Madness trivia tournament! Get competitive and join in the fun of this virtual trivia tournament.
Every location gets to play at least 3 games, which includes an East vs. West match at the end of the tournament.
In round one we’re taking on Stowe. If we win, we’ll progress to the next round! If we do not win this first round, don’t worry, we will still have a chance to play and possibly win the Bragger’s Bracket!
Round One
Wednesday, February 9
5:30 PM EST
Okemo vs. Stowe
The winning location of the Champions Bracket not only receives bragging rights but will receive a banner to proudly display around their mountain and a trophy!
No pre-registration is necessary; we will provide a game link and tips for gameplay ahead of the event.
Let's go Okemo!
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