Instructor Newsletter
January 15, 2021

In this newsletter:

MLK Day | Training | Virtual Ski & Ride Trivia | Vote for Okemo's Snowmakers | Company News

MLK Weekend

The holidays and New Year are behind us and we're looking ahead to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and weekend from January 16 to 18. This January 18 is the 35th anniversary of the federal holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The holiday was signed into law in 1983 and first celebrated in 1986. Shared in this article is a brief history and reminder of the importance of MLK Day in 2021.

As we prepare for the long weekend, please continue to keep our safety guidelines and procedures top of mind each day. We must do our part to help slow the spread by physical distancing, washing hands, wearing masks, and staying home if we're sick. Help us ensure we stay open this season by completing your daily health screening, following the guidelines, and guiding guests on how to comply with our procedures. Thank you all for doing your part as a member of the Okemo Ski & Ride team to ensure we remain open for the whole season.

Training Information

More Training Pods Available

Due to popular demand, we have added another Blue Ski Pod Clinic on Thursdays and Blue Board Pod on Tuesdays starting this week. We also added a Green Board Pod mid-week on Tuesdays.

Milk Runs

A new perk to the job is early lift access! Join us for our Milk Runs for a chance to make some turns before the day starts! As long as the weather and conditions permit, ski patrol gives us clearance, and you're in uniform, you can join us for this light-focused clinic to start your day. Keep an eye on the training calendar for upcoming Milk Runs!

Uniform Policy in Training Clinics

Paid training is always in uniform.
If you are in an unpaid clinic you can be in uniform under the following specific conditions: you are rostered on for a day of work and have an upcoming lineup, for example, Milk Runs, or if you are asked to come back to the 1 pm line up.

Riding the Chairlift in Uniform

When riding the chairlift in uniform, please follow these guidelines.

You must keep two spaces between you and the nearest instructor and student unless for the following exceptions:
- If the student needs help getting on or off the lift and there is a safety concern.
- If you are teaching a student that is 6 or under, you must ALWAYS ride with them as our kids on lifts policy dictates.

Ski & Ride Virtual Trivia Night on 1/19

On Tuesday, January 19 at 6 PM, join us for a chance to see each other without masks from the safety of our own homes! Since we aren't able to gather in person this year, we're looking forward to enjoying some après with you virtually! Click the button below to join us on January 19 at 6 pm over Microsoft Teams.

Join on 1/19

Vote for Okemo's Snowmakers

Okemo's amazing crew of snowmakers are in the running as finalists in the "I AM a Snowmaker" contest run by Ski Area Management (SAM) magazine. You can cast your vote below.

Vote!

Epic Wellness Month

January is Epic Wellness Month. You okay? It’s okay to not be okay. 
We understand this time of year can be demanding – the winter season is in full swing and the days are short. Add in the additional stressors COVID-19 creates, and it can make any situation tough to handle. With that in mind, we want to feature our Epic Wellness: Mind resources for mental health.

Epic Wellness Resources

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

"An Oral History of the National Brotherhood of Skiers" from Outside Magazine

From Outside Magazine, "Since 1973, a groundbreaking organization has gathered thousands of Black snow-sports enthusiasts for a week of on-mountain revelry. But the event has always had a more serious mission, too: changing perceptions about who belongs on the slopes.

In June, Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz wrote an open letter to his employees, calling the ski world “overwhelmingly white, with incredibly low representation from people of color,” and pledging to change that. Currently, just 1.8 percent of American skier days are logged by Black people, according to the National Ski Areas Association. That number hasn’t risen in a decade."

Read the Article

EpicPromise Commitment to Zero: Our Responsibility

Climate change is one of the most serious challenges facing not only the ski industry, but the world. As a company that is rooted in the great outdoors, we have a special responsibility to protect our planet for future generations to come.

At Vail Resorts we believe the most significant opportunity to make a measurable impact on climate change exists within our own operations. We’re committed to being a leader in our industry and beyond through our Commitment to Zero sustainability goal, as well as pushing for collective participation through advocacy efforts. Below you can read more about our Zero Net Emissions goals.

Zero Net Emissions
- Our emissions objective remains steadfast: achieving zero net emissions by 2030 by developing and investing in renewable energy and reducing energy use through efficiency measures at our resorts.

- As part of this pillar, we’re committed to reaching 100 percent renewable electricity – one of the most impactful ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change.

- While renewable electricity is our biggest opportunity to reduce emissions, we are also investing $25 million to reduce our energy use in our operations through innovative energy efficiency measures.

Learn More

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77 Okemo Ridge Rd
Ludlow, VT | 05149 US

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Instructor Newsletter January 15, 2021