Many of us, myself included, think that once we communicate something that we don’t need to repeat ourselves. Once you have raised children you realize that this is not always the case. However, it is not only children who need clarity; repeating instructions or the why something has to be done, it is ourselves that […]
Medic52 helps with management and compliance demands on a mountain’s ski patrol. The web- and smartphone-based systems offer incident reporting and detailed analysis of incidents through trends and patterns. Other functions include stock management of medical drugs, rostering, training, asset management, and internal communication. The web-based dispatch system is designed for a patrol dispatcher to […]
Over the course of the last two months, I have had the pleasure of presenting at LMS and RMLA. The subject of my presentation was; Accountability in Maintenance. This was a training session for supervisors and managers in lift maintenance, both presentations were well attended and there was active engagement with those in attendance. The […]
Last month I wrote about the use of technology by the many manufacturers and suppliers of many of the tools used in the ski area industry as well as how many ski areas are utilizing technology in mountain operations. This post is an update on that theme being more specific in how to put the […]
The World Ski Patroller Survey was started in 2015 to learn more about you, the ski patroller. We were finding it difficult to learn more about ski patrollers around the world, there really isn’t much data about this special breed of human being in the public domain. So, in consultation with national and international ski […]
For those who read the Steep Newsletter regularly probably know my position of advocating for lift maintenance training within the industry. I have been neglectfully not to mention the great program that the Ski Areas of New York, SANY, launched five years ago. Six years ago SANY launched a multi-session lift maintenance program that has […]
When we think of mountain operations, we often don’t think of technology as being an important part of the myriad aspects that make everything run smoothly. As time has marched on technology has become a bigger and bigger part of mountain operations both directly and indirectly. From lifts to groomers and snowmaking, technology is an […]
As a former ski area part owner and executive I find myself conflicted with my thoughts about ski patrol. However, as a reasonably intelligent person (maybe some would disagree) I believe there is an argument to be made that some rethinking has to take place about the care and feeding of our ski patrollers. There […]
Ski Patrol
Nearing the end of the winter season now might be a good time to reflect on how you did in engaging your staff over the past winter. If you made an effort to reach out and work towards engagement, how did it go? If you didn’t reach out, how was your relationship with your staff? […]
This year’s NSAA Winter Trade Shows, East, and West, had an excellent session of looking at the future of lift maintenance. For those who have read previous Steep Newsletters know that I have advocated for some form of discussion relating to certification of lift mechanics in the USA. These sessions labeled, “Lift Maintenance Programs- Introducing […]
