Last day at Stowe

Our last day at Stowe was awesome. We got to ride in the morning with Scott reeves, the vp of operations at the resort. Scott was taking runs with the north east bid representative about a snowmaking revitalization plan proposed to be taking place next season. We got to learn how guns are layed out on the hill depending on the trail usage and countour of the landscape. Proper snowmaking benefits managers and employees because good snow = more customers and more working hours and most importantly, more money for all. Guests can benefit because they are sliding on a good product that is being produced by state of the art snowmaking.

Friday and Saturday at Stowe

Friday our group worke with te lift staff. We went around and looked at several of the lifts including the new quad, midway gondola, and sensation triple. Wes and I worked a little bit over at the new quad helping with directing guest traffic through the gates in the lift line. We also got to see how the new RFID system works. The RFID system is pretty cool. Lift attendants are able to see each guests name, address, number and picture through the use of a tablet positioned inside a podeum right by the RFID gates. After the quad we took a trip over to the midway gondola to work with Kelly who was operating the lift that day. At the end of the day our whole group went over to spruce peak and met Geoff, a lift mechanic who services all of the lifts at spruce peak. Geoff took us up in the top thermal of a detach triple to show us how the lift works. Saturday I worked exclusively with Geoff. We went up into every loft terminal at Stowe. This experience was unreal. The repetition of seeing all of the terminals and drives really helped me get a better understanding of how a lift functions and the differences between brands. The mechanics behind how a lift works is truly amazing. It was a lot of information to take in for such a short amount of time. I learned about the differen types of lift sensors (brittle bars and cps sensors). I learned the differences between Poma and Dopameyer. Proper lift maintenance is essential for the survival of a ski resort. Lift mechanics have to be knowledgable of fixing and diagnosing problems with lifts. This benefits the employer and employee because the mountain is using safe lifts instead of unsafe ones. This helps reduce the risks associated with operating and riding a lift and also acts as a form of risk management and loss prevention. Guests benefit from properly maintained lifts because their safety is Garranteed while riding a lift at Stowe. Routine year round maintenance on lifts is key to preventing problems and mechanical failure associated with chair lifts.

2/4

Saturday I rode in a fleet groomer. It was one of the best experiences I've ever had at a ski resort. I have always wanted to ride and operate a groomer ever since I began teaching snowboarding many years ago. I rode in a Piston Bully 400 with Ed, the head groomer. Ed works just beneath Ted, the manager of grooming and snowmaking. Ed Showed me how the groomer operates and the different functions of the blade and tiller. Though I did not get to ride in the 600 winch, the 400 was good enough. I think I will go back to Stowe to do a full shift in the 600 soon. Pushing snow through the steeps is one of the most exhilarating feelings I have ever experienced. I am actually thinking about grooming next year at Stowe. Proper grooming techniques aid employees and managers because good snow quality= more lift tickets AND can all enjoy the snow! Guests benefit because they are able to enjoy good snow quality and will certainly come back for another visit!

Stowe 2/3

This past Friday I was able to meet and work with Ted, the director of snowmaking and grooming at Stowe. Stowe's snowmaking system is totally state of the art and is controlled mostly through the use of electronics and computers. A control room operator oversees the entire operation from a command post consisting of 6 computer screens and radios to communicate with on hill snowmaking staff. These computers control smi and tehnoalpine fan guns. These computers also control all compressor and valve functions for the entire operation. Though I didn't get to make snow, I was able to check out the entire operation from the command center, pump houses, compressors and snowmaking ponds. It is really important that a Ali resort produce good snow because that is what the guest wants. Employees and managers both benefit from good snow because it gives their mountain a good reputation and makes the entire staff feel good that they are producing a good product. The customer benefits by being able to enjoy good snow and pumps more money into the resort during their stay because of the good snow conditions.