Things are great in LO. Morale is high. I am happy and I feel taken care of. The BBQ last week was great. Thanks Cody for coming in on his day off to make sure it happened. We seem to have settled into our groove and the stoke is high.
Thank you for the feedback. I too have noticed that everyone has seemed very happy lately. I hope to keep it that way. I am working with several employees to find ways that we can improve wellness in LOPS. I encourage people to email thoughts or ideas to cody.howe@skihood.com so that we can make our department even better. Glad you liked the BBQ, Apple Valley never disappoints.
–Cody
It seems that often times in the mornings when getting all of the required materials an OIC needs everyday, (drill batteries, tablets, paperwork”
The last couple OIC’s end up with no batteries because MHC and BCP have each taken 2 drill batteries and 3 tablet batteries apiece.
I have been able to OIC mhx and redo the setup mid morning because belle didn’t like it, all on a single drill battery.
And I’ve never needed more than 2 tablet batteries. Even if both die, you’ve got a charger on site to charge one with and it’s possible to watch gates with the tablet inside charging.
We need a better battery management system because the whole “walk in and grab what you think you need” is not working.
More batteries, or a better solution would be to leave the battery and chargers at the lifts. I’ve been told that in years past there’s been theft issues, however, you’re already leaving the drills without them being stolen so addin the battery and charger isn’t going to change much. We did this at timberline and didn’t lose a single drill in 4 years. And everyone always had a charged drill.
I hate being unprepared because someone thinks they need 2 drill batteries to make 12 holes.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We will also start talking about this in the morning meetings. I also ordered more tablet batteries and am hoping to replace a number of our drills this summer which should help the current issues we are having. I like the idea of putting the tablet battery chargers at the lifts but I am afraid that with that will come with a lack of accountability for the batteries. I will consider this and talk to the crew and see how they feel about it.
–Cody
Cement or asphalt between the snouts on the lodge for easier snow removal
Two reasons not to do this:
1. The existing dirt surface allows water to infiltrate into the ground, covering dirt with an impervious surface would increase storm water runoff from the parking lot.
2. In summer these areas contain native vegetation including wildflowers – more attractive than asphalt. We could do a better job of maintaining these gardens though.
Thanks,
Steve Warila
Vice President of Mountain Operations and Planning
Clocks, clocks, clocks!! I have really appreciated the effort in having clocks at the top and bottom of all lifts as it is uber helpful for me if I have a class or just tracking the time so I can get to my shift at the right time. Yea, everyone has a phone these days, but having those awesome green digital clocks at the top and bottom and SUPER helpful. I would rather focus on my students and not have to keep grabbing my phone to check on the time. Please work toward having these on all lifts and make sure the folks keep them facing toward the lifts and in working order (on Ballroom too!). Thanks for listening.
Yes, the clocks are helpful. I also recently started wearing a watch again ($5 version), because pulling out my phone is also a hassle. I also check the RFID gate when I go through as when my pass scans it shows the time at the gate.
Tyler
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Tyler Barnes
Learning Center Operations Manager
tyler.barnes@skihood.com
O: (503) 337-2222 ext.1276
I feel that a small smoking building that has a bench to sit on would be amazing for those of us that smoke and are on break... so that we can sit and be safe from the weather.
A complete revamping of the Nordic department would be helpful.
Are there specific things that need to be changed that you could share? I personally have thought Debbie is doing a great job this season.
-Jeremy Riss
Charge more money for MLC Programs on Sunday and less on Saturday.
Thanks for keeping the survey anonymous.
We did take measures to direct guests to Saturday vs. Sunday, and did charge more for Sundays which incentivized Saturdays. Historically Sundays have always been much busier in February than Saturdays as it seems that many guests choose Sunday because on Saturday kids participate in other sports / activities. We do "cap" signups to prevent over selling. Our biggest hurdles are lodge space and instructors calling in sick, missed the bus, etc. making for challenging class sizes.
Tyler
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Tyler Barnes
Learning Center Operations Manager
tyler.barnes@skihood.com
O: (503) 337-2222 ext.1276
So far loving my job up here! People are fun and management actually cares!!!!
However the safety report cards just add so much unnecessary stress, mainly because the lift I'm at doesn't get enough staffing to just stand around watching my operator to fill out a piece of paper. There is a lot of work to be done, shovel projects, ramp work, helping guess, cleaning, etc. Worrying about a safety report cards and risking loosing my pass isn't fun at all. Maybe change it to bi-weekly requirement over weekly and not so rushed? 5 days goes by so quickly especially Friday through Sunday when we're so busy and focused on guests.
Thank you for the feedback, we really appreciate it. I am not against a bi-weekly program, especially when it is busy. I will talk about it with the management team this week and see how it will look if we roll this out.
–Cody
What's the deal with the new uniform/laundry rules and F&B department this season?
1) Theres no apron exchange this year. Were only allowed one apron each, were not supposed to take them home per the employee handbook, and most of us work 4+ days a week. In past years we could exchange our dirty aprons for clean ones at laundry but we can't this year for reasons that even the very awesome laundry folks can't tell me. Now i have to do laundry every night or aquire more aprons against department policy. What gives? This seems like an easy fix, there seems like no shortage of new aprons to give to new hires.
2) F&B is banned from using the new uniforms or any of the Helly Hanson jackets apparently? I've served outside 3 times this year and whenever I ask for a jacket i get handed a stained 2 or 3 year old fleece and told that was my only option. Which is a little weird when I'm in laundry and I look up and see a hanging plethora of types of company clothing I've used in last years. Last year I used the new HH vests and 2 seasons ago I could use the same red jackets I've seen concierge use but this year I'm told to use stained or ill fitting company clothing or i have to choose to be cold and presentable? Our department makes the most revenue for the company outside of passholder sales but now I can't look presentable to my guests on the ( admittedly few) days i serve outside because now there's a fear of washing jackets that (((might))) have a food or beer stain on them? Isn't that the whole point of having an in house laundry service? This isn't a huge issue now but I'm predicting that in the spring time that will change when more of us are outside. This just seems like such a wierd shift from the many past seasons I've worked up here and it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
This isn't anything against the super nice and amazing lady whose ive senn working in laundry by the way, as far as I know these are decisions that are made by people above her.
Thanks in advance,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. F&B is happy to supply extra aprons to Uniforms/Laundry so there will be plenty available for team members to exchange.
Food & Beverage and Uniforms have discussed the day check-out options. It has been decided the Helly Hansen soft shell jackets will be the standard issue to F&B team members for day check-out when needed moving forward. If you do require an additional layer, you are also welcome to check out the Helly Hansen shell for the day. Currently, we do not have enough inventory of the black vests to outfit the food & beverage team, however we will revisit the available inventory next fall to determine if the inventory allows for daily check out of vests when needed to front of the house restaurant staff.
-Caitlin Melanson & Lara Yeats