My suggestion is to focus on child enjoyment of the CLC from the minute they walk in. Often, a staff member walks them in with their basket, sets it down, and then the child is left on their own. Many times I see very young children in tears or bored or nervous. During this time, instructors are in morning meeting or checking schedules - not available for the kids. If a child is engaged from that 8:30-9:30 time frame, they are much more likely to continue that good experience out on the mountain (and want to come back)! Many kids on the lower range of ages are still dealing with separation anxiety. I would recommend a few staff people be dedicated to engaging the children from that 830 to 930 time frame in the CLC. That could be a group game like red light-green light or even a dance party if we brought in a Bluetooth speaker. I even thought about a TV and DVD that could be playing either ski movies or Wild Planet shows. These are just a few ideas but hoping for more structure and engagement in that first hour when the kids are with us. I’ve calmed several crying children in that first hour and was surprised that no one else was helping or even noticed.
I totally agree that kids should be having a great time from the moment they walk into the CLC. I know that we have been sharing this expectation at morning meetings in the CLC and we all need to be held accountable to this expectation. If you see kids alone and you can't engage them yourself, then let the supervisor know your observations so we can help. I also agree that younger kids who are not used to being away from parents need extra support - kids 6 and under fall into this category and we need to spend time with them - thank you again for sharing these thoughts. It saddens me that kids would be crying in the CLC and I so appreciate you taking the time to calm them and get them re-engaged in a positive way. I appreciate all these suggestions - they're great. Let's see what we can do to make the experience for kids that much better! - Tyler Barnes, Learning Center Operations Manager
I've read that there is no uphill hiking within resort boundaries except designated uphill travel routes. Where are these designated uphill travel routes?
To better understand the rules I'd like to know if people are allowed to walk up Ballroom terrain instead of purchasing a ticket? I wouldn't feel comfortable calling someone out for it (as I would probably do the same), I'm just curious.
I saw on the website there is a ticket for ballroom and fun zone access. I was under the impression guests didn't have to pay for fun zone access. I'm pretty sure most guests are under that impression as it does get really congested with non-CLC people.
Ballroom carpet:
Parents may walk up next to their child on the carpet but not ride on the belt. They do not need a ticket for that. Ballroom carpet tickets are $12. I just checked the website and realized what you meant by “Ballroom Carpet and Funzone” There used to be only one “Funzone” and it was adjacent to the Ballroom now we have three. That reference has been removed from the ticket description.
Designated hiking routes are:
1. Heather Canyon Runout - Proceed uphill from the Hood River Meadows Parking Lot to the first sign just below Gods Wall. If the sign is CLOSED exit the Mt. Hood Meadows Permit Area towards the Newton Drainage. Please do not travel farther uphill on the Heather Canyon Runout.
If the sign is OPEN continue traveling uphill on the Heather Canyon Runout to the CLOSED sign directly adjacent to the bottom of the Heather Canyon Chairlift. Turn right exiting the Mt. Hood Meadows Permit Area towards the Newton drainage.
2. South Boundary - From the main parking lot proceed uphill toward the bottom of the Vista Chairlift. Turn left at the bottom of Vista exiting the Mt. Hood Meadows Permit Area.
Uphill Travel Prohibition
Mt Hood Meadows generally prohibits uphill travel within our ski area.
Specific exceptions exist for:
• Backcountry users who desire to access the wilderness areas adjacent to the ski resort may use the MHM parking lots and need to follow the designated hiking routes that run just outside of our ski area boundaries.
• When open, hiking to Superbowl requires a partner, avalanche rescue gear (transceiver, shovel, probe) and a check-in with Patrol at the top of Cascade Express.
• Event and competition spectators choosing to hike to Easy Rider area venues: Banked Slalom, Fireweed, Shipyard and Half Pipe.
All uphill travelers must:
• Be aware of the hazards inherent in the alpine environment and the ski resort setting
• Take precautions to remain visible to downhill skiers and riders at all time
• Use appropriate footwear or traction devices for safe travel over variable winter surfaces including snow and ice.
-Mel Toney
Please add a rope on Ballroom Carpet opposite of the carpet, where the rolling hills were last year. It's pretty easy for a guest to lose control and go over that edge.
With more snow, do we plan on creating those rolling hills again?
Thank you to the grooming team for your efforts! Thanks to the crew who spent their evening deicing the carpet on Saturday!
Garrett Hemmer, the awesome Park Groomer who has been building and maintaining the learning terrain at Ballroom and Buttercup Fun Zones has been pushing snow into the creek on that side as well as creating a berm to help prevent skiers and snowboarders from accidentally going into that area. In the past I believe Patrol managed a rope line along the creek. A rope line will indicate a closed area but would not prevent guests from accidentally going into that area. We have some more red fencing on order and perhaps adding a section along that edge would help prevent guests from accidentally skiing or riding into that area. Thanks for the suggestion. - Tyler Barnes, Learning Center Operations Manager
It's great that we're trying to make the fun zone more fun by adding a fort and mascot, however, the location seems to be more dangerous for everyone. The hill from the top of the first Magic Carpet towards the fort is the lowest grade so I generally start kiddos on that one. There are now more kids, CLC and general guests, playing in the snow at the fort which is hazardous. I find myself running to block any bystander from getting hit by a kid taking a lesson. Some parents think it's a great idea to leave their baby sitting in the snow at the bottom of any of the hills. Should we put signs up saying "learning in progress, Caution", or "keep clear?"
The fun zone gets really crowded by other guests using it. Often times cutting in line or getting in the way of the lesson that parents pay for.
Also, this year more than last year, I've noticed parents coming in during the lesson to check in on kids, often times resulting in the kid crying because they didn't want to be there in the first place. Just so I know, is this something we encourage parents to do? It's a distraction and also adds to the congestion but if it's something we encourage then I'll just go with the flow.
BIG shout out to the guys running fun zone!! Thank you so much for the shoveling, deicing, your assistance with kids getting off the carpet and going above and beyond!
Yes, the Fun Zone got a huge makeover for this season and we can see the impact of it! Kids and parents are drawn to this area like never before. It's so great to see parents and kids having fun in the Kids Fun Zone! I also agree that the slope from the top of the carpet closest to the lodge heading down to the back of the fort is the best slope for first glides. Yes, I agree on those peak days we need to do a better job of alerting parents that this is a ski/snowboard learning area and to "play" over here or over there. Sledding down the hill on the red chairs has been stopped by tethering them to the ground, but kids and parents do some amazing things, like sledding in the foam blocks used for the puzzles - who would've thought? The Fun Zone is open to all guests, not just lesson guests. As for parents checking on kids, we need to do a better job of communicating expectations to parents about NOT "checking in" on their kids during class time - just like in school. I know that we have stated multiple times to observe from 20+ yards away, but ask that they NOT come closer due to the reasons you have shared. We all have been in that situation where a parent "checks in" and the student then melts down - not a good situation whatsoever for the parent, child or instructor. I'll reiterate the importance of this soft policy and be sure that our team who are in a position to communicate this do so - like at the check in desk. I also wonder if we can communicate some best practices to parents via email, as a good deal of these reservations are being made on the Skihood.com website. Thanks for the great comments to help us create a better experience for everyone - instructors, kids and parents! - Tyler Barnes, Learning Center Operations Manager
It would be nice to know the response to a few comments posted by team members.
1) Did that employee ever get a buddy pass for being stuck on the chair?
2) A response regarding the comment about adult lineup organization would be nice because I have the same concerns.
Thank you for the time spent reading comments and responding.
1) Yes.
2) I'd really appreciate your additional suggestions on how we can improve the Adult Lineup. I did share some operational struggles in my response to the previous comment. Let's make it better for all which starts with your suggestions. I really appreciate them!
-Tyler Barnes, Learning Center Operations Manager
Maybe if we learn to stop telling people to, “get out” and that their unsuccessful we won’t have to have job fairs in January.
Termination should not be taken lightly. With the leader training courses that have been offered on motivation, coaching, correction and recently the 4 choices, telling/inviting someone to get out is not an appropriate first option for managers. However, if someone is exhibiting an unwillingness to participate in our mountain home (not living by the Core Values, etc) then they are potentially driving good people out of the organization, or at least hurting others capacity to be successful. I consistently hear team members say they would rather work short staffed than be around those who drag the team down and are not willing to change. If you specifically know a manager who is skipping ahead to the "get out" choice for people who you think could otherwise be successful here, I encourage you to deliver that feedback to them.
- Matt Troskey
The Fireweed Mini Pipe & Mitchell Creek intersection is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS for guests AND EMPLOYEES, especially those of us required to stand in that zone.
While I appreciate this feedback, Safety Concerns like this should be brought directly to your supervisor or manager. While this is indeed a busy intersection, like many others here, that is more crowded than before the MiniPipe and Banked Slalom were built to meet OISA requests, many of us have tactics to monitor this zone safely. As a mountain ops team, we have managed this intersection in its current configuration for two or three years now without major incident. We have specific tactics for remaining safe while monitoring this intersection. This intersection, and Host tactics for monitoring it, will be a morning meeting topic in the days to come to ensure you receive this guidance.
-John Bain
Loving the team environment, the rad management team, the culinary team and all my hardworking, team focused co-workers! What a pleasant work environment, what friendly and happy guests and what a relaxed atmosphere it is here.
So awesome to hear, thank you very much for sharing!
-Jeremy Riss