Ideas Lab Submissions & Responses

• MHM Team Members
• CSMR Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team
• Guests

Better quality protein, less plastic waste, less preservatives used/consumed, less money spent.

The new brand difference is because we changed distributors, and that’s what Sysco carries.
We really do not have a method to do hard boiled eggs and package for retail sale in volume to keep in stock in outlying locations… and to have a shelf life we require. Without that preservative, hard-boiled eggs tend to get discolored, which is why they have that preservative. Plus the labor involved to show all the hard boiled eggs cost prohibitive.

- Mark

• MHM Team Members

They will be able to go home and not have wasted their entire days being stuck here

Most folks do not realize that we schedule one driver per route each day. The same driver who drove team members up from Sandy, would be the one to drive them down at an earlier departure and be the same to drive the scheduled departure at 5:15 later that day.

It can be unwise or even unresponsible offering an early departure on poor weather days. When days are increasingly slow due to weather, operations could be suspended due to visibility or lifts not able to run. Bus drivers would need to be available to transport employees' home at an earlier departure in the event of operations being suspended.

Since employee route drivers are dependent to drive the departures at the end of the day, an early departure can be unwise depending on the HWY conditions and road closures going into effect. We run the risk of a bus not being able to return to Meadows and not able to operate its scheduled departure later that day.

The links for our partners at CAT, as well as Mt. Hood Express, are linked on the Transportation Resources page on the Team Site. For folks needing to get down to Sandy, the CAT bus stops at Summit (near the Chevron) in Government Camp and one can then transfer to the Mt. Hood Express bus.

Hope this is clear and helpful. Let me know if I can help in any other way.
- Ann Gilbert, Transportation Manager

• MHM Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team
• Guests

Additional business, employee stoke levels high, guest stoke levels high, good vibes, potential for using it as a platform to raise money for charity if we want to go for that kind of thing.

Thanks Kobel! Do you have any contacts within the electronic music / arts communities? We may be somewhat limited for an outdoor concert in the summer time frame do to noise restrictions - but something like this would be awesome in the Spring on the deck!

Dave Tragethon

• Guests

Thanks Justin.
I like what you're thinking - especially in the congested areas. We'd need to deploy this kind of signage where we have available network and power, so the idea of placing at our trail maps (tops and bottoms of lifts) is plausible.
There is considerable expense with this kind of signage - but it's something we can spec out.
We will be using Lumiplay - a ski area dashboard platform - to feed information to the conditions page of our new website next year. Lumiplan is a major manufacturer of electronic display boards - so if we move this direction we'd have a natural alignment with being able to present this information.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Dave

• MHM Team Members
• Guests

By signing and agreeing to an "Annual" form, it will save guests time during the ticket purchase process.

Thanks Margie. We will look at how we can develop that functionality - kind of like how RTP stores a confirmation when we receive a sign off of liability for a season pass holder. The main issue would be making sure someone connects with their profile when making a purchase at the ski area. Reloading their media would virtually assure they are connected to a profile that could verify the release was signed. But if they are making a new purchase it wouldn't necessarily connect with their profile.
There may also be some legal ramifications, where someone says they signed the release on a previous visit, but then the next day they weren't offered that option because it was on their profile - and that's the day they got hurt. Could they claim that they were never offered the option that day, and therefore the release wouldn't be enforced?
So we'll need to take our guidance on how we collect releases from the best interpretation of Oregon's liability release laws.
I applaud our IT and guest services team though for making it so easy for a day of purchaser to access and sign that release. The QR code badge that our hosts have been wearing was a brilliant idea!
Thanks!
Dave

• MHM Team Members
• Guests

Military/PSIA/USSA/NSP will go through the ticket purchase process faster and/or, (if #2 above can be implemented) they could bypass the ticket window altogether after they get their initial RFID pass.
I've encountered many frustrated military guests who have to wait in line EVERY TIME they come up to enjoy the mountain. While they greatly appreciate the discounted ticket prices, we make it more difficult by making them have to visit the ticket window every time. There's got to be a way to streamline this process for these valued guests.

Thanks Margie! That is a wonderful idea to allow those earning these special discounts not only a great deal but convenience as well. Currently, RTP doesn't support this kind of functionality - basically anyone who has the code would be able to receive the discount without an ability to verify. However, we are looking into this kind of service that we could launch with our new website for next season, that would work just as you have outlined.
Thanks for always thinking about how to improve the experience for our guests!
Dave

• MHM Team Members
• CSMR Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team
• A specific department
• Guests

In addition to what I mentioned last time I submitted this idea, most of it centered around the nordic trail users and non dog owners (If I recall correctly) I have done more research: dog owners that put their dog back in their vehicle, leave the poop bag by the tires of their vehicle so they remember to "pack it out" (not sit in the car all day while skiing) will be happy to have a trash can in this Heather canyon dog park, and, the ski patrol and their patients will appreciate the clean site for unloading a toboggan. I am sure the groomers don't enjoy grooming over dog poop, but that my have been in my previous submittal, but now I have met a nordic groomer!

Thanks Tara for revisiting this. I spoke with Jess from Parking and Mel Toney and we really don't want to attract dogs to the Heather run out. It's not a good mix of dogs with skiers coming out of the canyon.
We have a dog park area at the Nordic Center with a trash can and dog poop bags and a trash can in the HRM parking lot.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Dave Tragethon

• MHM Team Members
• Guests

More places to sit that offer shade from the sun or shelter from the snow. Also, this might help keep large amounts of snow from accumulating on the tables.

Thanks for the idea Missy.
Culinary also thinks this would be a good idea, but has a concern about the quality of the Gazebo and whether it could stand up to our weather. Constantly popping the up and down and storing is also another consideration. We're not able to attach anything to the deck. There are snow removal concerns as well.
As we move into Spring our guests tend to want to sit out doors more in the sunshine - so I'm not sure that they would want to seek shade.
With Sahale we've really addressed our seating issue in a huge way - it seems that we have indoor seating available in the Schuss and North Lodge (near Fresh Tracks) areas even on our busy days. Maybe we need to do a better job directing our guests to the available seating we have on those busy days.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Dave Tragethon

• MHM Team Members
• CSMR Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team

This will give everyone from different departments a chance to be able to get out on the slopes and ride with people from other departments, Such as Lift Ops and F&B, or our awesome workers inside at janitorial or rental etc

Thanks Brian. I'll discuss this with leadership. Thank you both for your suggestion and willingness to pitch in to help make it happen.
Dave Tragethon

• MHM Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team
• Guests

Everyone here at Meadows has the potential to benefit from this! My recommendation is to supply our Team Member lounges with LMNT electrolyte packets, as well as making them available for sale at our many Food & Beverage outlets.

I spoke to Jon about this while riding the bus. Well-thought idea, lots of reasoning and ties to our values. I have some contacts I will be reaching out to about this for Team, Retail and F&B possibilities. Not sure if it would run into any exclusive contracts we already have, but worth exploring. - Matt Troskey

• MHM Team Members
• CSMR Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team
• A specific department
• Guests

Some good friendly competition.

Thanks Colby! Will in accounting had a similar suggestion.
I think we can create a leaderboard - and celebrate (without a prize incentive) those that are getting the most vertical in.
Thanks!
Dave Tragethon

• Guests

Avoidance of an accident (or worse...)
I believe that some guests get down in that area without realizing they are out-of-bounds. The area is marked on trees; But the signage is spaced far apart. In the case I cite, the snowboarder crossed over a cat track and likely did not see a sign and (as he told me) thus did not realize he was out-of-bounds. That's why he kept trying to go downhill (bad idea) to get back to the trail...

Thanks David! And thank you for the assistance your provided to a guest in distress.

Your suggestion will be considered within patrol, mt. ops & Risk management.

Skiers right of honeysuckle road is clearly marked with numerous tree-mounted ski area boundary signs. These signs continue a ways through the woods to the Right of the “Fright” terrain. And as we've seen on our southern boundary - a long rope line does not prevent frequent crossing despite daily attention, heavy signage and the line itself. Those choosing to ignore the warning signs may very well ignore the rope line itself.

This is a good time to remind everyone that it is the responsibility of guests to read and obey this signage. Our ski area boundary is also marked in this area on our trail maps. It is the responsibility of guests to stay out of closed areas and areas not designated for skiing & riding.

Dave Tragethon

• MHM Team Members
• A specific department
• Guests

I just learned from my web searches that dog poop is far more hazardous than I had realized, beyond the objectionable experience of the groomers and the skiers running over a pile of poop, it is a health and environmental hazard. By placing a receptacle, and some signage, for dog poop in the areas that dogs are allowed, dog owners will have a convenient place to deposit the poop, and someone patrolling the area, will have a more likely successful experience requesting compliance with this oregon law.

• MHM Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team
• Guests

better music

Thanks Wes. I will share this with our culinary team that has the main control of our Sonos system in Sahale and in the Alpenstube as well.
Music certainly adds to the atmosphere - and having a variety helps change it up for both our guests and our team. I know we've been playing some music of Mexico on Friday's in the Alp and that has some folks dancing.
We appreciate the suggestion!
Dave

• MHM Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team
• Guests

Their first minutes every day at MHM would be smoother and safer. They would also be better directed towards the ticket booths and lodges.

Thanks for the suggestion - our GM Greg Pack believes it has merit and we'll be looking at how this can be addressed this summer.
Thanks!

Kent Fellows also responded with some background on this potential project:

It’s been suggested before and is in our plans- but bigger project than you might think to do it right. We’ve talked about some railroad ties and trying to keep it clear as long as we can, but could be difficult to keep safe and purposely making something that can’t be kept safe for people at all times is worse than nothing at all and making them go around. The big plan is heated concrete steps with a retaining wall, or a steel structure the snow falls through that’s either heated underneath or somehow easy to remove snow by hand. We have drawings for a heated welcome plaza there that takes the place of the rock retaining wall.
-- Kent Fellows, Director of Facilities

• MHM Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team
• Guests

If they had a lodge map they will not have to find someone to ask directions

Thanks Melinda! I think you're on to something here. The last two seasons we've been focused on managing the amount of guests coming into the lodges - and this is the first season where we are fully utilizing Sahale the way it was intended.
Our guests could use some assistance in getting around the lodge.
We have some maps already and we have poster frames and could add them to some of our TVs.
If you have some suggestions for new locations please share with our marketing team.
Thanks!
Dave Tragethon

• MHM Team Members
• Guests

It will educate guests - especially those from out of state - who may not know a SnoPark permit is required. It would reduce their frustration and financial expense by avoiding a parking ticket.

Hi Margie,

Thanks for the great idea. I asked the Marketing Team to make up a sign that we can post at the sales stations. Should have something next week.

-Ashley

• MHM Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team
• Guests

Guests will benefit from refreshed and focused team members. Team member's wellness would improve through the ability to take an effective pause from the hustle and bustle of resort operations!

• MHM Team Members
• Guests

Increased physical and psychological safety as well as a sense of belonging for both employees and guests whom may identify outside of the gender binary. Parents/caregivers whose children are a different gender from them will also benefit from being able to keep better supervision.

Brooke and I took a walk to identify existing family/single stall areas. Discussed signage as an easy move to make now, with the lens of future re-models to have inclusive bathrooms. Most needed areas would be Team Lounge (and additional stall plus showers) and Main south Lodge. With our aim to foster a stronger sense of belonging for all, this has short term impacts - the cumulative effects of someone adding up in their brain all the barriers or welcoming spaces to being / working here. Then there are the practical and possible long term effects: walking farther to a bathroom could yield more down time, guilt for taking longer, perception that a person's length of break is a performance issue; choosing to drink less water has eventual health impacts. In addition to the link Brooke provided : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_symbol - Matt Troskey

• MHM Team Members
• Guests

• MHM Team Members
• CSMR Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team
• A specific department
• Guests

People won't be afraid of their dogs being hit by impatient people

• MHM Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team
• A specific department
• Guests

People taking their dogs out will know not to stop in the middle of the Nordic trail, or at least be on the look out for nordic skiers in both directions.
People alpine and snow boarding from their last run to the HRM parking lot will be in the look out for nordic skiers (generally slower since they aren't "gravity assisted".
Nordic skiers will have .9 km of trail more safely available to them, especially those that are choosing the access trail to avoid the hazards of taking skies off to cross the access road below.

• MHM Team Members
• A specific department
• Guests

Better guest service means happier guests. Also bus drivers and parking attendants won't have to answer the same question 100 times a day.

It will also benefit any employee who has ever walked in front of the lodge in uniform 🙂 for the same reason.

It may also help patrol closing the North side by reassuring guests that they can get to their car by shuttle.

• A specific department

Those who forgot or don't have their phone/watch on hand can still catch accurate time for paperwork and for passing on time info to guests who need it.

• MHM Team Members
• CSMR Team Members
• Leadership / Executive Team
• A specific department
• Guests

Nordic skiers should be able to more safely ski the .9 K trail with out obstacles (dog walkers and area near HRM, outside picnic area, etc) and know to be on the look out for Alpine and snowboarders that area going fast (gravity assisted) from their last run of the day to the parking lot.
Alpine and snow boarders will know to share and be on the look out for nordic skiers, and slow their speed,
Dog walkers will know not to stop in the trail junction, and to be looking for nordic skiers in both directions.