Week 14: Final

Tuesday we met at the LOC and talked about what we'd do thursday and what was expected of the final.

Thursday we all presented our final presentations. Everyone gave their point of view of this course and of what we did in it. 

Week 13: Stowe

On tuesday we went to one of the labs in HAC and furthered our knowledge of SketchUp with John Deleo.
Thursday we went to Stowe. When we got there we suited up and headed right up the lift, a the top we went to the ski partrol and heard about what they do. Then we took a few runs. After that we went back to sit in on one of their daily meeting. Then we went back to the hill and learned a bit about what they've done on the mountain. Overall we got a  quick peak at Stowe and to ski and board around and have a good time.

A view from the top of the lift

Matt relaxing with a cold brew. 

Week 12: The Carpet Part II

Tuesday:
We left early to Jay Peak, a shuttle came to get us. We arrived and were put to work on the carpet lift on stateside. It seemed that little had been done since we were last there. We were all delegated to work on different tasks. This time around was far less enjoyable due to the inches of snow we were working on and the cold brisk conditions. All the parts weren't there yet and it seemed like things weren't going according to plan. Either way we did what we could and then left.

Thursday:
We went to the LOC and talked about next semester and the final project, 

Week 11: Raking at Stowe

Tuesday:

We met at the outing club at early where we were told we would begin to put our master plans into action. We were told to capture the outing club at all angles, so we all went about the area and took various pictures.

 We then reconvened at school with John Deleo and learned some of the basics of SketchUp. 

Thursday:

We went on a trip to Stowe where we met one of the two risk managers, Jack. We brought us up the toll road and set us up with rakes and leaf blowers. We were asked to clear out the leaves along the toll road. 

The reason it is important to do this is because if the leaves stay there when it gets cold they with freeze in place and mess with the drainage system, and that will end up costing the resort a lot of money. 

Week 10: Bretton Woods

On Tuesday I unfortunately missed class. I heard we went to burke listened to a few people talk about the new snowmaking and what they do at the resort. Then were anticipating seeing the new snow guns fire, but they weren’t ready, so class was let out.

On Thursday we went to Bretton Woods. One of the most exciting parts was driving up, and entering a little snowstorm. 

We got the grand tour. We first heard Alexa and James talk about what they do at the resort and how they got to where they are.

  Alexa is the head of mountain operations. She showed us to the maintenance building and then one of the lifts. James is in charge of guest related business. He showed us around the entire inside.
 Then we went to the Omni Mount Washington Hotel, where our professor Sean Doll gave us a little tour. We got to go into room 314 which was deemed haunted which was also rather cool.

Week 9: No Helicopter

Tuesday: This class was short, we met at the outing club at 1 and went over how everything was going to happen for the skate jam.
Thursday: We met at the outing club again but at 9 and were all anticipating a helicopter. John Hinds from DART a helicopter service spoke to us about his job, what the business does, and about helicopters. He spoke about the necessity of this form of transportation and how and when it can be most utilized. DART is a medical helicopter team for the New Hampshire and Vermont area, they are called in and respond to all sorts of events. He told us about the dangers of helicopters. Then at the end of this presentation we found out to helicopter wasn't coming :(

Week 8: The Carpet

Tuesday we met at the LOC and talked a bit about what we've got done for the Skate Jam and the Clean Up Day. Then we were told to think of two ideas for the outing club a realistic and crazy one. We brainstormed and though about two idea. Then each group presented our ideas.
Thursday we went to Jay Peak to help install a carpet along Stateside. We helped the crew by evening out the terrain and placing beams. Then each of the metal frames were put into place. We then broke for lunch. After lunch we adjusted all the beams and frames by leveling them and sighting to make sure everything was straight. After everything was squared away we put the bottom terminal into place then fed in the bottom part of the carpet.

Week 7: Check In

Tuesday originally we were going to go to Bretton woods. But that got canceled so we met at the outing club and went over what everyone has done for the two upcoming events. We assessed what needed to still be done and made a plan of how to go about doing it all. And Thursday we were going to go jay but that got canceled to we got the day off. 

Week 6: Jay

Tuesday we did not all meet as a class, the four group representatives went to the program planning class to talk and make sure everything was in order and that everyone was on the same page.

            Thursday we went to Jay again. First we met in the conference room. JJ who is the communication director told us a bit about his position. He told us about things he does on a day-to-day basis and some about marketing. Next Jake Webster spoke very briefly about mountain planning and development, he then had to leave, at which point Walter Elander who also works with planning and development told us more. He showed us some maps, the first a topographical view showing the different slopes of the mountain. Then one of the master plans, it showed all of the current trails, building, lifts and such, but it also showed the planned expansion. For example he told us about their plan of expanding into the west bowl. Then Bill came by, he is the owner of Jay Peak. He told us about how every job is important from lift mechanic to marketing director to custodians. He talked about what he does everyday, and about how working in the industry isn’t about loving skiing its about loving to share the love of skiing with others. After he finished his talk Tom the head of risk management took us around. He is whom we report to if we spend our practicum there. He told us about all the jobs he’s had and how he moved up in the industry. Then we took us on a tour of one of the rooms at Hotel Jay. We then rode up the tram and looked at the construction up there. Once we came down we broke for lunch. After lunch we split into two different groups. Then we installed the seat cushions on one of the lift. After we finished we headed home. 

Week 5: The Tram

On Tuesday we went to the outing club where everyone got into their different groups. We we told to create an action plans. This is a plan that lays out everything we have to do, who has to do it and by when. 

On Thursday we met over at maintenance. From there we went to Cannon Mountain. The first thing we did was visited their ski museum where we got to poke around for a bit. Then we went into the projection room where Jeff Leich gave a presentation about ski lifts and grooming. We all learned about about the evolution of these two necessities of this industry. After that we headed up to the main lodge to grab a quick bite to eat. Then Bruce the tram mechanic took us on a tour to see the inner working of the tram. We then got the privilege to ride up and view the summit of Cannon. We all hiked a bit to the observation deck where we got to see an amazing view. After coming back the the base we got to talk to John DeVivo for a bit where he told us a bit about his background and some about Cannon Mountain. 

Week 4: Pump House

Tuesday 18

On Tuesday we met up at the outing club and separated into our department groups. We were told to make a timeline of when everything is to happen for preparation for the two events: Skate Jam and Trail Clean-up. I am in the marketing group and we got straight to work. While going about making the timeline everyone in my group (and it seemed in other groups) began to realize how much communication would be needed amongst the class. Everyone gave good input and we quickly completed the task. At the end of class we were informed that on Thursday we would be touring the water park at Jay Peak everyone seemed excited.

Thursday 20

Thursday morning we met at maintenance to get ready to leave. We left early and began our drive. Once we got there we were given a tour of the pump house maintenance room. We learned a bit about their equipment. They make their own chlorine, which is better, quality and far less expensive. We also learned about their filtration system, which gives them such pristine water around the park. After the tour a few people went to go mop and clean the floors while myself and various others headed to the top of the water slides. There we learned how to clean and wax the slides. After finished the slides we took a break for lunch. After lunch we all worked to clean the floors more then the fun began. Before they officially opened the turned on the FlowRider. Everyone turn there turn there and had a good time. Over all everyone worked together and we all gained a lot of knowledge about how a successful water park runs. 

Week 3: NSAA

Sam Ornstein

September 13, 2012

On Tuesday September 11 we met at the outing club. We broke into the four different groups of a mountain. I was put in marketing with 4 others. We brainstormed about how we can market the chili cook off/skate jam and the trail clean up. Once we came up with ideas we divided the obligations and each person was given a task. 

Thursday September 13 we met out side the maintenance building around 6am. We all drove to the 2012 New England Summit. The first event I went to was the SMI presentation about the 2014 winter olympics in russia. These upcoming olympics will be the first time that the host city will have not had a previous resort to hold the events. Russia started from scratch will a whole new resort. SMI was lucky enough to be chosen to run all of the snowmaking machines. Thus far making this resort has set them back over 1.4 billion dollars. The second presentation was about snowmaking piping.  

After the two presentations I went to visit various booths. David Frick works with card dog, they take all of the different credit card and gift card transactions and record all the data and put it into one easy location. He works in many industries not just the snow sport industry. Scott Gunnell from MyNeige told me about various snowmaking projects he has across the nation. Perhaps the most helpful and influential person i talked to at this event was Scott Peirport who works with Doppelmayr. He pulled Adele, Nate and myself aside to talk about his experiences in the industry. He told us about how he started as a lift attendant and through his “can do attitude” he steadily moved up though all the ranks of a resort. He told us about what our future employers will look for. I personally found him to be very helpful.     

Week 2: Low Ropes

Our tuesday class was supposed to be a trip to the low ropes course, unfortunately it was postponed to thursday due to weather.

Thursday we did do a few exercises at the low ropes course. Jamie Stuck lead us in communication and teamwork exercises. First we were blindfolded and sent into the woods looking for one person. Then we had to replicate a structure while being blindfolded. We had to work well together and really articulate. The second activity also involved a lot of trust, there were mouse traps which could be considered dangerous, so we had to trust our partner to keep us safe.

Overall I think everything went we'll people seemed to work together and take away some important information. 

Week 1: And so it begins

August 30th, 2012

• Blogging
• How to make a blog on Blogger
• How to make a post
• Video
• Text
• Podcast
• Resort
• Various Departments
• Guest Services: Hub of many resorts
• Key: Communication