We are going to be busy this weekend – just like the good ‘ol days! We have over 180 lessons on the Daily Lesson side and more than 250 on the Program Lesson side, and the Private Lesson board is FULL – this is what we have trained to do! Big weekend, good weather, lots of people wanting to take lessons – let’s do this!
This weekend is a BIG race weekend too, so if you drive, plan to be in the main parking lot by 7:38AM (or earlier) or risk being diverted to Sunrise. There are multiple high school race programs competing, some Masters events, and more, so plan for a full hill. If you arrive after 8AM and get diverted to Sunrise, it will be “no big deal” – just jump on the shuttle and arrive in the main lot right at the front door! Just text or email us if you’ll be late – thank you!
There is honestly, way too much happening to share in a single email, so I’ll keep it relatively short!
In this update:
NOAA Weather Forecast
Job Satisfaction Survey
February Program Start
Last Change Business Card Order
Leveling Up!
While at Line-Up, Be Helpful
Weekend Training Clinics
Guest Comments
NOAA Weather Forecast
A nice, easy winter weather pattern with inches of snow (instead of feet) is in store for us!
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-121.6688576341901&lat=45.34194381514135#.XiOSF8hKiUl
Job Satisfaction Survey
We want to make working and teaching at Mt. Hood Meadows even better, so we’d love to hear from you via a quick survey – see the link below. At the same time, we also want to let you know that all managers have an “open door” policy, and we’d love to hear from you on what’s going well and what we can do to make things better. We have a growth mindset and often great ideas come from you! Use the link below to anonymously check in with us. Your responses will be sent to Josey, Peter and me.
https://mhm.snowproportal.com/current-staff/check-in-survey
February Program Start
We have another 4 consecutive Saturday and Sunday programs starting this weekend. SnoBlasters, Trail Blazer (middle school), High Schoolers, etc. These guest will be coming for the next 4 Saturdays or Sundays in February. They are excited to be here and it’s a magical time, so let’s help them enjoy their mountain experience. Guide them, show them the way, answer questions, say “hello” – be helpful! Also, be sure to check your Dayforce assignment so you know where to report and at what time! SnoBlasters meeting is early! Don’t be late. I heard there might be morning breakfast goodies for those who work SnoBlasters – thanks for being here early!
You can also download and view the Daily Fact Sheet for Saturday – It’s going to be a busy Saturday! Let’s be stoked!
https://mhm.snowproportal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/96/2024/02/DFS-02_03_2024.pdf
Last Change Business Card Order
I am placing that order on Monday, so if you have not ordered you FREE business cards yet, please do so at this link: http://mhm.snowproportal.com/current-staff/self-promotion-tools/bulk-business-order/
Leveling Up!
Newly minted Certified instructors: Finley Tevlin (XC1), Katie Hageman (A1), Bailey Super (A1), ZJ (A1) Eric Yang (A1), Julia Williams (A1). And newly minted Freestyle Specialists: Gabe Staggs (FS1), Mack Hurley (FS1), Thomas Ma (FS1)!
Traveling to Utah to Level Up! Ryan Colesar, Aden Moree-Sanders and Keeley Brownback traveled to Park City, Utah to attempt their FS2 and FS3 accreditations – and guess what? They nailed it! Ryan and Aden both attainted their Freestyle Specialist 3 credentials and Keeley Brownback attainted her Freestyle Specialist 2 credential. Ryan and Aden are only a handful of FS3’s in the NW Region (less than 10) and Keeley is among an elite group (under 20) in the Northwest.
When you see these amazing people – anyone who has leveled up – congratulate them! George Thomas did a Podcast right in the MLC Admin offices this afternoon with them. Look for this on the PSIA-AASI Podcast channel here: https://thesnowpros.org/education/first-chair-podcast/
While at Lineup – Be Helpful!
Lineup time is lesson preparation time – not instructor social time! What should you do during line up to make your life and your lesson guests’ life better? Take responsibility for the things that are in your control and remember, many of our lesson guests are new to snow sports and don’t know to be “checking” things themselves, because they just don’t have the experience yet. This is where you come in. Be a friend, teacher, helper, share your knowledge with others. Here are some “must do” reminders:
– Check Lift Tickets
o Do they have one? What is a lift ticket anyway?
o Wear it on the correct side (left), not in wallet, not with cell phone – all by itself – or in Youth Lesson Vests
o If they are upper-level classes ask if they have an all-mountain ticket or progression ticket (maybe they know – maybe they don’t)
o If they have a progression ticket only, and want to ride other lifts during the lesson, we can add 2 hours of access for the lesson – ask your supervisor how;
Supervisor will need to radio access control to get access added;
Don’t assume that lift ops will let you through the gates – they won’t!
Take the time to correct this during lesson lineup time – that’s what this time is meant for!
– Check Boots
o Are they are buckled / laced up correctly? Too lose? Too tight? These things matter!
o Gaters are to go over the top of the boots – not inside. Fix this!
o Do boots fit bindings for either skis or snowboard? Check before you leave the corral. This is YOUR responsibility!
If not, correct now! You’re close enough to make a quick fix than when you’re at the lift!
– Check Skis/Boards
o Are they the right length?
o If the bases look or feel dry, rub on some wax; Don’t know what “pocket wax” is? Ask a seasoned pro!
– Check Poles
o Adjust poles to the proper lengths
o What if my student doesn’t have poles but wants them?
Go get the poles for them – don’t send guests away to get poles – this is your duty;
If you send them, they’ll get lost and not make it back on time for the lesson; You get them or have someone do this for you!
– Check Your Students
o Are they in the right class? Just because they signed up for _______________, doesn’t mean they are that ability level.
o When did they ski/snowboard last?
Last season? Last week?
o Are they a hard charger or cautiously optimistic?
Consider how pacing might affect your class makeup BEFORE you leave the corral.
If we have resources, maybe the “hard chargers” should be in one group and the cautiously optimistic should be in another group?
– Check with Supervisor before leaving
o Don’t leave without saying “Am I good to go?”
o Tell the supervisor where you are headed (even if they don’t ask)
o Why? In case we have a late comer, who can join your class we’ll know where to find you
– Don’t have a lesson assignment yet? Be helpful!
o Check with Supervisor – how can I help?
o Does Rental Center need help boot fitting inside?
o Does Rental Center need help at Equipment hand out with poles?
o Does Buttercup need a maze control person?
o Can I be a rover and “save the day” for a lesson that needs help?
Weekend Training Clinics
Click the Clinic title below for more details…
Level 1 Skiing Part 1 – 02/03/2024
Level 2 Cert Prep – 02/03/2024
Level 3 Cert Prep – 02/03/2024
SB L1 Prep – 02/03/2024
SB L2-3 – 02/03/2024
Ski Beyond Beginner (Paid) – 02/03/2024
Tele Technicals – 02/03/2024
Drills for Skills – 02/04/2024
Level 1 Teaching Part 1 – 02/04/2024
Level 2/3 Cert Prep – 02/04/2024
SB Beyond Beginner (Paid) – 02/04/2024
She Glides at the Nordic Center – 02/04/2024
Movement Analysis Virtual – 02/06/2024
Guest Comments About You …
Abby Breen: Abby was wonderful. She was so fun and kind. I had a great time improving my skills with her and can tell I learned how to be better in our short time together!
Gabe Staggs: Gabe was the best snowboard coach ever. I learned a lot from him and he was a supportive coach.
Paul Sunderland: Paul is one of the best instructors I have had since I have been taking lessons here at meadows. His observation, knowledge and instruction gives me more confidence to continue learning.
Imm-o: Immo was a charismatic and excellent instructor! Thank you!
Sue Overby: Absolutely loved my lesson and working with Sue, the way she teaches, and the feedback she provided was spot on and just clicked for me! She was very patient, providing me with right amount of challenges on the terrain. I have improved quite a bit from the lessons. She was also so helpful to provide feedback to me after my lesson. I would highly recommend Sue to others, I will probably take her lesson again.
Katie Hageman: Well let’s just say, “She Rocks!” per the comment cards read aloud this morning at the full-timer meeting!
Hand out those guest satisfaction surveys so you can be featured here!
See you this weekend!
Tyler
