Hello Amazing MLC Instructors!
We are half-way through the busy part of the season. Welcome to February! We have a whole new group of SnoBlasters, Trail Blazers, High School and Adult Programs starting this weekend. We also have some college programs starting tomorrow. We also have regular (and popular) daily group lessons, so please … if you are scheduled … show up for your shift!
Unfortunately, we’ve been experiencing quite a few non-illness related call outs. If you are sick, please DO NOT come to work, but if you are scheduled and are able, please show up for your shift! Don’t fall into the mindset of, “It’s only me calling in and we have plenty of extra help.” We don’t. Each person who calls out affects our entire operation. We pre-sell lessons based on who is scheduled and available to work. If you decide you can’t come for a non-illness related issue you are hurting your fellow instructors and guests who want to take a lesson from you! We have made a commitment to you with pass benefits, food discounts, exchange letter program (and the rest of the perks), so please make a commitment to us by fulfilling your schedule commitment.
In this update …
Weather Outlook – Back to Winter!
Lift Loading & Riding Best Practices – Refresher
Capable Adult Scenario
Calling in Sick vs. Schedule Change Request
Banked Turns and Mini Pipe
Training & Clinics
Guest Comments – You’re awesome!
Weather Outlook – Back to Winter
Hope you had a chance to enjoy some sunny days and soft groomers. We are back to winter, so plan for longer commute time and snowy conditions!
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-121.6688576341901&lat=45.34194381514135#.Y93Aw3bMJPa
Lift Loading & Riding Best Practices – Refresher
Let’s revisit some lift loading and riding best practices – these examples are alpine skiing specific. We have seen some student / teacher arrangements that look different than the diagrams below. Ski instructors should have a student on either side of them. Snowboard instructors should have all students to your right if you are regular and to your left if you are goofy.
If you are riding a quad chairlift and have a third student, the most skilled student should be closest to the lift operator. If you are asking a capable adult to ride with your class of students (if you have a class of more than 3 students) please confirm that the guest is comfortable doing this and can assist with lowering the bar. This “capable adult” should be in the position the farthest from the Lift Operator position, and be able to assist with lowering the bar, and raising the bar at the top, after crossing over the low clearance rope line at the top.
The above diagram is Buttercup, but applies to all quad lifts.
Capable Adult Scenario
If you have kids in a lesson who won’t all fit on a chair, you need a capable adult to ride with them to help with lowering the restraining bar – every time! You should not allow kids who are 6 or younger OR those who are not sufficiently strong enough or tall enough to lower the restraining bar on their own, ride any chairlift without a capable adult who can assist with this important aspect of riding the lifts. Kids on lifts must be able to ride the lift with the bar down every time. If you need to wait for a volunteer, then so be it. Most guests are eager to help, especially if they get to cut the line and come assist. Please be proactive and seek out capable adults to help ride with kids in your lesson, even if they are able to lower the bar on their own.
When Riding the Lift
Please lower the bar EVERYTIME, this goes for you free skiing/riding and in lessons with your students. On Buttercup and Easy Rider there is a strap attached to the bar to help those who are shorter to be able to reach the bar and lower it. Lift operations will now assist with lowering the bar if you ask for it. Remember the 3 basics:
SIT STILL, HOLD ON! No horseplay or moving around. Simply hold on to the chair and enjoy the ride to the top.
BACK TO BACK, BOTTOM TO BOTTOM. Keep your back against the backrest on the chair at all times. Do not ever try to lift up off the seat or stand on footrests.
PACKS IN LAPS, CHECK FOR LOOSE CLOTHING. Before you load, remove your backpack and check for loose clothing. Unremoved packs prevent riders from being safely and fully seated and can also snag when trying to unload.
For more information about riding the lift with kids, see this website: http://www.kidsonlifts.org and for information on loading and riding best practices, including the Triple Load Procedure, please see an excerpt from our instructor manual here: https://mhm.snowproportal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/96/2020/02/Lift-Safety.pdf
Calling in Sick vs. Schedule Change Request
If you are going to miss a shift less than 24 hours away, please use the call in sick form on the instructor portal – don’t text a supervisor on their personal cell phone as they might not be working that day. Use the call-in form and everyone is notified of your absence. A schedule change request is for a shift you would like to change 72 hours or more in advance. Please use that form to let us know so we can plan for your absence. We know that calling in sick is inevitable but calling in with “scheduling issue” at 7am on the day you’re supposed to be working is way too late – and counts an unexcused absence – just like in school! Both of these forms are on the home page of the instructor portal: https://mhm.snowproportal.com/
Banked Turns and Mini Pipe
Please take your classes on the Banked Turns and Rollers. Entrance is at the bottom of Vista. The more we use these the more fun everyone has – and we’ll get more cool features! The Mini Pipe at the bottom of Buttercup is ideal teaching terrain for both snowboard and ski lessons. Students can get some first glides going, learn to turn, etc. in a safe, controlled, and out-of-the-way area.
Training & Clinics
Clinics recently added in February.
Adaptive
- Intro to Sit Ski – https://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/adaptive-intro-to-sit-skis-2
- Beginner Tethering – https://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/adaptive-begginer-skiing-riding-skills-for-tethering-paid
- Intermediate Tethering – https://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/adaptive-intermediate-skiing-riding-skills-for-tethering-paid
- Cognitive Differences – https://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/adaptive-teaching-for-differing-cognitive-abilities-paid
Snowboard
- Level 1 & 2 Prep Series on Wed and weekends – https://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/sb-level-1-and-2-teaching-2
- Bumps, Steeps, Ungroomed, Games and more – see this: https://mhm.snowproportal.com/calendar
- Virtual & On Snow Movement Analysis – see this: https://mhm.snowproportal.com/calendar
Crossover clinics on Sunday 2/12, learn the other discipline or get more information on how to teach a beginner lesson.
Ski XO Clinic – https://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/crossover-clinic-skiing-paid-2
Snowboard XO Clinic – https://mhm.snowproportal.com/events/crossover-clinic-snowboarding-paid-2
Here are some training images from the last few weeks (1 Intro to Sit Ski Tethering, 2 Evening Clinic Beauty, and 3 Snowboard Crossover)
Guest Comments – You’re awesome!
About Peeyush – Instructor was very professional, patient and a good communicator. Other staff in the meeting room were also very helpful when any issues came up.
About Kathi W – My son had great experience and Kathi was awesome!
Instructor not named – Took a lesson for the first time at 52 years old. Was an amazing experience. Instructor was very professional and gave great instruction. Don’t wait, take a lesson! No matter your level.
See you tomorrow!
Tyler
