Hello Amazing MLC Instructors!
It’s the second weekend of February Programs and we are expecting a big turnout. Plus our daily lessons should be busy with the great weather. There is some big sports event on Sunday where two brothers will be playing against each other for the fist time in history – and we’ll be sliding on the side of a volcano if you’re into that kind of sport too! We’ve been well-staffed thanks to you all making here early ready to enrich lives. Leave early so you miss the traffic – or you might be subject to Imm-o’s Govy 500 play-by-play bottleneck photos.
In this update:
Weekend Weather – Looks Sunny! Wear sunscreen
While at Lineup – Be Helpful!
Commitments to You – And You to Us
Giving Props to your Peers
PSIA-AASI-NW Exams, Events & Clinics
Guest Comments – You’re Amazing!
Weekend Weather – Looks Sunny! Wear Sunscreen
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-121.68121557617184&lat=45.343900465097306#.Y-bpk3bMJPZ and make sure you put on sunscreen (as well as any kids that are in your classes). I know there is sunscreen both in the Program Room and the CLC – so if you need some stop by. And don’t forget a little goes a long ways!
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 students are new to snow sports, so they 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 teacher, be helpful, share your knowledge with others. Here are some “must do” reminders:
– Check Lift Tickets
o Do they have one?
o 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;
§Supervisor will need to radio access control to get access added;
§Don’t assume that lift ops will let you through the gates
§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?
o Gaters are to go over the top of the boots – not inside
o Do boots fit bindings for either skis or snowboard?
§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;
§Especially this time of year when snow conditions change rapidly
o Don’t have rub on “pocket wax”? Or don’t know what this is?
§Ask your supervisor for some
– 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;
§If you send them, they’ll get lost and not make it back on time for the lesson; You go get them or have someone do this for you!
– Check Your Students
o Are they in the right class?
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
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 an instructor need help rubbing on some wax or adjusting 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?
Commitments to You – And You to Us
Being an instructor is one of the best jobs you can have on the mountain – it’s a dream job really – you get paid to ski, snowboard and make someone’s day! Some of the commitments we’ve made to you include an unlimited-no-black-out-days seasons pass, a super-flexible pick-your-days schedule, 70% off food anytime you’re here, 30% off retail, employee tune deals, employee lift vouchers and buddy passes, free and paid clinics to help you become a better skier, rider and teacher – and a whole lot more!
What commitments do you make to us? Let’s start with coming to work on-time, 100% present and ready to enrich lives … and NOT calling in “sick” because you scheduled a haircut on a day you committed to work your Meadows job, or NOT calling in that you overslept or were out too late last night. The whole team of instructors, leads, supervisors and managers are counting on you to be here. We’ve scheduled you and sold lessons based on you showing up. Please fulfill your commitment to us and yourself – to your own conscious – you said you’d be here – please come – we need you.
If you can’t make your commitment – that’s OK, too – it happens – but be honest with yourself. You need to communicate this to us, and this means you are officially quitting. Calling in “sick” because your neighbor’s squirrel died, and you need to attend the vigil is “not a thing.” Not coming to work when you’re scheduled is also “not a thing.”
Giving Props to your Peers
The MLC Team is about 325+ total instructors and it’s hard for supervisors and managers to catch everyone doing something amazing, so that’s where you come in. If you witness someone doing something awesome, you can share this with everyone using the Instructor Props Form on the Instructor Portal here: https://mhm.snowproportal.com/instructor-props
PSIA-AASI-NW Exams, Events & Clinics
Do you need educational credit as a member of PSIA and AASI? Look no further, check out these exams that are happening right here at Meadows:
Snowboard L1 Exam – March 24th
https://www.psia-nw.org/events/?cal-month=3&cal-year=2023&event=8306
Snowboard L2 Exam – April 10th and 11th
https://www.psia-nw.org/events/?cal-month=4&cal-year=2023&event=8568
Alpine L1 Exam – March 5th
https://www.psia-nw.org/events/?cal-month=3&cal-year=2023&event=8206
Alpine L1 Exam – March 28th
https://www.psia-nw.org/events/?cal-month=3&cal-year=2023&event=8207
Children’s Specialist 2 March 27th and 28th
https://www.psia-nw.org/events/?cal-month=3&cal-year=2023&event=8424
Each season you need 6 educational credits which is equivalent to a full day event. For more educational opportunities and events at other resorts in the NW, check out the PSIA-NW events page here: https://www.psia-nw.org/events/
Guest Comments – You’re Amazing!
About Oriol: Oriole was attentive, and gave clear instruction, which he explained and demonstrated. He was cheerful and courteous, while maintaining a professional attitude.
He was genuinely concerned about making sure we were progressing and getting something out of the lesson. Highly recommended
About Chris and David: It was one of the best days I’ve had in 26 years. I loved it, and the instructions, Chris Savage and David VanCott . I felt very safe and comfortable. They took great care to make sure I was physically comfortable as well as mentally. It was a wonderful, exhilarating experience and I’m recommending it to everyone I know! – Keli Stevens
About Haoran: Haoran was super patient and positive with our little guy. He had such a blast! She had wonderful feedback for him and kept entire group going so well.
About Trish: Trish was awesome with our 9 and 7 year olds and gave them both a great experience. They were moving at different paces and Trish did really well with them and others in the group to help all learn appropriately. She was great.
About Ryan & Henry: Ryan Reilly was my 4 year old daughter Annabelle’s first-day-of-ski instructor, and he was excellent. His patience and flexibility was great. Annabelle was scared to take the class, boots hurt, helmet uncomfortable, but we worked through it and she had a successful class! My 9 yr old daughter Claire had a good experience with Henry as well, and says she’ll be back! Thank you!
See you this weekend!
Tyler
