I hope this finds you all doing well. It has been a bit since I last checked in and thought I would reach out to keep you up to snuff on what’s shaking on the hill. We have been busy this summer with our typical infrastructure improvements as well as some really cool improvements in our operations. To better address the donning and doffing issues that many of our guests experience we have completely remodeled the Seasonal Locker area to hold 265 lockers which will support over 500 guests. This is up from 65 lockers. The new room is located in the tunnel area with direct access to outside rather than traipsing through the lodge like we’ve had to do in the past. The lockers are very high end. They will accommodate 2 sets of skis, poles, and boots. They even come with boot driers. Access to the room is achieved by using your authorized RFID Season Pass. Fancy Shmanshy. Aidan, our Locker specialist, will be reaching out to current locker owners and those on the waiting lists first, then open the rest to rent for what we are expecting to be a first come, first serve frenzy. Stay tuned.
We continue to improve our tree skiing by removing the beetle infested dead spruce. We have just about completed all we can within our boundaries, and so now our focus will shift to areas where we will be expanding in the upcoming years. As I explained in my last post, we are moving aggressively to expand our skiing opportunities into the No Name Basin area. As such, this summer has been a whirlwind of planning activities with Forest Service advisors as well as architects and engineers for the buildings we have on slate. Should we receive Forest Service approval next summer we are looking at replacing the current Ski Patrol building with a new one that will be more suitable for all involved. It shouldn’t be too hard to get rid of the old one since it is a doublewide and still on wheels. In the next few years, we are looking at adding more under roof space in the Paradise lot. It will house the tubing check-in, restaurant space, and restrooms. Again, Forest Service willing, next summer we will begin cutting trees for the new lift as well as reimagining how our trails might lay after more beetle-kill tree removal has been accomplished in that arena.
Believe it or not we are getting close to hitting the slopes again. With the labor market still somewhat depleted, we are amping up our efforts on hiring this season with opportunities for housing, improved work environments, and better compensation packages. Thanks to all of you who continue to be our season pass holders and to those giving us a try for the first time. Because of you, we can pay it forward to our staff who are doing all they can to remain in our community. You are part of a very special group that help form our identity as one of the happiest places on earth. At least I think it is anyway.
See you on the Slopes!
