joshua_segal
June 2022
With all the 2021-2 snow long gone all activities at CM are focusing on next season. Time for a new thread.
When I reached the top of the mountain, I was pleased to see that the summit shack for the old FG-quad which had been repurposed into a snowmaking pipe junction box had been repaired. It had been vandalized about 3-years ago and was a serious eyesore. The broken window was finally replaced.
I've seen more work done on the mountain in the last month than any total summer since the HSQ (aka: The Rocket) was installed about 10-years ago. I find that to be very encouraging.
joshua_segal
July 7, 2022 - Thursday
Activity on the mountain continues at a rate I have never before seen during a summer since I've been involved with the post-2003 CM.
While I was on Kuiper Belt, I noticed that both the Rocket and the West Double were running and being worked on.
Lights were on, so I assume they were doing some PM on the electrical system.
Assuming that CM can staff up to run the lifts this winter, I'm seeing a return to pre-COVID normalcy. Deferred maintenance that is being done, which will give the area a look that this ski area that is cared about and is not run-down!
rickbolger
joshua_segal;c-56314 wroteWhile I was on Kuiper Belt, I noticed that both the Rocket and the West Double were running and being worked on.
you must have really good eyesight! :D :D :D
sorry, it's summer. can't help it
joshua_segal
rickbolger;c-56315 wrotejoshua_segal;c-56314 wroteWhile I was on Kuiper Belt, I noticed that both the Rocket and the West Double were running and being worked on.
you must have really good eyesight! :D :D :D
sorry, it's summer. can't help it
From outer space - no. But from CM's Kuiper Belt, one can see the moving chairs through the trees and hear the noise of the haul rope on the shivs. As for the double, I saw it moving on my way back home from Kuiper Belt as opposed to seeing or hearing it from Kuiper Belt.
NELSBEER
That is Joshua you are talking to, I wouldn't be surprised to see him riding up and getting a few turfing turns in! And your eyesight comment is true, ask Joshua about that!
Summer Stuff:
They also cleaned out some old stuff in the boneyard, a bunch of the original wood slat chairs from the "WEST" Hall Double are now lined up outside the base lodge. Some will be rehabbed for mountain use. Rumor has it any leftovers may be auctioned (later) to benefit local EMS or other services. Too early to call about this, they just finished dragging them out.
Update on the "VALLEY" lift, the cable is not being replaced. The cable will be re-spliced to take out stretching since it was replaced about 10 years ago,
Next Season:
Ski Patrol has been advised to expect normal 7 day weekly schedule, 9-9 daily except 9-5 Sunday with all lifts available (as needed). Some flavor of mid-night Madness as well, probably dependent on how staffing works out.
Crotched apparently will see the VAIL $20.00 per hour starting wage starting in the fall, not bad for a second job or a place for a kid's first job.
All we need is a popcorn machine & a Mug Club...
tedede
joshua_segal;c-56316 wrote...hear the noise of the haul rope on the shivs...
Sheaves are pulley wheels, shivs are weapons often used in prison.
joshua_segal
tedede;c-56318 wrotejoshua_segal;c-56316 wrote...hear the noise of the haul rope on the shivs...
Sheaves are pulley wheels, shivs are weapons often used in prison.
Wow! Nailed by the grammar police - casting a "spell" :D
NELSBEER
While Joshua is getting hoisted on his petard, err Shiv, by Ted (its all just patrol love), the Crotched Summer crew is busily going through all the lights on the hill bringing everything to higher standards. New brighter lights with bigger bulbs & new ballasts are going in the parking lots, the tower lights will all be the bigger brighter 1,000 watt bulbs and trail lights will all work by the start of the season. A number of places where cables have been broken & patched in the past are being properly redone & buried deeper.
The regulars are holding their breathes and crossing their fingers, its starting to look like the good old days when everything was open & everything works may be returning.
Quietman
Why wouldn't they switch to LED's while they are at it? I know that they don't pay the same rates that consumers do, but our consumer rates in NH are going up 30-40% next month.
NELSBEER
There has been some talk about LED's or even more advanced lighting in the past, maybe the parking lot lights are more advanced? (Third hand grape vine reports don't always retain all the technical details). There has been a longstanding desire to upgrade indoor lighting as well. What we get is what the budget allows for now.
From what we are learning about Vail's practices there is a chance that when they do choose to do power/lighting upgrades they will do all the Northeast or more at once on a single standard as part of a wide ranging effort {purely my opinion, no evidence aside from observation}.
Vail is trying to be responsible on the energy/carbon front so such changes may not be long coming. In the meantime enjoy our well lighted night skiing this season.
Quietman
Thanks! Having all of the lights working on the trails will be a plus regardless of the type of light.
newpylong
Correct me if I am wrong but Crotched already has Fluorescent trail fixtures do they not? If that is the case the payback period for replacing with LEDs could be quite large. When going from MH or Sodium to LED is where it makes the most sense, especially if the number of night skiing hours is high. It certainly is nice to only have to troubleshoot voltage and the fixture and not a ballast though in the middle of winter. Those are annoying to replace 20 feet in the air with numb fingers.
tedede
I believe they are metal halide bulbs in the 750-1000 watt range, which are reasonably efficient once they warm up. I suspect, like Nelson, that when they do LED upgrades they will do them in a coordinated bulk purchase. But with a labor shortage and supply chain issues, they are focused on bringing what we have up to snuff. We have a snow cat with a bucket to handle the replacements.
newpylong
You are probably right, now that I think of it, I remember the typically MH color variations from orangish to clear white last I night skied there.
We had all MH (150-400 watt) and when we did our energy analysis, the payback did not actually make sense due due to the low number of night ski hours we had and yeah once they warm up, MH is pretty efficient despite the high wattage. That and we had around 75 fixtures to replace.
It definitely would be a big project with all the fixtures they need to do, definitely better to fix the ballasts and wiring for short money on what they have and go from there.
Despite the fact that I never get down there, Crotched still holds a place for me as I got married there. Glad to hear there is potential to returning to somewhat normal operations.
NELSBEER
The MH fixtures are apparently really cheap to run once on, $25-$50 per hour at CM depending on rates. Crotched uses 500 & 1,000 watt Bulbs that are not cheap. You need to buy good ones to resist shaking from the wind and on lift towers.
Last winter when the hill was down to one groomer many nights (vs. 3 usual season) the lights were frequently left on all night to facilitate getting finished with a descent surface by opening time. It was a stretch freeing people up to replace lightbulbs too, the usual suspects were loading lifts!
The groomer shortage also accounted for the more than normal number of 'natural' trails & sections of trails. They were even training the ski patrol director to be a groomer operator.
2021-2022 will definitely be a 'remember when' year for CM....
joshua_segal
July 20, 2022 - Weds.
If you're unvaccinated and looking for a job, Vail has dropped its vaccine mandate for the 2022-3 season.
As nelsbeer indicated, work continues on the mountain. The full-time staff is working 10-hour days from Monday thru Thursday. Like nelsbeer, I am excited about the possibilities of a great season at CM.
oldsnowboarderme
I plan to return to the mountain this winter and hope for a more normal operating schedule this coming season. I am in my 70's now but I still enjoy strapping on the board. I would say my screen name applies more now.
joshua_segal
oldsnowboarderme;c-56430 wroteI plan to return to the mountain this winter and hope for a more normal operating schedule this coming season. I am in my 70's now but I still enjoy strapping on the board. I would say my screen name applies more now.
I could tell your age just by your use of the term "strapping on the board". But we can schuss the green circles, wedel the blue squares and to be sure we fill in our sitzmarks :)
oldsnowboarderme
Actually, I still use the old Burton Step-in system and blacks are still in my range. I just don't go as fast as I used to ... 25 mph is about my comfort level now. I skid my turns a little more now but I still try to carve.
Quietman
Just noticed this added to the job postings at the Crotch today.
Senior Manager of Resort Operations
Date: Aug 17, 2022
Location: Francestown, NH, US
Company: Crotched Mountain
Shift Type: Year Round
Come work and play in the mountains! Whether it’s your first time seeing snow or you were born on the slopes, joining our team means discovering (or re-discovering!) a passion for the outdoors while building lifelong connections with teammates and guests from around the world.
With 40+ resorts across 3 continents, you can join our team for a season or stay to build a career. From day one, you'll receive some of the highest compensation rates in the industry, free Epic pass(es) along with free ski and snowboard lessons, 40% retail discounts, the chance to grow through Epic Service - our leading training and development program, and wellness benefits to fuel your success.
Join us to create your Experience of a Lifetime!
Job Benefits
Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons
MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, mountain shuttles AND during the summer on bike haul, golf and other activities
401(k) Retirement Plan
Employee Assistance Program
Excellent training and professional development
Referral Program
Seasonal Full Time roles are eligible for the above, plus:
Health Insurance; Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance plans (after eligible employees work 500 hours)
Free ski passes for dependents
Critical Illness and Accident plans
Job Specifications:
Housing: Not available
Outlet: Crotched Mountain
Schedule & Shift Availability: Year Round / Full Time
Job Summary:
The Senior Manager of Mountain Operations will provide leadership, management and direction to the following mountain operations departments; Lift Operations, Lift Maintenance, Fleet Vehicle Maintenance, Grooming, Snowmaking, Summer Trail Crew and Ski Patrol. This position will ensure the overall success of the mountain in terms of the following: safety performance, staff development, daily operations, project management and on mountain planning, capital projects and strategies that will drive the guest and employee experience.
Job Responsibilities:
Oversee the management and administration of operations to produce an exceptional guest and employee experience
Successfully recruit, hire, coach, motivate and develop a high performing management team. Ensure management team and subordinates are aligned with Vail Resorts goals, values and core competencies. Develop leaders within the scope of this position’s responsibility to improve leadership within current roles and prepare them for increased responsibility/accountability.
Be a leader in the effort to improve safety within mountain operations with the goal of reducing/eliminating worker and guest injury. Coordinate closely with Health & Safety regarding the same.
Lead the effort to reduce snowmobile use and fleet size to eliminate incidents surrounding snowmobile travel
Accountable for mountain operations goals while contributing to overall resort, corporate goals and initiatives
Create and oversee departmental budgets while tracking performance to expectations
Create a positive work culture that has an unwavering commitment to providing an Experience of a Lifetime for each and every guest, constant improvement, and where every employee is proud to work for Crotched Mountain and Vail Resorts.
Build strong, positive relationships with key managers outside the scope of direct reports
Maintain an “expert level” status of mountain operations functions, being proactive with industry trends within Vail Resorts and within the industry as a whole. Bringing those trends forward for a possible fit for Crotched Mountain
Lead Manager on Duty responsibilities for all lines of business and engage in each area of the business not directly related to mountain operations.
Actively participate in assigned best practice groups.
Lead departments with capital planning, implementation and project management.
Prioritize and adapt in a constantly changing business and environmental setting
Increase operational efficiency and effectiveness through on-going communication and cooperation with mountain operations departments
Ensure company and employee communications are provided on a regular basis
Job Requirements:
Minimum 5 years of experience in mountain operations
5 years or more experience in a leadership role managing multiple departments
Valid driver’s license
Strong knowledge of desktop computer and applications – Microsoft office applications
Strong communication skills including verbal & written
Strong financial management, strong communication, leadership and team building skills, intermediate skiing/riding ability, must be able to work in extreme weather conditions (winter/summer)
Positive, solutions-oriented leadership
High school education or equivalent, some college preferred
The budgeted range starts at $63,900 - $76,700 + annual bonus. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience.
