Not quite mid-December, but still pretty good!

It will come.

I have been hearing a lot of talk about snow so far this season.  At this same time last year we had most of the mountain open.  This year is a little bit different, but keep in mind, we've only been open for 1 week so far!  We've got a great amount of terrain open for being 7 days into normal operation, and we're looking to open new lifts all the time.

Don't worry about the snow, be patient. 
It will come.

In the meantime, we're going to need everyone to do some cold weather dances or something. I do enjoy the sunny warm weather, but it has no place in Colorado in December!

In other news, we have our second training class going through extensive lift training in Golden Peak this week!  We expect them to hit the mountain starting tomorrow.  The first training class is now running the lifts with skill and ease and will be great teachers to all of the new guys!

Opening day at Vail

I'm glad other people make so many videos, because we are busy running lifts! Chair 2 opens on Wednesday. If we just get a little more snow, we will get a lot more terrain. Start with the snow dances!

What a week! Opening Day 2011

It has been a wild and crazy week here at Vail.  We have graduated 84 lift operators through our training course.  We have learned how to run the lifts, maintain our ramps, met new friends, and enjoyed living in Vail.  The team has gotten a few lifts fully ready to open, and a few more lifts ready to go at a moments' notice.  The level of intensity leading up to Opening Day is very similar to the few last days of summer before starting school back when you were a kid.

It finally happened. We opened. The lifts ran, and people were able to enjoy the snow again. It is a great feeling when you load the first batch of guests onto a chairlift for the first time. Whether you are working or out for a few turns on a sunny Friday, the incredible build up is released into a happy greeting from a lift operator or a high-five as you're leaving the terminal on your way up for the first turns of the year.

Here is the TV star, Chair 8 crew just before that moment:

Thanks in advance for a great year guys!

Go watch the hot new film!

Go check it out!
PS - Moe's is delicious.

Tuesday - $3 Employee Meals!

Its Tuesday, and you know what that means?  Employee Dinner night!  I'm not sure what we're having tonight but it is guaranteed to be delicious and filling.  Dinner is at 5pm - 7pm at the Golden Peak Grill, which is located in the downstairs of the Golden Peak Lodge (just below Chair 6).  Bring $3 and your employee pass!

For $3 you get an entree, a drink, and some dessert.  You can also purchase beer (sometimes wine) for a little bit extra!

Hard at Work

Vail really is an incredible place to work. There are so many benefits. Just today I got to be at the top of Gold Peak as the sun was rising. It never gets old seeing the valley light up with a bunch of new snow covering everything.

Check out the crash 2 minutes into the video. That kid knows how to fall. If he stretched his arms out, he probably would have dislocated both shoulders. He was not landing in deep POW. That was basically frozen ground. You gotta tuck them arms in. Don't FOOSH! The stronger your shoulders are before those falls happen, the less chance of injury.

Travel safely!

We know that a bunch of you guys are headed towards the mountains right now.  We hope you're ready for an incredible winter.  Take your time getting here and be safe!

Here is what is in store for this evening:

Up the creek without a paddle....

With 21 days until Vail opens!! (can I get a woop woop?!) We are hoping everyone is well underway with their ski conditioning programs......Don't forget an important part of excersising is muscle recovery.

If an ice bath sounds too intense you can always go stand in a cold creek like Michelle!!

SnowDaze 2011 lineup

Did you know that Vail has a winter concert weekend called Snow Daze?

Is that legendary Twisted Sister lead singer Dee Snyder?  Why yes it is.  He played with Yukon Kornelius last year.

Heres the lineup for this year:
  
Yukon Kornelius, Jakob Dylan and His Band, Guster and the Polish Ambassador To Headline Vail Snow Daze 2011 Musical Lineup

 
· Vail Snow Daze Dec. 5-11, 2011 in Vail, Colo.
· Guster in concert Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011
· Jakob Dylan and his band in concert Friday, Dec. 9, 2011
· Yukon Kornelius in concert Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011
· The Polish Ambassador in concert Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011
· Admission to all Vail Snow Daze 2011 concerts and events is free

BAM! Winter!

Here's the early pictures of what winter looks like!

Thanks to my friends on facebook for taking great pictures for me to steal!

This Guys LOVES His Job!

And doesn't care who knows it!



He has lift op written all over him! Just change the broom for a shovel.

I definitely know how he feels. I might be doing a little dancing myself tomorrow morning. We've got snow coming!

Sitcom Your Way to Better Abs!

Some planking can quickly turn into a bad situation, or situation comedy as the case may be.

When planks are performed in your living room, it's just a good core workout.

Maybe pick up a fitness ball for some other easy home exercises. These are great for improving balance and core strength.

Remember, the better shape you're in, the more fun you get to have all winter long!

Big Days!

You definitely don't want to go home when everyone else is going big. This fall's weather is pretty much a copy of last year. As you can see from video, those big days will start coming right off the bat.

Get Training!

Don't forget the cheeks. There will be excessive smiling!

Basketball, swimming, rock climbing!

Physical fitness is an incredibly important part of being a Lift Operator.  We want you to be "strong like ox" so that you can make it through the rigors of a 150+ day ski season. 

There are a number of gyms in Vail that you can use when you get here:

Vail Aria Club and Spa - around $75 for a monthly employee membership

Vail Athletic Club

Avon Recreation Center

??? HOUSING ???

Employee Housing is filling up. Don't Worry.

There's still plenty of options in the Valley. We've done a little research and here are some alterantives.

TIMBER RIDGE
But that's employee housing right? Yes, but the complex is owned by the Town of Vail, and they have units you can rent directly though their property managment company, Corum.

They offer 6 month and year leases. Year leases are cheaper. I only got info on the 6 month lease.

They have 2 bedroom appartments. Rent is $1190/month. You can have up to 4 people. Everyone living there will need to pass a background criminal and credit check at a cost of $50/person before you can move in. They are unfurnished and utilities are not included.

RIVER RUN
This complex is privately owned and was used for some of our employee housing last winter. It is located about 5 miles west of Vail on the Eagle County bus route. They have ample parking. The units are unfurnished and don't include utilities.

They offer year leases, but will do short term leases for an additional $150/month.

The offer 1 to 3 bedroom appartments ranging from $930 - $1465. To move in you would need first month's rent plus a deposit.

MIDDLE CREEK
This place is probably the most expensive of affordable places in town, but it's only a 10 minute walk to the locker room.

They only have year leases. The units are unfurnished and don't include utilities. Studios start at $883 and you need deposit of $1500 bucks.

INDIVIDUAL ROOMS
Craigslist and the Vail Daily Classifieds are good options to find someone looking for a roommate.

FURNITURE
There are cheap solutions.

There is a Super Walmart in Avon where you can get all kinds of affordable furniture. Think air mattress.

You can find yard sales in the Vail Daily Classifieds and craigslist.

There is a thrifty store in Edwards, 15 miles west of Vail, that has loads of affordable, used furnishings.

A Basin Today!

Loveland Tomorrow!

Colorado is firing up! Are you ready?

It's never too late for ski/ride conditioning.

A Basin!

More skiing opens in Colorado!

A sneak peak of 1st Chair housing comlex

So here you have it... the bedroom also has a desk and built in wardrobe that you cant see from this pic......pretty awesome kitchen and living room and every floor has a laundry/vending room just like this!!!

Located bang splat in the middle of Lionshead village - 10min walk/free bus ride on the intown away from our locker room in Vail Village!!

Remember there is NO PARKING at this facility....although with the largest free bus system around who needs a car anyway??!!!!

The Art of FLIGHT - Trailer

Extra! Extra!

Here are a couple of news stories via the Vail Daily:

Wolf Creek to open for skiing Saturday, Sunday

 

Weather advisory in effect for Vail area

 

 

Am I gunna have to live in my car?

Nope. You'd never find a place to park it. Sell it and use the ca$h for gear! At training you'll find out about great deals at Vail Sports.

Employee housing info went out today! Check your emails.

Here's a video we made last fall showcasing Timber Ridge.



All employee housing comes with similar furnishings to what you see in the video. Lifties have three choices this season. A big change this winter is that everyone will have their own room at all the Employee Housing Properties.

Timber Ridge is in Vail, about 2 miles west of the ski area. The majority of lift ops live there. It's on the free town of Vail bus route. Parking is very limited. You don't need a car out here. Notice a theme?

Rivers Edge in Avon. If you're bringing a car, this is where you want to be. Everyone can have a car at Rivers Edge. Eagle County buses service Rivers Edge.

First Chair is brand new. It's right in Lions Head. Maybe a two minute walk to the Gondola. There's not many spots in there, and there is no parking. (theme)

It can't be just lifts spinning around.

We'd get too dizzy. Ha!

Somebody recently asked me what the scene was like in Vail. Well, there is a lot that goes on here. Vail is like a metropolis as far as ski towns go. Snow Daze is the first big party that Vail puts on. Snow dependent, it coincides with the opening of the whole enchilada.

That video is from last year's Snow Daze. I think you might be able to figure out why I'm ichin' for mid December.

Ski Movies!!! (three exclaimation points)

Yes. Fall is a beautiful time of year up here in the mountains. But really I wish it was mid December, filling up, cold, deep, and nuking!

Until then I'll just have to settle for some ski movie trailers. Most movies come through town up here and have a big movie night party to go with em. They're always lots of fun, plenty of giveaways, and the powder stoke is through the roof! Sometimes the pros show up. Definitely worth catching one or two, you know, if you're not too tired from making you're own that day!

This is the one I'm waiting for. Might have to go over to Summit County to see it though. Damn you Oakley! Oh wait. I love Oakley.

How many have you thought?

One of my all time favorites. I think I've thought em all, except of course the hair line.

One thing for sure is that "those lifties look like they're having fun."

Gentlemen, start your beards!

So I'm not sure if you guys know this, but Vail has a facial hair policy.  I won't waste your time quoting the employee handbook, but it pretty much says you have to look good (according to our resident Conclave of Beard Czars).  In order to make sure you're looking good for the winter season, you need to start growing facial hair now!  Here's the thing:  You can always shave it off, but you can't grow it later if it isn't already there.

This one might be a bit much.














If you can't grow a beard, you can always buy a beard hat!

Fall is here but not for long......50 days until Opening day in Vail!!!!!

Another beautiful day in paradise! just one of our 300+ days of sunshine a year.

Summer Vail

People always ask, "whats it like in Vail, in the summer? Do you see any animals?" The answer is yes, all the time. That being said... summer is about over... time for some SNOW. Are you ready?

Fall in the Rockies

There are certainly some places that look neat in autumn.  Vail is no exception.

Yesterday was our last day of summer operations.  I'm a little sad to see summer go, but it just means winter is coming!

62 days!

62 days until opening day.  Where did the time go?  It seemed like just yesterday when School's Out was playing in my mind, and everyone was leaving town at the end of last April.

Octoberfest! Snow!

And it's only September!!!

There's not a lot up there. But if you look up behind the clock tower, the Gore got some snow last night. Fall is in the air.

Have you started your ski conditioning? -Leo

Oktoberfest in September

It is Oktoberfest in Vail, except its only September!  I guess the powers that be decided that it would be more fun to have Oktoberfest in September, while there are still some people in town for summertime.

Heres a shot of the festivities:

I'm not sure if they're real life germans or not.

-Chris

Its that time again!

Time to start updating the blog.  I'm hoping to get a handful more bloggers in here this year, with more content, more pictures, and more updates!

If anyone is interested in being a guest blogger, please get in contact with me.

We're getting geared up for the winter season, and we're using technology to do it.  Here is a shot of our new Skype interview studio:

Can you guys find the error on the vintage Blue Sky Basin trail sign that we're using for our backdrop?  We're hoping our new Skype interviews will help us get the best lift operators ever.  It will be hard to beat last year's crew though.  Who is up to the challenge?