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SKI AREAS EMBRACING CHAIRLIFT VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

However, surveillance is not always a viable option, gy rather than boring PowerPoint training—the surveillance
either given competing capital considerations, technologi- footage is an effective form of education and communication
cal limitations, or even from a philosophical standpoint. It for not only lift departments but also ski instructors and race
should be emphasized, however, that rarely are surveillance clubs that sometimes face challenges when helping children
cameras mandated by law or other standards—some auto- load and unload lifts, or even manage horseplay.
mated teller machines, night clubs in Manhattan, and conve- For example, such video footage has been used to train
nience stores in New Mexico are some of the few businesses employees on unique circumstances, such as entangled
mandated to have surveillance cameras. backpacks, adaptive skiers, restraint bars down as lifts come
around the bullwheel, and congestion challenges. Video can
also be helpful for better understanding children loading
HOW CAN SURVEILLANCE BE USED FOR EMPLOYEE TRAINING? issues, monitoring employee use of cell phones, and guest
courtesy and engagement. There is a wealth of great take-
Video surveillance can provide footage of instances in which aways from such footage.
employees acted responsibly, or irresponsibly, in loading Likewise, ski areas using lift surveillance are also realizing
or unloading situations, and the areas can selectively save that cameras actually inspire improved quality of perfor-
some of the footage to use in pre-season training for new lift mance for lift attendants. Once attendants understand that
attendants as well as immediate feedback in morning meet- their lift terminals are videotaped, they may self-adjust their
ings. Given the typical age of our industry’s lift attendants— behaviors to be more attentive to daily protocols and prac-
younger and therefore more receptive to video and technolo- tices. For example, some ski areas have anecdotally reported

38 | NSAA JOURNAL | CONVENTION 2017