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Mentor Program is to increase retention and career satisfaction finished months ago, but we still get together to discuss how
of female employees by facilitating one-on-one learning and things are going for me and I know that we’ll be friends for life.”
professional development opportunities. Mentees are selected This program has been a great success, with over 70 percent
through a formal application process, which includes iden- of mentees advancing in their careers. More broadly, this pro-
tifying goals, expectations, and leadership competencies gram can be used as a guide for the successful implementation
they would like to address within the program. This ensures of a formal mentoring program for any ski area of any size.
mentees are properly matched with mentors who have For those ski areas not yet ready to implement their own
experience in the desired areas of improvement, while also mentoring program, SAM Magazine offers its Summit Series,
having compatible career interests and personalities. Once which selects 10 future leaders from a pool of applicants
matched, mentors and mentees are left to build their rela- and matches them with current industry leaders. Mentees
tionship over a nine to 12 month period, with the focus of participate in group listening sessions where mentors share
sessions often extending beyond the workplace to assist with their experiences as it relates to key topic areas such as risk
the development of life skills such as negotiation, emotional management, sustainability, finance, and the future of the
intelligence and team management. industry. Mentees are then invited to participate in related
Kate McGuinness, Director of Resort Guest Services at “deep dive” activities provided by Colorado State University’s
Snowbird, and a previous mentee of the Camber Outdoors Ski Area Management Program that encourage reflection and
program, speaks of her experience: application of what has been learned.
“I’d just been promoted into a new role leading a newly Meghan Wilcock, a participant of the 2018–19 Summit
created division in the company. My mentoring goals were to Series, explained that the ability to connect with senior managers
build a new leadership team and develop a new culture and has helped her better envision her own future in the industry.
communication protocols for the division. My mentor was an “Hearing my mentor’s stories, challenges, and unexpected
expert in strategic culture management and so the match was turns helped me to visualize where I may want to go and that
perfect. Not only did we achieve all of the mentoring goals, this is a viable path to take,” she said.
but we had a lot of fun along the way. The mentoring program
Continuing Education
Given the rate of change within the industry and the need
for new skills and knowledge to keep pace, continuing edu-
cation is another important leadership development tool. In
THE FUTURE OF SNOW addition to PSIA-AASI instructor certifications and NSAA

seminars and conferences, technological advancements have
increased the variety of educational options to suit differ-
ent learning styles, employee needs, and ski area budgets.
Online learning modules are one example, like the PSIA-
AASI courses on how to deliver the beginner experience and
alpine and snowboard level one curriculums to its members,
as well as a new introductory course for anyone interested
in becoming an instructor. Podcasts are another great educa-
tional tool, with SAM Magazine’s PodSAM and PSIA-AASI’s
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM First Chair covering topic areas including leadership devel-
TO START YOUR SEASON ON TIME opment and improving the beginner experience. Webinars
are another avenue, with Outdoor Industry Association
(OIA) and Camber Outdoors providing engaging sessions
– THE CONTROL SOFTWARE FOR FULLY
AUTOMATED SNOWMAKING SYSTEMS THAT HELPS YOU TO KNOW: on leadership and management best practices. Ted Talks can
WHEN TO MAKE SNOW > efficiently use snowmaking & weather opportunities also be a source of inspiration, exposing employees to differ-
WHERE TO MAKE SNOW > informing you where snow is needed
HOW MUCH SNOW YOU NEED > saving time, water and power ent perspectives and ideas from outside of the ski industry.
Many of these webinars, presentations, and podcasts can be
accessed for little to no cost.
Some ski areas have invested in their own educational
demaclenko.com
programs for their current and future leaders. This ranges
from specific manager training to more comprehensive

66 | NSAA JOURNAL | SUMMER 2019