Page 46 - 81643_NSAA_Vol26Is3Conv_WEB_rev052918

for
building’s possible uses across all seasons. PASSION SNOWMAKING
In advising our partner resorts on future development,
the SNOW Operating team has found that open floor plans
with modular walls and easily removable dividers can help
to maximize flexibility and allow for more easy changeovers
from season to season, or when you decide you want to
change your guest experience process down the road.
For example, at Blue Mountain in Pennsylvania, the
Frontier Learning Center building doubles as a bunkhouse
for camp programs in the summer season. And at Mountain
Creek in New Jersey, the children’s center transforms into a
A pint-sized VIP does the honors at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Taos’ retail store for waterpark guests in the warm-weather months.
new Pulse Gondola, which links the resort’s revamped learning terrain and Probably one of the best examples of children’s center
children’s center with the base area—one of many strategic changes to
completely re-imagine the beginner complex. Taos Ski Valley design with multi-use and multi-family member appeal is
the Adventure Center at Stowe, Vt. The center is home to
not only the children’s lesson and daycare programs but also
When asked why Taos is investing so heavily into its retail, dining, an indoor climbing wall, a movie theater, and a
resources for families and beginners, Burt Skall, the resort’s bowling alley—all of which operate in all four seasons.
director of snowsports, replied: “Kids are IT! We need to When it comes to investing in the physical space,
inspire children and families to create lifelong snowsports the first question often is, “How big should we make it?”
enthusiasts. Being able to share our sports in a fun, safe, easy, Clearly, that is up to each resort to decide but is most often
and exciting environment has been instrumental to our guest driven by budgets. The unfortunate reality is that budgets
experience and increasing our business.” may not always be in line with an area’s expectations of the
finished result. Cut risks,
2. Design the space with an eye on “At the completion of nearly every children’s center
flexibility so it can easily accommodate project we have done—and once the client sees the building
future developments, if needed, as well as put to use—the client always says to me, ‘We should have
multi-season, multi-generational use. built it bigger,’” says SE Group’s Humber. reap rewards

Investing in a building is no small undertaking for OPTIMIZING YOUR PROCESSES TO
any resort. The last thing you want to do is restrict its ROI INCREASE CAPACITY & EFFICIENCY with automated
potential by pigeon-holing it into one particular use or a spe- Clearly, not every resort is in the position where it can invest
cific layout. When it comes to designing the interior layout in changing or expanding facilities. When changing your
snowmaking!
snowmaking!
of the children’s center, be sure to take into account all your physical space isn’t an option, looking at your program’s

Embracing New Technologies – flaik

Many people say that if there’s one area our industry is woefully behind flaik: “Although flaik has been primarily known for GPS tracking services
the curve on, it’s embracing new technology. Have you tried booking a ski of students, it has been very progressive and innovative in developing
lesson, or any ski vacation products online recently? Yeah, we have some software for backside snowsport school management. They have the
work to do…. ability to create metrics to provide actionable data that can really help set A fully automated system means snowmaking crews are less likely
Promisingly, there are a handful of new and emerging companies waypoints and steer a school.” to encounter dangerous conditions, including high-pressure water and air.
that are looking to push us collectively forward. One such company Beckwith says Killington has worked with the company to develop
is an Australian-based technology company called flaik, which builds personal NPS scores for staff members, training program management, Automation improves the guest experience by keeping snowmobiles
software and hardware tools that make managing ski school back-of-house scheduling and information management, class data with regards to ratios and and manual equipment off the slopes.
processes easier. Flaik’s real-time GPS tracking of guests and instructors distribution of ability levels, and easy use reporting, among other resources.
as well as behind-the-scenes process management make it especially Other resorts currently using flaik include Steamboat Resort and Our automated snowmaking is the smart choice for employee safety,
interesting for children’s programs. Telluride Resort (CO); Smuggler’s Notch (VT); Taos Ski Valley (NM); and training and retention.
Dave Beckwith, director of snowsports and golf for Vermont’s Whistler-Blackcomb (BC). Check out the company’s arrival day program at
Killington Resort, had this to say about why Killington chose to implement the National Convention in Marco Island, Fla., to learn more.—HR
For further information on snowmaking systems, please visit
www.technoalpin.com
44 | NSAA JOURNAL | CONVENTION 2018