Friday, October 30, 2009

Korean Ski Resorts

By Taeho Park

Colorado has been famous for long time because of its great environment for winter sports. The land is located in the Rocky Mountain area where it is covered by fresh powder snow every winter, and since it snows a lot, Colorado's mountains and fields have become a skier's paradise. Basically, every winter sport, imaginable, can be enjoyable in this blessed land. However, there are also plenty of ski areas in the world, and they operate in quite a different style in contrast to Colorado. Ergo, much can be compared between Asian ski areas, specifically Korean ski areas, and Colorado ski areas.



Korea is known as second largest and most popular ski area in the Asia. The biggest reason for this is most Asian countries are affected by South Eastern Asia's exclusive warm climate. Consequently, the people who live in those areas visit Korea to experience real snow and winter sports. The climate of Korea is quite different compared to Colorado. Korea is in a monsoon climate and has four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. Korea has nearly twenty ski resorts, and interestingly, most major ski areas are located in Gangwon-do, one of the eight states of South Korea, because of its suitable skiing environment. The area of Gangwon-do is 16,894 km², of which four-fifths are mountain area and woodlands. There are a variety of well developed leisure sports which gives a tremendous experience every season. Winter officially begins in December, and it goes to end of March; skiing season lasts approximately four months. However, since the area gets massive snows in winter, Gangwon-do becomes the most popular place to enjoy winter sports in Korea. Korea has several indoor ski areas, but they cannot replace outdoor mountain skiing because of their lack of reality. Alpine skiing and snowboarding are the two dominating major winter sports, but Telemark skiing, Nordic and new-school skiing, and other minor winter sports are increasing at the moment.                  





 In winter, Korean ski areas do not expect the same amount of natural snow that Colorado ski areas expect. Of course, Colorado ski areas have started to worry about less snow since new millennium, but Korean ski areas have a more severe problem: running ski resorts without natural snows. Additionally, most ski areas are not big and wide enough, except couple of major ski resorts, to hold large amounts of people and major winter events, such as X-Game or Winter Olympics. Therefore, Korean ski areas focus more on facilities than Colorado ski areas. For example, most Korean ski areas are equipped with newer snow making machines, which make quality snow above the freezing point. They also perform thorough grooming on every ski runs which is unusual, compared to Colorado. This various elements show noticeable differences between Korean ski areas and Colorado ski areas. Naturally, Korean skiers are trained to ski on well-groomed artificial snows, so they tend to possess carving skiing skills and are not fond of natural powder snows. Not having snow and a natural environment are seemingly impossible to overcome, but Korean ski areas are finding their own way to survive.;

Korean ski areas are tending to obtain newer facilities. The Korean ski resorts' chair-lift could be the most significant difference when compared to ski areas in Colorado. Almost all Korean ski areas are running at least quadruple detachable lift as an average model, even in some minor ski areas on the small mountains. Furthermore, nearly all major ski resorts have very new gondolas or 8 seats detachable lift systems, even though their mountains are not significantly bigger than Colorado Mountains. Ironically, these are hardly seen in Colorado ski areas, even with gigantic mountain size. Unbelievably, fixed-grip lift system and most old school surface lifts, such as t-bar and j-bar, eventually vanish. As a result, most young Korean generations have not even seen Bull-wheel or any type of bar or tow lifts. The reason for this surprising passion towards a new machine occurred because of their capacity. They have limited space for ski areas, but extremely huge numbers of skiers are visiting in their peak season. The ski areas do not want to hold the impatient Korean skiers in the long line to the lift. Consequently, Korean ski areas try to carry the skiers quickly and safely to the top of the mountain. However, large numbers of skiers wait in long lines, and this problem happens every weekend in Korean ski areas, despite the ski areas' enormous efforts. This could be the problem the Korean ski areas need to solve.          






 Korean ski areas have also developed a very remarkable marketing system for their sophisticated local skiers. Mostly, the ski areas are located in the north part of Korea; this area is not easy to access, especially in the winter. This handicap made the ski areas desperate; subsequently, they created a very localized transportation system. They run shuttle buses to almost every major city in Korea and this bus system especially spotlights Seoul, the capital city of Korea, where virtually 10 million people live. In addition, the ski areas cooperate with the train service. As a result, they made specialized trip packages to the ski resorts. Ergo, almost all Korean people who want to enjoy winter sports can easily visit the ski resorts, and the ski areas have overcome their biggest handicap.


The ski areas also provide vouchers or coupons through the internet and wireless network, so people with a cell phone, roughly 90% of Koreans, can simply take advantage. Many ski resorts have their own customers' community clubs on the internet, which are usually created by the loyal customers, and offer them free space to relax and keep their gear for free. Night skiing is not so strange anymore in Colorado too, but every ski resort in Korea is offering nights skiing; moreover, some of them are running their ski areas until 5 am. Every major ski area offers modernized facilities and array of reliable and comfortable accommodations.

Another considerable difference with Korea ski areas is multi-faceted business system. They are trying to become multi-business resorts that have a ski area as a part of their system. They do not want to have only ski areas in their resorts, but also require huge water parks or a compact amusement park or casino. These facilities could be very unique features that Colorado ski areas do not have yet. Also, these non-skiing resort facilities are certainly appealing to all generations, especially those who do not enjoy skiing or snowboarding. Moreover, these multi-business ski resorts require a big supermarket, fast-food chains, fitness center, sauna, bowling alley, game room, conference room, daycare center, night club, bar, singing room, Korean/Western restaurants, sports shop, photo studio, souvenir shop, PC room, art shop, and kid's playground mixed in with the ski resorts. These features automatically imply that Korean ski areas are trying to transform to total family vacation resorts.                  

At this time, most ski areas in the world are struggling really hard to create new revenue models. Unfortunately, Colorado ski areas cannot be exempt from this harsh truth, despite the perfect natural environment for winter sports. Korean ski resorts are also dealing with many critical dilemmas. An economic disaster drives people to be more careful with money, and numbers of new recreational activities, such as traveling, are becoming a real thorn in the ski industry's side. Nevertheless, Korean ski areas are not giving up and are trying to fight against with those threats. Colorado ski areas also need to discover a better and innovative way to recapture the golden age of skiing.




Sources:


Wikipedia: article about the ski resorts < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_resorts>

Visit Korea: Korea tour guide < http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto>


Gangwon-do Tourism Information brochure


Pictures:

Daemyung Vivaldi Park

High one ski resorts

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Ski Area Operations Risk Management

By Cory Gard

One of the most important classes you can take while participating in the Ski Area Operations program at CMC is Risk Management.  The majority of classes offered are intended to introduce you to the various aspects of ski area operations and are followed with labs and On the Job Training (OJT) hours. Risk management is not something that you want to learn OJT, being proactive is always the best practice.  Most upper level management routinely preaches safety and then pushes productivity and cost reduction.

Risk management involves both the guests and employees. As a manager it may become easy to get caught up in day to day operations and forget that prevention may take a few extra minutes now, but will save a lot of headaches in the long run.  Another reason that it is important for management to be proactive in risk management is workers compensation is very expensive for companies. Employees often don't know what benefits they are entitled so the easier management makes it for them to get taken care of, the quicker the employee can return (and want to return) to work.

Remember, taking a few extra minutes now will save you several hours (and lots of paperwork) later.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Ski Area Operations at Colorado Mountain College

By Zac Schrieber


When you say you are going to be going to college for Ski Area Operations degree who are not involved in the ski industry just laugh and say I didn't know there was college for ski bums. It's true though, everyone in the program loves the skiing or riding so much we all want it to be a part of our lives forever. Even when you explain to other "normal" college students they just laugh when you tell them you are driving a snow cat or making snow for class but they do not realize the experience SAO students get and how well respected the program is in the industry. Anyone graduating from the program has more experience than somebody trying to join the industry off the streets, but most managers at resorts want employees to learn their job on the job. What I realized this year when I went to an interview this year was that it was not only the experiences that I have gained but the commitment the program shows a person has to the ski industry. If you have studied and paid for two years of schooling you are pretty committed to our industry and are probably not just a ski bum who is here for the season. A Ski Area Operations student could explain to someone who doesn't realize why someone would pay for school to be a ski bum that the average American works 86,000 hours in their life why wouldn't you want to work in the ski industry and have fun at work every day.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Congratulations to Steven Gravatt

Steven Gravatt is the 2009 winner of the Bud Mayhew Scholarship. The scholarship of $750.00 is awarded annual to students pursuing a career in ski area operations.

Steven is planning on graduating this year. In addition to going to school full time at CMC Steven is a Lift Operator Lead for Breckenridge Resort. Steven got a write up in the NSAA Journal and this blog!

Congrats Steven!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Cross Country Snowboarding

For all of you snowboarders out there a new sport. Nordic Snowboarding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w7sVSMbjyM

For all of you skiers out there, you all ready know this, but it will make you smile!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Job: TERRAIN PARK SNOWCAT OPERATOR

Requirements:

  • Applicant must have 3 years experience operating snowcats, at least 2 in terrain parks
  • Applicant must have prior experience designing and building terrain park features
  • Applicant must be an experienced snowboarder or skier who is capable of using most of the features they build
  • Applicant must be adaptable to unexpected changes, have a positive attitude, and be able to work well with others
  • Applicant must be able to lift up to 75lbs
  • A pre-employment drug screening will be required

 
 

Job Description:

  • To work in conjunction with our current park builders to design and construct all 3 terrain parks at the Summit at Snoqualmie.
  • To work about 50 hours per week, 5 days a week
  • Perform light mechanical duties as well as pre-op/post-op machine checkouts.
  • Some park specific snowmaking duties included
  • Full time position available, pay determined on experience


 

Apply online at: http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com or send resume to: mmoore@summiti90.com

Heavens, Ski Resorts aren’t 100% truthful about snowfall?

Dartmouth College studied ski resort snow reports and participation data. Dartmouth discovered that resorts report 23 percent more snow on weekends, but no such increase in participation occurs.

The researchers theorize that resorts near cities that attract weekend crowds inflate their snow totals to draw guests.

However a new iPhone application made it easier to communicate real time snow conditions and resorts with good iPhone reception the exaggeration fell sharply.

The study is preliminarily labeled "Snowed: Deceptive Advertising at Ski Resorts."

See No Kidding.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Second Resort Schedule to Open at Noon October 7….Outside Las Vegas!

Ski Area Management is reporting that Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort is going to open October 7 at noon. The SAM article Las Vegas Ski Area Opens for the Season states the resort is opening seven weeks early this year.

Loveland making snow for opening day tomorrow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-1TLNPXHl0

SAM Announces Loveland to Open Tomorrow.

Ski Area Management is announcing that Loveland Ski Area will open tomorrow October 7, 2009. See Loveland to Open First in North America

Snowbowl Ski Area in Arizona being sued again to stop expansion, this time for recycling water

Snowbowl is being sued by a group of citizens to stop its expansion and adding snowmaking to the resort. The argument is the use of reclaimed sewer water to make the snow.

The resort just survived a suit by 13 Native American tribes over expansion on what they consider a sacred mountain. That suit went to the ninth circuit court of appeals and upheld the ski areas right to expand.

The suit claims there maybe dangers if you eat the snow made from the recycled water.

Don't eat the snow then?

See Health dangers of sewer water snowmaking should be considered

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Is this the 21st century or just 1970? Article about Female Snowcat drivers

Ski Area Management posted an article Cat Women on its website. The article goes on to tout the virtues of several female snowcat drivers in our industry. The article reads like something form the 70's however, like women driving snowcats is a new idea and something rarely seen on the slopes.

Obviously Ski Area Management has not seen the Colorado Mountain College
Ski Area Operations program or its graduates.