A small session with some Burke homies. First time strapping in for me!! Cant wait to ride a lift!

The Woods

We went to the Woods the other day. Thats Bretton Woods, for those who don't know. The woods of The wight mountains that is.  When we arrived we were introduced to James the guest services manager. Bretton Woods is most know for there exceptional guest service. They are also know for there association with Omni Hotels and the Mount Washington Hotel. James gave us a quick tour of the lodge, which was much larger then i thought. The lodge had a nice log cabin/timber frame feel that was over 3 stories. The basement of the lodge held rental, repair shop, lookers, and a gift shop. The ground floor is where the food court was located. The top floor was the most surprising. The top floor consisted of a massive bar and a brand new rock wall. The rock wall was very cool and was a real rock formation. After the tour we got to check out there snowmaking. There pump house was small but very efficient. When we were finished talking to the snowmaking manager we went back over to the lodge to talk to some other people. We ran into the terrain park manager and the manager of lifts and had a little Q. and A. session. When we made it back inside we talked to the GM and James again.  I really liked how every one we talked to gave off a good vibe and seemed very nice. It seems to me that Bretton Woods would be an very good work environment.  I can see why there guest services is ranks so highly.  To top it all off, as we were leaving they fired up some snow guns for the first time this season. Bretton Woods is a nice place and i am looking forward to spending time there this winter.

The Mount Washington Hotel 


After finishing everything at Bretton Woods we hoped a shuttle and went over to the ski resorts affiliate, The Washington Hotel. As we pull into the lobby turn around area we pass the resorts Volvo fleet. (Ballin). We walk into the lobby to see this huge open hall way with a very nice chandelier. The Mount Washington has some very interesting and famous rooms. There was the amplifier ceiling (my favorite), the gold room, and the Cave (a crazy cool night club). Those where  just some that stud out the most. There were other rooms for dinning, conferences, or just relaxation. The Mount Washington Hotel Was very fancy and elegant. I could definitely see my self taking my future wife there. Omni resorts has some good things going for them in New Hampshire and it is a great place for a family vacation.


-Drew

Jay Peak

Recently our class made a visit to Jay Peak. We got to take a hard hat tour of all of their recent development. When we took our tour Jay Peak was currently finishing the construction of there new water park, hotel, and bar. I thought the water park was very impressive,.The park had a flow rider, which is a stationary wave that can be surfed or boogie boarded. There was also a water slide that almost does a complete flip. I also learned that they have the longest indoor lazy river in the United States. The water park construction connected to Jay Peaks new hotel. The new hotel rooms were fancy and well designed. Another cool thing was they were building a bar looking over the water park. Jay Peak is going to be a happening place this year! Their ice house was also very nice. We had some extra time and the ice was open so i asked if we could go skate for 15-20 min. I was shut down. All these new projects did not come cheep. Jay Peak has spent over 50 million dollars to build the water park and hotel. Obviously Jay Peak is doing something right. I can not wait to do my spring practicum there!


-Drew

Burke

The other day we took a trip to my back yard, Burke Mountain. Burke has some new projects in motion including their new wind mill and high speed lift. Vice president of Burke Mountian's Operations, Dick Andross showed us around the Mountian. First we went inside to take a look at the new lifts master plan. It showed two new areas to add trails. The master plan also showed us some future plans like moving the Willoughby chair over near the Cutter Inn. That master plan can tell you everything there is to know about the lift. At the Burke returning employee social, I was informed of a new condo development that will be located below the new Mid Burke Express lift. GM, Tim McGuire plans to expand slowly without taking away Burkes Vermont feel. We then took a drive up to the summit to check out the new wind mill. The massive wind mill provides 20% of energy annually, as the new lift adds 20% more energy. Therefore the new wind mill will practically power the new lift. Burke will get there money back from the wind mill in about 2 years. I am looking forward to riding the new 7 minute lift to the summit and seeing where Burke rises to in the future.

Time is now!

Ok, I know I've been slacking with my post but I'm about to make it all up right meow!

Cannon MTN & The New England Ski Museum

One rainy 29th, I visited the New England Ski Museum located at the bottom of Cannon Mountian. The Museum taught me a lot of new information. The museum also was in possession of 3 of body millers Olympic medals. As I walked around the museum I learned some interesting things. For example the birth place of snow making was at Mowhawk Mountian or that Cranmore had a huge impact on the start of grooming. Even know the museum was small we still got to watch a movie on the history of skiing and see the most retro ski equipment ever. We also got to ride the Cannon tram to the top, run to the look out tower, see nothing, and run back soaking wet. Even with bad weather we still had a good time and learned a lot.

-Drew

Stowe

Recently I visited mount Mansfeild, home to the ski area Stowe. Over at Stowe we were given a tour of the new lift that was being installed. The lift was in its skeleton stage, so all the wheels and belts were visible. Looking at the track system from above cleared my understanding of how the chairs detach from the cable. Stowe is also the first Mountian I've been to where they store there chairs in a barn over night. The track into the barn is a cool concept and can save a lot of time and frustration in the mornings. The Doppelmayr team was just about half way done when we were there. Scott Reeves said the lift will be ready for the start of the season. After looking at the new lift we got to disassemble the old lift in there parking lot. The old lift was sold to mohawk ski area in Connecticut. Our trip to Stowe was a great, I learned a lot, and got some hands on experience. Stowe is a very nice resort and is doing very good. There golf courses are ranked in the top ten in New England. I hope to visit Stowe again soon.


-Drew