Podcasts about Whistler Blackcomb

Feeling overwhelmed and underprepared can create self-limiting thoughts, low-performance, unmet expectations, higher stress, dissatisfaction, and even disillusionment. During this conversation from the fall with the Class of 2024-25 mentors and mentees, we dove into how to strengthen your own mental toughness and mindset to draw out higher performance from others. Looking for more? Read "Mastering Your Mindset" in the May 2025 issue of SAM. Mentors: Ross Boisvert, President and General Manager, McIntyre Ski Area, Manchester, N.H.  Shannon Buhler, Vice President and General Manager, Keystone Resort, Colo. Rich Burkley, CEO, Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola, Lake Louise, Alberta Ken Rider, General Manager, Brundage Mountain, Idaho Mentees: Josiah Akin, Maintenance and Rental Manager, Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, Ore. Christie Barbour, Lift Operations Manager, Whistler Blackcomb, BC Rob Hallowell, Innovative Environments Manager, Boreal Mountain Resort, Woodward Tahoe, Soda Springs, Calif. Ella Klott, Sales Manager, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo. Sarah Nutt, Assistant Patrol Director, Sunday River Resort, Maine Loryn Roberson, Director of Marketing and Communications, Loveland Ski Area, Colo. Tim Shannon, Director of Skier Services, The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain, Vt. Jenny Weaver, Health and Safety Manager, Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain, Calif. Jeremy Wildgoose, Director of Lodging, Schweitzer, Idaho Kyle Wilson, Snow Sports Director, Nordic Mountain, Wis. Rachel Wyckoff, Marketing Director, Shawnee Mountain, Pa. Expert Voices: Paul Thallner, Founder, High Peaks Group Stu Singer, CEO and Founder, WellPerformance Thank you to our premiere sponsor, MountainGuard, for their support of this program. 

How can technology enhance our adventure experiences on skis? Is it possible that ski coaches, instructors and guides can be replaced by technology all together?In this episode we touch on these questions as we explore Carv with Morgan Engel and Alex Jackson. Carv is a small device that skiers can affix to their ski boots that analyzes their movement patterns as they ski. The data that Carv collects is uploaded to a user-friendly app on a Smart Phone. From here, users can either analyze the data and metrics themselves. Users can also select one of the coaching modes that provides targeted feedback. This makes Carv the largest ski school in the world by hours taught!Alex Jackson is the VP of Marketing for Carv and is based in the UK. Morgan Engel is a PSIC Level 4, CSIA Level 4 and PSIA Level 3 ski instructor and a PSIC Level 4 Licensed Professional Trainer in Whistler, British Columbia. Morgan has been working with Carv as an Ambassador and Advisor for the past six years. Morgan has also helped develop the Carv Instructor Certification offered through the Professional Ski Instructors of Canada.Morgan has been working with Carv as an Ambassador and Advisor for the past six years. Morgan has also helped develop the Carv Instructor Certification offered through the Professional Ski Instructors of Canada.Alex Jackson and Morgan Engel share their insights on what Carv is and how it can be used as a development tool for not just skiers, but by instructors, guides and coaches.TakeawaysInnovative: Carv is definitely a well thought out skill development tool for skiers that adds the possibility of gamifying skiing by trying to reach higher and higher scores. It is also nice to have a tool that measures your performance objectively with weight being placed on your performance instead of your style.Does Not Replace Snow Sports Professionals: There is still an important role for instructors when it comes to interpreting and communicating the data and structuring development. Carv also isn't going to tell you where the best snow is on a given run or how to prepare for what you are going to encounter before you get there.Adventure Enhancer: Carv is an excellent example of where technology can enhance the user experience. Other technologies that I can think of are apps like Stava and Gaia and devices like GoPros and even Smart Phones.Importance of Milestones: To keep us motivated and in a positive space, we need be able to break progress into small pieces. The one thing that Carv does well that other similar technologies should take note of is pointing out each time the user has reached a new level. It might be improving a certain metric or achieving an improved score. Guest BioAlex Jackson is based in London, UK and is the co-founder and VP of Marketing for Carv. Alex has enjoyed a very successful career in technology. His passion is products that can change the way people behave.Morgan Engel is a PSIC Level 4, CSIA level 4 and PSIA Level 3 ski instructor who has over 35 years of teaching and instructor training experience. Morgan started his ski teaching career at Hidden Valley in Alberta. He is currently teaching at Whistler Blackcomb. In addition to teaching, Morgan is also PSIC Level 4 Licensed Professional Trainer.Morgan has been working with Carv for the past six years as a Carv ambassador and advisor. He has also used his experience with Carv to develop the Carv Instructor Certification for the PSIC. Guest LinksCarv Website: https://getcarv.com/Carv Pro Deal for Professionals: https://getcarv.com/lp/pro-deal-2024PSIC Carv Instructor...

When change seems to be all we do, how do we manage it to our advantage? Listen in to a conversation from the fall with the Class of 2024-25 mentors and mentees. Looking for more? Read "Change Management" from the January 2025 issue of SAM.  Mentors: Kim Jones, Vice President and General Counsel, WinSport Olympic Park, Calgary, Alberta Karl Kapucinski, Chief Executive Officer, California Mountain Resort Company JR Murray, Chief Planning Officer, Mountain Capital Partners Karyn Thorr, Chief Operating Officer, Crystal Mountain, Mich. Brent Tregaskis, President & General Manager, Eldora Mountain Resort, Colo. Mike Unruh, Senior Vice President of Mountain Operations, Boyne Resorts Mentees: Josiah Akin, Maintenance and Rental Manager, Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, Ore. Christie Barbour, Lift Operations Manager, Whistler Blackcomb, BC Rob Hallowell, Innovative Environments Manager, Boreal Mountain Resort, Woodward Tahoe, Soda Springs, Calif. Ella Klott, Sales Manager, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo. Sarah Nutt, Assistant Patrol Director, Sunday River Resort, Maine Loryn Roberson, Director of Marketing and Communications, Loveland Ski Area, Colo. Tim Shannon, Director of Skier Services, The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain, Vt. Jenny Weaver, Health and Safety Manager, Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain, Calif. Jeremy Wildgoose, Director of Lodging, Schweitzer, Idaho Kyle Wilson, Snow Sports Director, Nordic Mountain, Wis. Rachel Wyckoff, Marketing Director, Shawnee Mountain, Pa. Expert Voice: Paul Thallner, Founder, High Peaks Group Thank you to our premiere sponsor, MountainGuard, for their support of this program. 

A possible breakthrough in China could put an end to the AI stock rally that one U.S. analyst called “one of the greatest spending binges in human history.”  Vail Resorts, the owner of ski resorts including Whistler Blackcomb, is veering off-piste.  Plus an interview with Cisco and the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.

Send us a textSki News & Updates:Ski Sunday: While it's beloved by hardcore fans, they discuss how it could appeal to wider audiences and promote skiing in general.Ski centers like Ski-Allenheads in Northumberland and Yad Moss in Cumbria are seeing great snow conditions, while Snowdonia has received deep powder.L2A (Les 2 Alpes): €145 million being invested into improvements, including a new gondola and updates to the glacier and beginner areas. A drone show is planned for the new Jandri 3S gondola inauguration on January 17.Top Destinations for Snow & Skiing:Austria: Fresh snow and perfect conditions in Skiwelt, Saalbach Hinterglemm, and Arlberg France: Resorts like Portes du Soleil and 3 Valleys have recoveredItaly: Fresh snow at Madonna di Campiglio and Livigno, with most resorts now 90% open.Switzerland: Verbier and Zermatt boast solid snow, but high winds and rain at lower altitudes challenge conditions at times.Pyrenees: Fresh snow improves conditions in Andorra, St Lary, and Baqueira Beret.Scandinavia: Cold temperatures and heavy snowfall in Norway, with top resorts like Hemsedal and Trysil offering great powder.Eastern Europe: Bansko (Bulgaria) and Špindlerův Mlýn (Czechia) are seeing good snow conditions and well-maintained slopes.Scotland: Snowmaking efforts are keeping resorts like Cairngorm and Glencoe open despite mild weather earlier in the season.Canada: Western resorts like Lake Louise and Whistler Blackcomb are thriving with excellent snow coverage.USA: The Pacific Northwest (e.g., Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass) is experiencing deep powder, while the Rockies and Eastern US are seeing fresh snow.Ski Gear Guide & Competition Alert:Win a GoPro HERO Speciality Accessory Bundle.  To enter, leave a podcast review!Rob and Dom discuss all-mountain ski gear.Men's All-Mountain Skis:Black Crows Camox: Versatile, playful, and responsive at speed, perfect for both groomed runs and off-piste adventures.Salomon QST 92: Lightweight, responsive freeride ski, ideal for side-country exploration and carving.Rossignol Arcade 88: Expert-level ski offering a balance of stability and responsiveness, with Line Control Technology for smooth control.Women's All-Mountain Skis:Line Pandora 85: Lightweight, stable, and great for hardpack conditions, perfect for piste skiers who occasionally venture off-piste.Volkl Blaze 86: Fast and responsive, designed for sporty skiers who enjoy off-piste skiing.Destination of the Week: La Plagne with Mountain HeavenLa Plagne celebrates Mountain Heaven's 21st Anniversary, highlighting their exclusive focus on La Plagne for catered chalets and self-catered apartments.Located in the Paradiski area, La Plagne is a favorite for families and seasoned skiers, offering a vast network of slopes across 11 villages.Mountain Heaven stands out for its personalized service and commitmenIn the meantime Enjoy the mountains :) And Please do leave a review as it's the only way other like minded travellers get to find us! And don't forget to check us out on the following channels inthesnow.cominstagram.com/inthesnowTikTok@inthesnowmag youtube.com/inthesnowmagfacebook.com/inthesnowTo contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at dom@InTheSnow.com / robert@ski-press.com

Two weeks into his Powder Highway road trip, PowBot calls in from Revelstoke, British Columbia to chat about life on the road in the new van, the differences between the U.S. and Canada when it comes to snow and ski culture, hiring a ski guide in Whistler to go big in the Blackcomb backcountry and interviewing “Trailhead Tim” Gibson, who PowBot met at the trailhead and suddenly became his backcountry partner in bagging the Aussie Couloir in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. Also, the boys Dope or Derp snow stake cams, backcountry skiing solo, the magnetic Snow Strip product and reggae music. 3:00 – Catching up with PowBot on his road trip to the Powder Highway of Canada, calling from the Revelstoke Rec Center parking lot.8:30 – Trail Whisperer in Downieville.10:00 – Avalanche Canada is saying “it's time to consider getting into bigger terrain” – it's GO TIME in the alpine! Favorable clear high pressure weather all week.13:00 – Pow Bot's road trip so far – Mount Bachelor, Stevens Pass, Whistler, Duffey Lakes.18:45 – Vail Resorts is having a PR nightmare. Youtube Peak Rankings financial breakdown of Vail Resorts. Park City Mountain Resort Ski Patrol is on strike and Vail wouldn't give them a $2/hr pay raise.21:40 – PowBot arrives in Whistler/Blackcomb and stays at Riverside RV park. PowBot hires a ski guide from Altus Mountain Guides, Tim Ross, to take him touring off the Blackcomb glaciers.25:00 – How does Canada differ from United States when it comes to skiing culture?28:35 – What is Pow Bot's boondock overnight parking plan?29:30 – Parking and skiing at Joffre Lakes area, a Canadian Provincial Park. PowBot helped unstuck the local plow truck driver, Danny, a backcountry skier who plows the lots for skiers.33:00 – PowBot meets Trailhead Tim and skis the Aussie Couloir with him.37:55 – How do you know when you meet a stranger that they will be a good ski partner?39:35 – Dope or Derp? Skiing solo. PowBot skied the Seven Steps to Paradise on Rogers Pass by himself and it was the dopest tour of his life.49:24 – In order to ski parts of Rogers Pass you have to take a backcountry travel test.52:45 – New iPhones have a text to satellite feature, eliminating the need to have something like a Spot or Garmin InReach.54:45 – Dope or Derp? The Snowstrip - A magnetic rack that goes on the side of your vehicle so your skis/board doesn't fall and hit the ground.57:55 – Dope or Derp? Reggae Music – Tom's been listening to a bunch of reggae. Stick Figure, Arise Roots, John Brown's Body and 10 Foot Ganja Plant. David Lee Scales and Chaz Smith of The Grit podcast think reggae is derp. Bob Marley is The Legend for a reason.1:04:55 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE – Ross – listener recommending Tycho and Khruangbin.1:09:20 – Dope or Derp? – a listener Derek wants to know what's up with snow stake cams.1:16:25 – Last Saturday, tail end of the holiday, one of the busiest days of skiing in Tahoe ever due to the snow stake cam.1:20:25 – The sleeper pow days are the best days – the snow stake cam isn't always accurate.1:21:40 – PowBot recorded a conversation with Trailhead Tim after their adventure on Aussie Couloir and the concept of “risk shaming”.1:30:50 – A conversation with Tim Gibson at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park – living van life and skiing in Canada.1:36:20 – Quitting the corporate life, retiring and living the ski bum van life full time.1:40:45 – Partnering up with Tim to ski Joffre Peak and Aussie Couloir.1:48:24 – Moved to Chile in 2004 and got into backcountry skiing, fully self-taught through trial and error. Close calls with cornices, glaciers and crevasses.1:54:00 – The American ski culture of not reporting avalanche accidents, opposite from Canada. The concept of “risk shaming” and how risky behavior is frowned upon in skiing in the US.1:59:00 – Living in Seattle and skiing in Washington state – Mount Rainier, North Cascades, Snoqualmie Pass.2:07:00 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?

On this episode of The Whistler Podcast, Mayor Jack Crompton speaks with Belinda Trembath (BT), Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Whistler Blackcomb. BT is approaching her second opening day at the helm of Whistler Blackcomb, bringing fresh insights after a year of learning and surprises while adjusting to the scale of a world-renowned resort at the heart of our town.We'll chat with BT about her journey, from managing challenges facing Whistler Blackcomb to celebrating a new chairlift and updated on-mountain experiences coming this winter. We'll also dive into how Whistler Blackcomb's team prepares for the season, with new staff arriving, snowmaking underway, and the mountain filling with fresh energy from passionate seasonal workers ready to deliver an unforgettable experience for all.Tune in as we explore BT's insights and discuss how Whistler Blackcomb is gearing up for another epic season.

This podcast hit paid subscribers' inboxes on Oct. 11. It dropped for free subscribers on Oct. 18. To receive future episodes as soon as they're live, and to support independent ski journalism, please consider an upgrade to a paid subscription. You can also subscribe to the free tier below:WhoAndy Cohen, General Manager of Fernie Alpine Resort, British ColumbiaRecorded onSeptember 3, 2024About FernieClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, which also owns:Located in: Fernie, British ColumbiaPass affiliations:* Epic Pass: 7 days, shared with Kicking Horse, Kimberley, Nakiska, Stoneham, and Mont-Sainte Anne* RCR Rockies Season Pass: unlimited access, along with Kicking Horse, Kimberley, and NakiskaClosest neighboring ski areas: Fairmont Hot Springs (1:15), Kimberley (1:27), Panorama (1:45) – travel times vary considerably given time of year and weather conditionsBase elevation: 3,450 feet/1,052 metersSummit elevation: 7,000 feet/2,134 metersVertical drop: 3,550 feet/1,082 metersSkiable Acres: 2,500+Average annual snowfall: 360 inches/914 Canadian inches (also called centimeters)Trail count: 145 named runs plus five alpine bowls and tree skiing (4% extreme, 21% expert, 32% advanced, 30% intermediate, 13% novice)Lift count: 10 (2 high-speed quads, 2 fixed-grip quads, 3 triples, 1 T-bar, 1 Poma, 1 conveyor - view Lift Blog's inventory of Fernie's lift fleet)Why I interviewed himOne of the most irritating dwellers of the #SkiInternet is Shoosh Emoji Bro. This Digital Daniel Boone, having boldly piloted his Subaru beyond the civilized bounds of Interstate 70, considers all outlying mountains to be his personal domain. So empowered, he patrols the digital sphere, dropping shoosh emojis on any poster that dares to mention Lost Trail or White Pass or Baker or Wolf Creek. Like an overzealous pamphleteer, he slings his brand haphazardly, toward any mountain kingdom he deems worthy of his forcefield. Shoosh Emoji Bro once Shoosh Emoji-ed me over a post about Alta.

How do you design adventure experiences for success? It is easy to plan big adventures but getting them to be epic for the right reasons isn't always as easy as it looks. This is especially true when we are building experiences to deliver to paying clients, our friends or family.Designing experiences that have the right pacing of adventure, and the right flow, can be the difference between epic disaster or exceptional experience.Joining us to explore what it takes to design the perfect adventure experience is Chris Winter. Chris is the owner or Big Mountain Adventures which offers mountain bike adventures in 14 countries around the world. Chris also teaches and guides steep skiing clinics for Extremely Canadian in Whistler, BC.Chris shares some of his experiences and insights into how we can structure amazing adventure experiences that we are delivering to others. He also shares some very funny stories along the way.Key InsightsDesigning amazing adventure experiences requires us to:Know our audience: Who are you actually building your experiences for? What are their needs, interests and capabilities?Align expectations early: This means ensuring everyone knows what they are getting themselves into. This includes aligning goals, identifying risk tolerance, addressing needs and so on.It has to be about them: There are experiences that guides, instructors and companies may want to deliver and there are experiences that people want to experience. These two things are not always the same thing. If you want to be successful, build experiences that people want to do.Get the Right Pacing and challenge: We want to ease into it, build in the challenge in the middle and finish with flow. This allows people to warm up and then consolidate their experience at the end.Remember the Purpose: The goal of adventure is to push ourselves outside our comfort zone. Adventure is important and sometimes we can forget why it is so valuable. Yes, adventure is often fun, but it serves a pretty important role in our lives. This makes the ability to deliver adventure a key life skill to have.Guest BioChris Winter is a former ski racer. Level IV CSIA ski instructor, level III high-performance ski coach, celebrated technical skier, sponsored big mountain skier featured in magazines and films. Currently teaching steep skiing clinics at Whistler Blackcomb for Extremely Canadian.Chris is the Owner and Founder of Big Mountain Adventures. Chris founded Big Mountain Adventures in 2002. During this time, he has built his tour company into the leader in guided mountain bike travel featuring award-winning adventures in 14 countries. Check out their new eMTB trips!Chris is also the owner of the Bralorne Adventure Lodge. Ready for a boutique mountain experience? Step out the door to spectacular wilderness & endless adventures…then recharge at our backyard spa.In addition to operating adventure-based businesses, Chris has also created and developed Zero Ceiling. This is an innovative and respected registered non-profit that hosts disadvantaged youth to the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb. From local First Nations to street youth to youth from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, participants benefit from a day of snowboard lessons, or if chosen to participate in a year-long program that teaches them to become employees at Whistler Blackcomb and give them life-long life skills.Guest LinksBig Mountain Adventures: https://www.ridebig.comBralorne Adventure Lodge: https://www.bralorneadventurelodge.comZero Ceiling:

This podcast hit paid subscribers' inboxes on June 10. It dropped for free subscribers on June 17. To receive future pods as soon as they're live, and to support independent ski journalism, please consider an upgrade to a paid subscription. You can also subscribe to the free tier below:WhoBelinda Trembath, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Whistler Blackcomb, British ColumbiaRecorded onJune 3, 2024About Whistler BlackcombClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: Vail Resorts (majority owners; Nippon Cable owns a 25 percent stake in Whistler Blackcomb)Located in: Whistler, British ColumbiaYear founded: 1966Pass affiliations:* Epic Pass: unlimited* Epic Local Pass: 10 holiday-restricted days, shared with Vail Mountain and Beaver CreekClosest neighboring ski areas: Grouse Mountain (1:26), Cypress (1:30), Mt. Seymour (1:50) – travel times vary based upon weather conditions, time of day, and time of yearBase elevation: 2,214 feet (675 meters)Summit elevation: 7,497 feet (2,284 meters)Vertical drop: 5,283 feet (1,609 meters)Skiable Acres: 8,171Average annual snowfall: 408 inches (1,036 centimeters)Trail count: 276 (20% easiest, 50% more difficult, 30% most difficult)Lift count: A lot (1 28-passenger gondola, 3 10-passenger gondolas, 1 8-passenger gondola, 1 8-passenger pulse gondola, 8 high-speed quads, 4 six-packs, 1 eight-pack, 3 triples, 2 T-bars, 7 carpets – view Lift Blog's inventory of Whistler Blackcomb's lift fleet) – inventory includes upgrade of Jersey Cream Express from a quad to a six-pack for the 2024-25 ski season.Why I interviewed herHistorical records claim that when Lewis and Clark voyaged west in 1804, they were seeking “the most direct and practicable water communication across this continent, for the purposes of commerce.” But they were actually looking for Whistler Blackcomb.Or at least I think they were. What other reason is there to go west but to seek out these fabulous mountains, rising side by side and a mile* into the sky, where Pacific blow-off splinters into summit blizzards and packed humanity animates the village below?There is nothing else like Whistler in North America. It is our most complete, and our greatest, ski resort. Where else does one encounter this collision of terrain, vertical, panorama, variety, and walkable life, interconnected with audacious aerial lifts and charged by a pilgrim-like massing of skiers from every piece and part of the world? Europe and nowhere else. Except for here.Other North American ski resorts offer some of these things, and some of them offer better versions of them than Whistler. But none of them has all of them, and those that have versions of each fail to combine them all so fluidly. There is no better snow than Alta-Snowbird snow, but there is no substantive walkable village. There is no better lift than Jackson's tram, but the inbounds terrain lacks scale and the town is miles away. There is no better energy than Palisades Tahoe energy, but the Pony Express is still carrying news of its existence out of California.Once you've skied Whistler – or, more precisely, absorbed it and been absorbed by it – every other ski area becomes Not Whistler. The place lingers. You carry it around. Place it into every ski conversation. “Have you been to Whistler?” If not, you try to describe it. But it can't be done. “Just go,” you say, and that's as close as most of us can come to grabbing the raw power of the place.*Or 1.6 Canadian Miles (sometimes referred to as “kilometers”).What we talked aboutWhy skier visits dropped at Whistler-Blackcomb this past winter; the new Fitzsimmons eight-passenger express and what it took to modify a lift that had originally been intended for Park City; why skiers can often walk onto that lift with little to no wait; this summer's Jersey Cream lift upgrade; why Jersey Cream didn't require as many modifications as Fitzsimmons even though it was also meant for Park City; the complexity of installing a mid-mountain lift; why WB had to cancel 2024 summer skiing and what that means for future summer seasons; could we see a gondola serving the glacier instead?; Vail's Australian trio of Mt. Hotham, Perisher, and Falls Creek; Whistler's wild weather; the distinct identities of Blackcomb and Whistler; what WB means to Vail Resorts; WB's Olympic legacy; Whistler's surprisingly low base elevation and what that means for the visitor; WB's relationship with local First Nations; priorities for future lift upgrades and potential changes to the Whistler gondola, Seventh Heaven, Whistler T-bar, Franz's, Garbanzo; discussing proposed additional lifts in Symphony Bowl and elsewhere on Whistler; potential expansion into a fourth portal; potential new or upgraded lifts sketched out in Blackcomb Mountain's masterplan; why WB de-commissioned the Hortsman T-Bar; missing the Wizard-to-Solar-Coaster access that the Blackcomb Gondola replaced; WB's amazing self-managing lift mazes; My Epic App direct-to-lift access is coming to Whistler; employee housing; why Whistler's season pass costs more than an Epic Pass; and Edge cards.   Why I thought that now was a good time for this interviewFour new major lifts in three years; the cancellation of summer skiing; “materially lower” skier visits at Whistler this past winter, as reported by Vail Resorts – all good topics, all enough to justify a check-in. Oh and the fact that Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski area in the Western Hemisphere, the crown jewel in Vail's sprawling portfolio, the single most important ski area on the continent.And why is that? What makes this place so special? The answer lies only partly in its bigness. Whistler is vast. Whistler is thrilling. Whistler is everything you hope a ski area will be when you plan your winter vacation. But most important of all is that Whistler is proof.Proof that such a place can exist in North America. U.S. America is stuck in a development cycle that typically goes like this:* Ski area proposes a new expansion/base area development/chairlift/snowmaking upgrade.* A small group of locals picks up the pitchforks because Think of the Raccoons/this will gut the character of our bucolic community of car-dependent sprawl/this will disrupt one very specific thing that is part of my personal routine that heavens me I just can't give up.* Said group files a lawsuit/formal objection/some other bureaucratic obstacle, halting the project.* Resort justifies the project/adapts it to meet locals' concerns/makes additional concessions in the form of land swaps, operational adjustments, infrastructure placement, and the like.* Group insists upon maximalist stance of Do Nothing.* Resort makes additional adjustments.* Group is Still Mad* Cycle repeats for years* Either nothing ever gets done, or the project is built 10 to 15 years after its reveal and at considerable extra expense in the form of studies, legal fees, rising materials and labor costs, and expensive and elaborate modifications to accommodate one very specific thing, like you can't operate the lift from May 1 to April 20 because that would disrupt the seahorse migration between the North and South Poles.In BC, they do things differently. I've covered this extensively, in podcast conversations with the leaders of Sun Peaks, Red Mountain, and Panorama. The civic and bureaucratic structures are designed to promote and encourage targeted, smart development, leading to ever-expanding ski areas, human-scaled and walkable base area infrastructure, and plenty of slopeside or slope-adjacent accommodations.I won't exhaust that narrative again here. I bring it up only to say this: Whistler has done all of these things at a baffling scale. A large, vibrant, car-free pedestrian village where people live and work. A gargantuan lift across an unbridgeable valley. Constant infrastructure upgrades. Reliable mass transit. These things can be done. Whistler is proof.That BC sits directly atop Washington State, where ski areas have to spend 15 years proving that installing a stop sign won't undermine the 17-year cicada hatching cycle, is instructive. Whistler couldn't exist 80 miles south. Maybe the ski area, but never the village. And why not? Such communities, so concentrated, require a small footprint in comparison to the sprawl of a typical development of single-family homes. Whistler's pedestrian base village occupies an area around a half mile long and less than a quarter mile wide. And yet, because it is a walkable, mixed-use space, it cuts down reliance on driving, enlivens the ski area, and energizes the soul. It is proof that human-built spaces, properly conceived, can create something worthwhile in what, 50 years ago, was raw wilderness, even if they replace a small part of the natural world.A note from Whistler on First NationsTrembath and I discuss Whistler's relationship with First Nations extensively, but her team sent me some follow-up information to clarify their role in the mountain's development:Belinda didn't really have time to dive into a very important piece of the First Nations involvement in the operational side of things:* There was significant engagement with First Nations as a part of developing the masterplans.* Their involvement and support were critical to the approval of the masterplans and to ensuring that all parties and their respective communities will benefit from the next 60 years of operation.* This includes the economic prosperity of First Nations – both the Squamish and Líl̓wat Nations will participate in operational success as partners.* To ensure this, the Province of British Columbia, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb and the Squamish and Líl̓wat Nations are engaged in agreements on how to work together in the future.* These agreements, known as the Umbrella Agreement, run concurrently with the Master Development Agreements and masterplans, providing a road map for our relationship with First Nations over the next 60 years of operations and development. * Key requirements include Revenue Sharing, Real Estate Development, Employment, Contracting & Recreational Opportunities, Marketing and Tourism and Employee Housing. There is an Implementation Committee, which oversees the execution of the agreement. * This is a landmark agreement and the only one of its kind within the mountain resort industry.What we got wrongI mentioned that “I'd never seen anything like” the lift mazes at Whistler, but that's not quite accurate. Vail Resorts deploys similar setups throughout its western portfolio. What I hadn't seen before is such choreographed and consistent navigation of these mazes by the skiers themselves. To watch a 500-person liftline squeeze itself into one loading ramp with no personnel direction or signage, and to watch nearly every chair lift off fully loaded, is to believe, at least for seven to nine minutes, in humanity as a worthwhile ongoing experiment.I said that Edge Cards were available for up to six days of skiing. They're actually available in two-, five-, or 10-day versions. If you're not familiar with Edge cards, it's because they're only available to residents of Canada and Washington State.Whistler officials clarified the mountain's spring skiing dates, which Trembath said started on May 14. The actual dates were April 15 to May 20.Why you should ski Whistler BlackcombYou know that thing you do where you step outside and you can breathe as though you didn't just remove your space helmet on the surface of Mars? You can do that at Whistler too. The village base elevation is 2,214 feet. For comparison's sake: Salt Lake City's airport sits at 4,227 feet; Denver's is at 5,434. It only goes up from there. The first chairlifts sit at 6,800 feet in Park City; 8,100 at Snowbird; 8,120 at Vail; 8,530 at Alta; 8,750 at Brighton; 9,000 at Winter Park; 9,280 at Keystone; 9,600 at Breckenridge; 9,712 at Copper Mountain; and an incredible 10,780 feet at Arapahoe Basin. Taos sits at 9,200 feet. Telluride at 8,750. Adaptation can be brutal when parachuting in from sea level, or some nominal inland elevation above it, as most of us do. At 8,500 feet, I get winded searching my hotel room for a power outlet, let alone skiing, until my body adjusts to the thinner air. That Whistler requires no such reconfiguration of your atomic structure to do things like blink and speak is one of the more underrated features of the place.Another underrated feature: Whistler Blackcomb is a fantastic family mountain. While Whistler is a flip-doodle factory of Stoke Brahs every bit the equal of Snowbird or Jackson Hole, it is not Snowbird or Jackson Hole. Which is to say, the place offers beginner runs that are more than across-the-fall line cat tracks and 300-vertical-foot beginner pods. While it's not promoted like the celebrated Peak-to-Creek route, a green trail (or sequence of them), runs nearly 5,000 uninterrupted vertical feet from Whistler's summit to the base village. In fact, with the exception of Blackcomb's Glacier Express, every one of the ski area's 16 chairlifts (even the fearsome Peak Express), and five gondolas offers a beginner route that you can ski all the way back to the base. Yes, some of them shuffle into narrow cat tracks for stretches, but mostly these are wide, approachable trails, endless and effortless, built, it seems, for ski-family safaris of the confidence-building sort.Those are maybe the things you're not thinking of. The skiing:Most skiers start with one of the three out-of-base village gondolas, but the new Fitz eight-seater rarely has a line. Start there:That's mostly a transit lift. At the top, head up the Garbanzo quad, where you can start to understand the scale of the thing:You're still not quite to the goods. But to get a sense of the mountain, ski down to Big Red:This will take you to Whistler's main upper-mountain portal, Roundhouse. From Whistler, you can see Blackcomb strafing the sky:From Roundhouse, it's a short ski down to the Peak Express:Depending upon your route down, you may end up back at Big Red. Ride back up to Roundhouse, then meander from Emerald to Harmony to Symphony lifts. For a moment on the way down Symphony, it feels like Euroski:Just about everyone sticks to the narrow groomers:But there are plenty of bumps and trees and wide-open bowls:Nice as this terrain is, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola summons you from all over the mountain:Whoosh. To Blackcomb in an instant, crossing the valley, 1,427 feet to the bottom, and out at Blackcomb's upper-mountain base, Rendezvous. Down to Glacier Express, and up a rolling fantasyland of infinite freeride terrain:And at the top it's like damn.From here, you can transfer to the Showcase T-bar if it's open. If not, climb Spanky's Ladder, and, Kaboom out on the other side:Ride Crystal Ridge or Excelerator back up, and run a lap through bowls and glades:Then ski back down to the village, ride Jersey Cream back to Rendezvous to connect to the spectacular 7th Heaven lift, or ride the gondy back over to Whistler to repeat the whole cycle. And that's just a sampling. I'm no Whistler expert - just go have fun and get lost in the whole thing.Podcast NotesOn the Lost Lifts of Park CityIt's slightly weird and enormously hilarious that the Fitzsimmons eight-seater that Whistler installed last summer and the Jersey Cream sixer that Blackcomb will drop on the mountain this year were originally intended for Park City. As I wrote in 2022:Last September, Vail Resorts announced what was likely the largest set of single-season lift upgrades in the history of the world: $315-plus million on 19 lifts (later increased to 21 lifts) across 14 ski areas. Two of those lifts would land in Park City: a D-line eight-pack would replace the Silverlode six, and a six-pack would replace the Eagle and Eaglet triples. Two more lifts in a town with 62 of them (Park City sits right next door to Deer Valley). Surely this would be another routine project for the world's largest ski area operator.It wasn't. In June, four local residents – Clive Bush, Angela Moschetta, Deborah Rentfrow, and Mark Stemler – successfully appealed the Park City Planning Commission's previous approval of the lift projects.“The upgrades were appealed on the basis that the proposed eight-place and six-place chairs were not consistent with the 1998 development agreement that governs the resort,” SAM wrote at the time. “The planning commission also cited the need for a more thorough review of the resort's comfortable carrying capacity calculations and parking mitigation plan, finding PCM's proposed paid parking plan at the Mountain Village insufficient.”So instead of rising on the mountain, the lifts spent the summer, in pieces, in the parking lot. Vail admitted defeat, at least temporarily. “We are considering our options and next steps based on today's disappointing decision—but one thing is clear—we will not be able to move forward with these two lift upgrades for the 22-23 winter season,” Park City Mountain Resort Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Deirdra Walsh said in response to the decision.One of the options Vail apparently considered was trucking the lifts to friendlier locales. Last Wednesday, as part of its year-end earnings release, Vail announced that the two lifts would be moved to Whistler and installed in time for the 2023-24 ski season. The eight-pack will replace the 1,129-vertical-foot Fitzsimmons high-speed quad on Whistler, giving the mountain 18 seats (!) out of the village (the lift runs alongside the 10-passenger Whistler Village Gondola). The six-pack will replace the Jersey Cream high-speed quad on Blackcomb, a midmountain lift with a 1,230-foot vertical rise.The whole episode is still one of the dumber things I'm aware of. There are like 80 lifts in Park City and two more (replacements, not all-new lines), apparently would have knocked the planet off its axis and sent us caterwauling into the sun. It's enough to make you un-see all the human goodness in Whistler's magical lift queues. More here.On Fitzsimmons 8's complex lineAmong the challenges of re-engineering the Fitzsimmons 8 for Whistler was the fact that the lift had to pass under the Whistler Village Gondola:Trembath and I talk a little about Fitz's download capability. Team Whistler sent over some additional information following our chat, indicating that the winter download capacity is four riders per chair (part of the original lift design, when it was meant for Park City). Summer download, for bike park operations, is limited to one passenger (a lower capacity than the original design).On Whistler's bike parkI'm not Bike Park Bro, though I could probably be talked into it fairly easily if I didn't already spend half the year wandering around the country in search of novel snowsportskiing operations. I do, however, ride my bike around NYC just about every day from May through October-ish, which in many ways resembles the giant jungle gyms that are downhill mountain bike parks, just with fewer jumps and a higher probability of decapitation by box truck.Anyway Whistler supposedly has the best bike park this side of Neptune, and we talk about it a bit, and so I'll include the trailmap even though I'd have a better chance of translating ancient Aramaic runes etched into a cave wall than I would of explaining exactly what's happening here:On Jersey Cream “not looking like much” on the trailmapBecause Whistler's online trailmap is shrunken to fit the same rectangular container that every ski map fills in the Webosphere, it fails to convey the scale of the operation (the paper version, which you can acquire if you slip a bag of gold bars and a map to the Lost City of Atlantis to a clerk at the guest services desk, is aptly called a “mountain atlas” and better captures the breadth of the place). The Jersey Cream lift and pod, for example, presents on the trailmap as an inconsequential connector lift between the Glacier Express and Rendezous station, where three other lifts convene. But this is a 1,230-vertical-foot, 4,647-foot-long machine that could, were you to hack it from the earth and transport it into the wilderness, be a fairly substantial ski area on its own. For context, 1,200 vertical feet is roughly the rise of Eldora or Monarch, or, for Easterners, Cranmore or Black Mountain.On the Whistler and Blackcomb masterplansUnlike the U.S. American Forest Service, which often fails to post ski area master development plans on their useless 1990s vintage websites, the British Columbia authorities have neatly organized all of their province's masterplans on one webpage. Whistler and Blackcomb mountains each file separate plans, last updated in 2013. That predates Vail Resorts' acquisition by three years, and Trembath and I discuss how closely (or not), these plans align with the company's current thinking around the resort.Whistler Mountain:Blackcomb Mountain:On Vail's Australian ski areasTrembath, at different points, oversaw all three of Vail Resorts' Australian ski areas. Though much of that tenure predated Vail's acquisitions (of Hotham and Falls Creek in 2019), she ran Perisher (purchased in 2015), for a year before leaping to the captain's chair at Whistler. Trembath provides a terrific breakdown of each of the three ski areas, and they look like a lot of fun:Perisher:Falls Creek:Hotham:On Sugar Bowl ParallelsTrembath's story follows a similar trajectory to that of Bridget Legnavsky, whose decades-long career in New Zealand included running a pair of that country's largest ski resorts. She then moved to North America to run a large ski area – in her case, Sugar Bowl near Lake Tahoe's North Shore. She appeared on the podcast in March.On Merlin EntertainmentI was unfamiliar with Merlin Entertainment, the former owner of Falls Creek and Hotham. The company is enormous, and owns Legoland Parks, Madame Tussauds, and dozens of other familiar brands.On Whistler and Blackcomb as formerly separate ski areasLike Park City (formerly Park City and Canyons) and Palisades Tahoe (formerly Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley), Whistler and Blackcomb were once separate ski areas. Here's the stoke version of the mountains' joint history (“You were either a Whistler skier, or you were a Blackcomb skier”):On First Nations' language on lifts and the Gondola Gallery projectAs Whistler builds new lifts, the resort tags the lift terminals with names in English and First Nations languages. From Pique Magazine at the opening of the Fitzsimmons eight-pack last December:Whistler Mountain has a brand-new chairlift ready to ferry keen skiers and snowboarders up to mid-mountain, with the rebuilt Fitzsimmons Express opening to guests early on Dec. 12. …“Importantly, this project could not have happened without the guidance and counsel of the First Nations partners,” said Trembath.“It's so important to us that their culture continues to be represented across these mountains in everything we do.”In keeping with those sentiments, the new Fitzsimmons Express is emblazoned with First Nations names alongside its English name: In the Squamish language, it is known as Sk_wexwnách, for Valley Creek, and in the Lil'wat language, it is known as Tsíqten, which means Fish Spear.New chairlifts are given First Nations names at Whistler Blackcomb as they are installed and opened.Here's Fitzsimmons:And Big Red, a sixer installed two years ago:Whistler also commissioned First Nations artists to wrap two cabins on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. From Daily Hive:The Peak 2 Peak gondola, which connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, is showing off artwork created by First Nations artists, which can be seen by mountain-goers at BC's premiere ski resort.Vail Resorts commissioned local Indigenous artists to redesign two gondola cabins. Levi Nelson of Lil'wat Nation put his stamp on one with “Red,” while Chief Janice George and Buddy Joseph of Squamish Nation have created “Wings of Thunder.” …“Red is a sacred colour within Indigenous culture, representing the lifeblood of the people and our connection to the Earth,” said Nelson, an artist who excels at contemporary Indigenous art. “These shapes come from and are inspired by my ancestors. To be inside the gondola, looking out through an ovoid or through the Ancestral Eye, maybe you can imagine what it's like to experience my territory and see home through my eyes.”“It's more than just the techniques of weaving. It's about ways of being and seeing the world. Passing on information that's meaningful. We've done weavings on murals, buildings, reviving something that was put away all those decades ago now,” said Chief Janice George and Buddy Joseph.“The significance of the Thunderbird being on the gondola is that it brings the energy back on the mountain and watching over all of us.”A pic:On Native American issues in the U.S.I referenced conflicts between U.S. ski resorts and Native Americans, without providing specifics. The Forest Service cited objections from Native American communities, among other factors, in recommending a “no action” alternative to Lutsen Mountains' planned expansion last year. The Washoe tribe has attempted to “reclaim” land that Diamond Peak operates on. The most prominent dispute, however, has been a decades-long standoff between Arizona Snowbowl and indigenous tribes. Per The Guardian in 2022:The Arizona Snowbowl resort, which occupies 777 acres (314 hectares) on the mountain's slope, has attracted skiers during the winter and spring for nearly a century. But its popularity has boomed in recent years thanks to growing populations in Phoenix, a three hour's drive away, and neighbouring Flagstaff. During peak ski season, the resort draws upwards of 3,000 visitors a day.More than a dozen Indigenous nations who hold the mountain sacred have fought Snowbowl's existence since the 1930s. These include the Pueblo of Acoma, Fort McDowell Yavapai; Havasupai; Hopi; Hualapai; Navajo; San Carlos Apache; San Juan Southern Paiute; Tonto Apache; White Mountain Apache; Yavapai Apache, Yavapai Prescott, and Pueblo of Zuni. They say the resort's presence has disrupted the environment and their spiritual connection to the mountain, and that its use of treated sewage effluent to make snow is akin to baptizing a baby with wastewater.Now, a proposed $60m expansion of Snowbowl's facilities has brought simmering tensions to a boil.The US Forest Service, the agency that manages the national forest land on which Snowbowl is built, is weighing a 15-year expansion proposal that would bulk up operations, increase visitation and add new summer recreational facilities such as mountain biking trails, a zip line and outdoor concerts. A coalition of tribes, meanwhile, is resisting in unprecedented ways.The battle is emblematic of a vast cultural divide in the American west over public lands and how they should be managed. On one side are mostly financially well-off white people who recreate in national forests and parks; on the other are Indigenous Americans dispossessed from those lands who are struggling to protect their sacred sites.“Nuva'tukya'ovi is our Mount Sinai. Why can't the forest service understand that?,” asks Preston.On the tight load at the 7th Heaven liftYikes:Honestly it's pretty organized and the wait isn't that long, but this is very popular terrain and the trails could handle a higher-capacity lift (nearly everyone skis the Green Line trail or one of the blue groomers off this lift, leaving hundreds of acres of off-piste untouched; it's pretty glorious).On Wizard and Solar CoasterEvery local I spoke with in Whistler grumped about the Blackcomb Gondola, which replaced the Wizard and Solar Coaster high-speed quads in 2018. While the 10-passenger gondy substantively follows the same lines, it fails to provide the same mid-mountain fast-lap firepower that Solar Coaster once delivered. Both because removing your skis after each lap is a drag, and because many skiers ride the gondola up to Rendezvous, leaving fewer free mid-mountain seats than the empty quad chairs once provided. Here's a before-and-after:On Whistler's season passWhistler's season pass, which is good at Whistler Blackcomb and only Whistler Blackcomb, strangely costs more ($1,047 U.S.) than a full Epic Pass ($1,004 U.S.), which also provides unlimited access to Whistler and Vail's other 41 ski areas. It's weird. Trembath explains.The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us.The Storm publishes year-round, and guarantees 100 articles per year. This is article 42/100 in 2024, and number 542 since launching on Oct. 13, 2019. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

What does it take to build and operate a successful adventure company? In this episode, Chris Winter joins Chris and Jordy to discuss how he has built Big Mountain Adventures, from the ground up. Chris shares some of his successes and challenges and the mindset that goes into running a successful adventure company.Chris Winter grew up bike touring in Europe with his parents, who ran a road cycling tour company. After a career as a professional skier competing and participating in ski films, Chris followed his parents' footsteps and founded Big Mountain Adventures. Launched in 2002, Whistler based Big Mountain Adventures has grown to employ 25 guides running mountain bike trips and courses in 14 countries.In addition to owning and operating Big Mountain Adventures, Chris Winter teaches steep skiing clinics for Extremely Canadian at Whistler Blackcomb. He has also founded the not for profit Zero Ceiling that hosts disadvantaged youth on the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb.Guest BioChris Winter is a former ski racer. Level IV CSIA ski instructor, level III high-performance ski coach, celebrated technical skier, sponsored big mountain skier featured in magazines and films. Currently teaching steep skiing clinics at Whistler Blackcomb for Extremely Canadian.Chris is the Owner and Founder of Big Mountain Adventures. Chris founded Big Mountain Adventures in 2002. During this time, he has built his tour company into the leader in guided mountain bike travel featuring award-winning adventures in 14 countries. Check out their new eMTB trips!Chris is also the owner of the Bralorne Adventure Lodge. Ready for a boutique mountain experience? Step out the door to spectacular wilderness & endless adventures…then recharge at our backyard spa.In addition to operating adventure-based businesses, Chris has also created and developed Zero Ceiling. This is an innovative and respected registered non-profit that hosts disadvantaged youth to the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb. From local First Nations to street youth to youth from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, participants benefit from a day of snowboard lessons, or if chosen participate in a year-long program that teaches them to become employees at Whistler Blackcomb and give them life-long life skills.Guest LinksBig Mountain Adventures: https://www.ridebig.comBralorne Adventure Lodge: https://www.bralorneadventurelodge.comZero Ceiling: https://zeroceiling.orgFollow or SubscribeDon't forget to follow the show!Share & Social Linkshttps://linktr.ee/deliveringadventure

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2160: Explore the profound lessons in Sam's article on why prioritizing your career over personal relationships can lead to regret. Discover the story of Lana, who achieved immense financial success but missed out on decades of potential love and companionship. Learn why balancing love and career is essential for a fulfilling life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.financialsamurai.com/you-will-regret-sacrificing-love-for-money-almost-all-of-the-time/ Quotes to ponder: “But you will always regret sacrificing love for money." "I would have absolutely focused as hard on my love life as I did on my career." "I would absolutely trade all my wealth to have my family." Episode references: Columbia University: https://www.columbia.edu/ Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business: https://www.tuck.dartmouth.edu/ Whistler Blackcomb: https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/ Swiss Alps: https://www.myswitzerland.com/en/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Pearson presents a collection of this week's Witness History episodes from the BBC World Service. We hear about the famous ski resort, Whistler Blackcomb. In 2003, the venue won its bid to host the Winter Olympic Games for the first time. Hugh Smythe, known as one of the ‘founding fathers' of Whistler, has been sharing his memories of the mountain. We also have former Winter Olympian and BBC presenter, Chemmy Alcott, to walk us through the long history of skiing. Plus, how the tiny island nation of American Samoa suffered the worst defeat ever in international football. Also, the shocking creation of a two-headed dog by a Soviet scientist. The murder of transgender woman in Honduras during a military coup in 2009. And, a long-running dispute over the final resting place of Christopher Columbus' ashes. Contributors: Hugh Smythe — One of the ‘founding fathers' of Whistler. Chemmy Alcott — Former Winter Olympian and TV presenter. Nicky Salapu—American Samoa goalkeeper. Igor Konstantinov — Consultant cardiothoracic surgeon. Claudia Spelman — LGBT activist. Angelita Baeyens — Human rights lawyer. Samuel Bisono — Tour guide and historian. (Photo: Whistler Blackcomb ski resort. Credit: James MacDonald/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In 2003, Whistler Blackcomb won its bid to host the Winter Olympic Games for the first time. It was sixth time lucky for the Canadian ski resort which had been opened to the public in 1966. The mountain – which is named after the high-pitched whistle of the native marmot – has been through a lot of iterations and one man has been there to see nearly all of them.Hugh Smythe, known as one of the ‘founding fathers' of Whistler, has been sharing his memories of the mountain with Matt Pintus.(Photo: Whistler mountain. Credit: Getty Images)

Stan Rey has been announced as a Wildcard!   Mark and Derek are discussing the Injury and Wildcard updates coming from the FWT ahead of the Kicking Horse Golden Pro event next week. We've learned that Simon Perraudin and Taylor Dobbins have been forced to withdrawal because of injury. Due to personal reasons, Justine Dufour Lapointe won't be competing at her home event in Canada this year. Mark meets up with Stan on Whistler Blackcomb for a chairlift chat about what he expects from the event and if he thinks he's ready.  He even has some important news of his own!   Stan was showing fellow Ski Men's competitor, Tenra Katsuno, around the mountain and we also chat with Tenra to help you get to know him better heading into Kicking Horse.   0:00 - Injury / Wildcard Update 7:49 - Stan Rey Interview  23:42 - Tenra Katsuno Interview   We want to hear from you!  Send in your comments and questions to the BACKSLAP Segment backslap@freerideguidepodcast.com Follow The Freeride Guide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefreerideguide/  ---------- About the Hosts: Mark Warner is the Host of the ski industry's first podcast, Low Pressure Podcast: The Podcast for Skiers. Derek Foose is the FWT broadcast announcer, Founder and Head Coach of the Whistler Freeride Club and both are huge Freeride Fans Please help us grow so go hit that Follow button! #freerideguide #listentoskiing The Freeride Guide is part of the Low Pressure Podcast Network and is a RedMark Media Production.

IN this episode we touch on the following and so much more: Balancing the demands of being a professional athlete and personal life. Other interests or hobbies that I'm passionate about outside of the snowboarding world. How sport has influenced my personal growth and development as an individual. Being a part of the RBC Olympian Program. How I managed working while also staying committed to my athletic pursuits. Serving as an Athlete Representative for Canada Snowboard Volunteering and Youth Olympics 2020 Mental Health Awareness. Hosting a Podcast. Coaching Courses and Mentorship. "Ride with an Olympian" at Whistler Blackcomb. Let me know your answers to this episodes rapid fire! Mercedes: 10 Rapid fire questions  Favorite Type of Exercise: Do you prefer cardio workouts, strength training, or something else for exercise? Most Recent Hobby: Have you picked up any new hobbies or interests recently? Favorite Childhood TV Show: What was your favorite TV show when you were a child? Dream Vacation Destination: If you could go on a dream vacation right now, where would you go? Preferred Type of Weather: Do you enjoy sunny days, rainy weather, or a bit of both? Last Movie You Watched: What's the last movie you watched, and did you enjoy it? Favorite Type of Art: Do you have a favorite form of art, like painting, sculpture, or photography? Morning Routine Must-Have: Is there one thing you must do every morning to start your day right? Favorite Board Game or Card Game: What's your go-to board game or card game for a fun night with friends or family? Best Piece of Advice Received: What's the most valuable piece of advice you've ever received, and did you follow it?

What is adventure and how can we deliver it? These are just two of the topics that Mark Sedgwick and Jeff Marks help us to explore as we talk about adventure and the challenge zone. Mark and Jeff are two of the founders of the newly launched Professional Ski Instructors of Canada (PSIC). The PSIC has delivering “the adventure” at the core of its mission. Mark and Jeff walk through what “the adventure” is and how it relates to our challenge zone.Key TakeawaysInteresting new Organization: Promoting the delivery of the entire experience, free of judgment, promoting development, recognizing that delivering these experiences requires a diverse skill set that includes both hard and soft skills.Components of Adventure: Fun, safe, learning were three key components of adventure for the PSIC. To achieve an adventure, it has to be remembered as being enjoyable either in the moment or later, the experience has to fit inside people's risk tolerance, and people generally want to feel like they have improved in some way.The Challenge Zone: Tis the performance zone you are in when you are excited and can perform well, without being overwhelmed or bored. When we go above your challenge zone, we can become stressed, and our survival instincts can kick in. When we go below our challenge zone, we can become complacent and lose interest. The level of adversity we are exposed to determines where we are operating.Adventure Happens in the Challenge Zone: This is where we are stimulated and can try new things without becoming frustrated. To deliver an adventure we need to create an environment here people can operate in their challenge zone.Guest LinksProfessional Ski Instructors of Canada (PSIC): www.psic.proModel of the Challenge Zone: https://deliveringadventure.com/the-adventure-zone/Guest BioMark Sedgwick is a proud product of the ski industry – skiing is his passion, and he is an obsessed student of the sport. His career spans over 35 years in the industry. He is currently President and co-founder of both the Professional ski instructors of Canada (PSIC) and 2XO Ski Consulting, offering his expertise as an industry advisor. He is a recognized and respected global thought leader and author in the ski space.Mark spent 16 years as a senior executive with Whistler Blackcomb and played a strategic role in all aspects of the resort's journey and growth as it became the most visited resort on the planet. During his tenure at Whistler Blackcomb, he was involved in the delivery of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, a successful Initial Public Offering (IPO), leading to the establishment of Whistler Blackcomb as a publicly traded company. This series of achievements culminated in Whistler Blackcomb's significant acquisition by Vail Resorts.Mark's ski education spans three pathways: Austrian, Australian, and Canadian. Mark participated at two Interski events, representing Australia in 1995 and Canada as Technical Lead and Coach in 2023.Like Mark, Jeff has worked extensively in the ski industry. Jeff was born and raised in the Canadian Rockies in Jasper and currently lives in Banff Alberta.Jeff has had various leadership roles in the ski industry including Director of the Club Ski program in Banff and the Niseko Village Snow School in Japan as well as 12 years as Program Coordinator and National Program Director for the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance.Jeff has represented Canada at three Interski events including as Head Coach of the Canadian team in March, 2023 in Levi, Finland. Now being involved with the Professional Ski Instructors of Canada, Jeff finds himself again in a creative new challenge zone with an opportunity to do his best to support an industry and profession that he loves. ...

Snowy season in many parts of Canada is off to a slow start. At the end of December, fewer than half of Whistler Blackcomb's trails in British Columbia were open due to the lack of snow. And the Prairie provinces are expected to have a milder winter, with below-normal snowfall. While the amount of snow varies from year to year, a new study says snowpack – the volume of snow that is present on the landscape – in the Northern Hemisphere is on the decline because of climate change.Ivan Semeniuk is The Globe's science reporter. He's on the show to explain how this loss will impact not only ski season but also water supplies and agriculture.Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com

Anik Champoux is the Programs and Marketing Director for Protect Our Winters (POW) Canada. An avid skier, Anik had the privilege of being a ‘ski bum' early in her career, which led her to take a marketing job at Whistler Blackcomb, staying on through the eventual sale of Whistler to Vail Resorts. After a bit of time with Vail Resorts, she craved more meaning and purpose in her work, which led her to POW Canada.    At POW Canada, Anik focuses on building programming and marketing strategy through the next growth phase of the organization in Canada, enabling them to have maximum impact.    In this conversation, Cole and Anik discuss:   Protect Our Winters and fighting climate change Lessons learned at Whistler Blackcomb and applying them to POW What success will look like in a future focused on sustainability  Progress over perfection The role passion plays in marketing Building campaigns that get remembered   You can catch up with POW Canada here. And connect with Anik here.   If you're liking what you're hearing, feel free to leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. It helps more people like you find the show. Let's help everyone learn together.   This podcast is produced by Port Side Productions. We're a video production outfit that believes stories inspire and move people through the power of emotion. We work with brands and agencies in the outdoor industry to tell stories that help brands engage, inspire, and build brand affinity with their customers. We tell stories from the wild.

Lisa Wills is a ski mom and the founder of Stonz, an outdoor apparel and footwear company for kids ages 0-6 years.  Lisa walks us through the problems she kept running into with her own kid's outdoor apparel and how that led her to the decision to start Stonz.  Stonz is on a mission make it easy to get kids outdoors no matter the weather. They have a wide range of kids outdoor gear from snow boots (the lightest winter boot on the market), to mittens and snow suits. Lisa walks us through her career path and the early days starting Stonz. Wherever Lisa saw a problem with kids outdoor apparel, she set out to find a solution. Lisa makes sure all her products are well made, so they can be passed down and stay out of landfills. Stonz products are also vegan-friendly and free from harmful chemicals. We learn about product testing and feedback and some new products planned for the coming year. Lisa also gives us a great overview of her home mountain of Whistler Blackcomb, complete with year round activity recommendations.Keep up with the Latest from StonzWebsite: https://stonz.com use code SKIMOMS10 for 10% off your purchaseInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonzwearFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/stonzwearMABEL'S LABELSUse Code SKIMOMS to save 15% off your order. Ski Swap season is here and we are scooping up deals. Smart ski moms know as soon as the new gear comes home it's time for a label. Ski equipment can look VERY similar on a rack, with Mabel's Labels, parents can easily identify their kids' belongings and prevent items from being lost or misplaced. We've got a ski-themed gift for everyone on your list. Shop our gift guides here.Support the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.skimomsfun.comSki Moms Discount Page: https://skimomsfun.com/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 10,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://instagram.com/skimomsfun Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you'd like to hear next! Sarah@skimomsfun.comNicole@skimomsfun.com

Subscriber-only episodeLisa Wills is a ski mom and the founder of Stonz, an outdoor apparel and footwear company for kids ages 0-6 years.  Lisa walks us through the problems she kept running into with her own kid's outdoor apparel and how that led her to the decision to start Stonz.  Stonz is on a mission make it easy to get kids outdoors no matter the weather. They have a wide range of kids outdoor gear from snow boots (the lightest winter boot on the market), to mittens and snow suits. Lisa walks us through her career path and the early days starting Stonz. Wherever Lisa saw a problem with kids outdoor apparel, she set out to find a solution. Lisa makes sure all her products are well made, so they can be passed down and stay out of landfills. Stonz products are also vegan-friendly and free from harmful chemicals. We learn about product testing and feedback and some new products planned for the coming year. Lisa also gives us a great overview of her home mountain of Whistler Blackcomb, complete with year round activity recommendations.Keep up with the Latest from StonzWebsite: https://stonz.com use code SKIMOMS10 for 10% off your purchaseInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonzwearFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/stonzwearMABEL'S LABELSUse Code SKIMOMS to save 15% off your order. Ski Swap season is here and we are scooping up deals. Smart ski moms know as soon as the new gear comes home it's time for a label. Ski equipment can look VERY similar on a rack, with Mabel's Labels, parents can easily identify their kids' belongings and prevent items from being lost or misplaced. We've got a ski-themed gift for everyone on your list. Shop our gift guides here.Keep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.skimomsfun.comSki Moms Discount Page: https://skimomsfun.com/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 10,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://instagram.com/skimomsfun Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you'd like to hear next! Sarah@skimomsfun.comNicole@skimomsfun.com

On Today's Show:  It's opening day at Whistler Blackcomb! What's the weather outlook for the ski/winter season?  The Farmer's Almanac is out with their weather predictions that I'm sure come with 100% money back guarantee. We continue our conversation about picking people up from the airport A CRAZY lottery story out of Port Moody where a family WON TWICE!  That and more on today's Nat & Drew Show! 

Known as the ‘Godfather Of Freeskiing', Mike Douglas is consistently listed by media outlets as one of the most influential skiers of all time. He began his career as a mogul skier on the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team in the early 1990s. In 1997, he developed the first high-performance twin-tip ski, the Salomon Teneighty, and his freeskiing career was launched. Dubbed the New Canadian Air Force, Mike and his crew of Canadians revolutionized the sport with their tricks at ski resorts across the globe. He even has a signature tick - the D Spin. Mike has appeared in more than 50 ski films, was named Powder Magazine's ‘Male Skier Of The Year' in 2003, and was the voice of skiing at the X Games for 14 years. In 2004, Mike founded Switchback Entertainment - a video production company specializing in outdoor adventure films and commercials. He launched the groundbreaking web series, Salomon TV, in 2007 and has produced/directed more than a dozen award-winning films including The Freedom Chair, Tempting Fear, Eclipse, Snowman, Guilt Trip and Fountain Of Youth. From 1997-2017 his role as a marketing consultant and ambassador for Whistler Blackcomb helped propel the organization to the top of the ski resort rankings. He has been named ‘Favourite Whistlerite' 7 times by the readers of Whistler's local newspaper, Pique Newsmagazine. Today, Mike is a married father of two, and splits his time between raising his family, skiing professionally, producing/directing films and commercials at Switchback Entertainment, and environmental advocacy work. He is the former Board Chair for Protect Our Winters Canada - an environmental group focused on fighting climate change. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation. You can find him on social media at: Instagram: @mikedski Twitter: @mikedski Facebook.com/mikedouglas Music for this episode by Gravy @gravy.tunes www.switchbackentertainment.com Sam and Me – Overcoming Climate Anxiety https://youtu.be/itPEPpiMojc?si=E5pLii2ZitxllkDW www.protectourwinters.ca www.protectourwinters.org www.wyssenavalanche.com www.gordini.com www.sixpointeng.com

Épisode bonus de la semaine! En compagnie de Samuel Ouellette, directeur administratif du Pôle sports HEC Montréal et chargé de cours à l'Université de Sherbrooke, on discute de la récente arrivée de l'UTMB World Series au Canada. En février dernier, on apprenait l'annulation de la Whistler Alpine Meadows en Colombie-Britannique, une course organisée par Coast Mountain Trail Running, une entreprise locale menée par le célèbre coureur Gary Robbins. La multinationale Vail, propriétaire de la station Whistler Blackcomb, ne leur permettait pas de revenir sur leur territoire pour la 8e édition de leur course, stipulant un « enjeu de sécurité » qu'ils ne comprenaient pas. Huit mois plus tard, l'UTMB World Series annonçait l'arrivée de l'Ultra Trail Whistler sur le territoire de Whistler Blackcomb. Coïncidence malheureuse? Opportunité saisie? Mauvaise foi? Entente malhonnête? Beaucoup de questions, peu de réponses. Samuel et moi tentons d'analyser la situation, en s'appuyant sur les faits. Bonne écoute!Pour entendre l'épisode 57 dans lequel Samuel et moi analysions la récente annonce de l'UTMB World Series en 2021, c'est par ici : https://passortidubois.buzzsprout.com/1298839/9224271-episode-57-samuel-ouellette-le-trail-running-sous-la-loupe-d-un-expertCréditsDesign graphique : David HébertThème musical : Frédérick DesrochesIdée originale, production, recherche et animation : Yannick Vézina© Pas sorti du bois 2023

In this fantastic bonus episode, we chat with Squamish, BC resident Amber Turnau who tells us the ins and outs of the best ski resorts in British Columbia, Canada the massive province that we all know and love and home to some of the best ski resorts in the world. Beginning on the west coast,  The resorts start at Vancouver Island's Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Then, as you make your way to the mainland, head up the fabulous Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler Blackcomb host venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. As you make your way inland to the Okanagan Region (one of BC's wine regions), you'll find the resorts Silver Star,  Big White, Sun Peaks and Apex.Onto the south east corner of BC - The Kootenays, bordering the neighbouring province of Alberta are home to fabulous resorts that make up the Powder Highway like Fernie, Crossland (Red Mountain)  Revelstoke, Panorama, Kicking Horse, and Kimberley.The resorts of BC are like nowhere on Earth and so worth the trip, it was great catching up with Amber and getting the inside track on axe throwing and graded tree runs, we can't wait to get back out there :)for more info: hellobc.com/ski@HelloBC”In the meantime Happy Skiing :). Please do leave a review it's the only way other like minded skiers get to find us! And don't forget to check us out on the following channels inthesnow.comyoutube.com/inthesnowmagfacebook.com/inthesnowinstagram.com/inthesnowand contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at hello@InTheSnow.com

A special interview with Peter Landsman, founder of the website liftblog.com. Peter has personally seen more than 3000 lifts in 720 resorts across North America.  Peter joined us from his home in Jackson Hole and we cover a wide range of topics including how his love for lifts started, his views on T-bars v. button lifts, what he though of skiing in Europe and quiz him on his favourite lifts. SHOW NOTES   ·       Peter has visited over 3000 lifts in 720 resorts ·       Listen to our interview with ski journalist Arnie Wilson ·       His first skiing was in Snowqualmie Pass near Seattle ·       Peter currently works in Jackson Hole as a lift supervisor ·       www.liftblog.com launched in 2015 ·       The site includes entire lists of new lifts by season ·       Mt Eyak in Alaska was one of the hardest to visit ·       Peter went to the Interalpin trade fair in Innsbruck in 2023 ·       In Europe Peter rode the Galzigbahn in St Anton, Austria ·       Button lifts are known as ‘platter lifts' in North America  ·       T-bars or button lifts are known as ‘surface lifts' in the States ·       Look out for the upside down chairlift in Big Snow indoor slope in New Jersey ·       A moose walked by Peter's apartment while we were recording! ·       The Kumme lift in Zermatt is an unmanned station ·       Peter's recommendations of lifts you must try include the Peak to Peak in Whistler Blackcomb, and the Love Peak tram in Big Sky Montana ·       You can follow Peter's LiftBlog on Instagram Feedback  I enjoy all feedback about the show. You can contact us via social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com  Henry J (Apple Podcasts): ‘Definitely worth a listen' Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. And if you enjoy the pod, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast   You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast Thank to Les 3 Vallées for sponsoring the show

This podcast hit paid subscribers' inboxes on June 13. It dropped for free subscribers on June 16. To receive future pods as soon as they're live, and to support independent ski journalism, please consider an upgrade to a paid subscription. You can also subscribe for free below:WhoDarcy Alexander, Vice President and General Manager of Sun Peaks, British ColumbiaRecorded onMay 23, 2023About Sun PeaksClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: Nippon Cable CompanyLocated in: Sun Peaks, British ColumbiaYear founded: 1961, as Tod MountainPass affiliations: Ikon Pass: 5 or 7 days; Mountain Collective: 2 daysReciprocal partners: 2 days at Silver StarClosest neighboring ski areas: Harper Mountain (58 minutes), Silver Star (2 hours, 20 minutes)Base elevation: 3,930 feetSummit elevation: 6,824 feetVertical drop: 2,894 feetSkiable Acres: 4,270Average annual snowfall: 237 inchesTrail count: 138 trails and 19 glades (32% advanced/expert, 58% intermediate, 10% beginner)Lift count: 13 (3 high-speed quads, 4 fixed-grip quads, 2 platters, 4 carpets - view Lift Blog's inventory of Sun Peaks' lift fleet) – Sun Peaks will build a fourth high-speed quad, West Bowl Express, in 2024Why I interviewed himBecause this freaking province, man. Twenty-nine ski areas with vertical drops over 1,000 feet. Fourteen soar beyond 2,000. Five cross the 3,000-foot mark. Four pass 4,000. And BC is home to the only two ski areas in North America that give you 5,000 or more vertical feet: Whistler and King Revelstoke. Thirteen BC bumps deliver 1,000-plus acres of terrain, and at least 20 load up on 200 inches or more of snow per season. Check these stats:British Columbia is like the Lamborghini dealership of skiing. Lots of power, lots of flash, lots of hot damn is that real? No duds. Nothing you'd be embarrassed to pick up a date in. A few community bumps, sure. But the BC Bros can stack their power towers – Big White, Fernie, Kicking Horse, Kimberley, Panorama, Red, Revelstoke, Silver Star, Sun Peaks, Whistler, and Whitewater – against any collection of ski areas anywhere on the planet and feel pretty good about winning that knife fight.And yet, even in this Seal Team Six of ski resorts, Sun Peaks looks heroic, epaulets and medals dangling from its dress blues. This is the second-largest ski area in Canada. Ponder that BC ski roster again to understand what that means: Sun Peaks gives you more acreage than anything on the famed Powder Highway, more than Revy or Red or Kicking Horse or Fernie. Turn north at Kamloops, east at Hefley Creek, and get lost at the end of the valley.But Sun Peaks' sheer size is less impressive than how the resort won those big-mountain stats. “British Columbia has probably the most progressive ski resort development policy in the world,” Alexander tells me in the podcast. When he arrived at the bump that was then called “Tod Mountain” in 1993, the place was three chairlifts and some surface movers serving a single peak:Over the next 30 years, Nippon Cable transformed the joint into a vast ski Narnia not only because they were willing to funnel vast capital into the hill, but because the BC government let them do it, under a set of rules known as the B.C. Commercial Alpine Ski policy. While inspiring, this is not an unusual ski area evolution tale for Western Canada. Compare the 10 largest BC ski areas today to the 10 largest in 1994:The acreage explosions at all but Whistler-Blackcomb (which at the time operated as independent ski areas), are astonishing. To underscore the point, check out the same years' comparison for the 10-largest U.S. ski areas:Certainly, the U.S. has seen some dramatic shuffling, especially as Vail and Alterra combined Canyons with Park City and Alpine Meadows with the ski area formerly known as Squaw Valley to form the megaresorts of Park City and Palisades Tahoe. That Big Sky didn't measure on the top 10 in 1994 – the tram didn't arrive until 1995 – is amazing. But the Western U.S., in 1994, was already home to legions of enormous ski resorts. That Heavenly, Mammoth, and Jackson Hole are the exact same size today as they were 29 years ago illustrates the difference between the two countries' attitudes toward ski resort expansion and development. Canada nurtures growth. The U.S. makes it as difficult as possible. Indeed, the reason Big Sky was able to ascend to monster status is that the resort sits entirely on private land, immunizing it from Forest Service bureaucracy and the endless public challenges that attend it.Sun Peaks is a case study in BC's development-friendly policies actualized. More important: the resort's evolution is a case study in smart, transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly development. Alexander explains in the podcast that the long-range goal has been to build not just walkable base villages, but a walkable community stretching from one end of the valley to the other. This is the point that's so often missed in the United States: not all growth and development is bad. The reckless, developer-driven, luxury-focused, disconnected sprawl that is U.S. America's default building mode is terrible and inhuman and ought to be curtailed. Deliberate, dense, interconnected, metered development based upon a community masterplan - which is what Sun Peaks is doing - should be encouraged.This sort of thoughtful growth does not dilute mountain communities. It creates them. Rather than trying to freeze development in time – a posture that only kicks sprawl ever farther out from the mountains and leads directly to the traffic addling so many Western U.S. ski towns – BC has enabled and empowered the sort of place-building that will create sustainable mountain communities over the long term. It's an inspiring model, and one that The Storm will examine intensely as I focus more deliberately on Canada.What we talked aboutRecord skier visits; bringing back that international vibe; touring Western Canada; Sun Peaks' first season on the Ikon Pass; the secret giant; how to dodge what few liftlines the resort has; the Mountain Collective as Ikon test run; Tod Mountain in the early 1990s; ski area masterplanning; Sunshine Village; growing Sun Peaks from backwater to the second-largest ski area in Canada; Nippon Cable, the Japanese lift manufacturer that owns Sun Peaks; why Sun Peaks doesn't use Nippon lifts; why Sun Peaks changed its name from “Tod Mountain” in 1993; an interesting tidbit about Whistler ownership; whether Sun Peaks ever considered joining the Epic Pass; Sun Peaks' masterplan; potential terrain expansions; upgrade potential for Sunburst and Sundance lifts; future lift additions; “the guy who serves the most ski terrain with the fewest lifts is the most efficient”; going deep on the coming West Bowl Express quad and the new terrain that will go along with it; why Sun Peaks retired the West Bowl T-bar before replacing it; better access to Gil's; why Sun Peaks is building the lift over three summers; the amazing Burfield lift, a fixed-grip quad that stretches nearly 3,000 vertical feet; potentially shortening that lift; why Burfield will likely never be a high-speed lift; prioritizing lift projects after West Bowl; converting – not replacing – Orient from a fixed-grip quad to a high-speed quad or six-pack; village-building; the potential major lift that's not on Sun Peaks' masterplan; and potentially connecting the resort to the Trans-Canada highway by paved road from the east.Why I thought that now was a good time for this interviewIn April, Sun Peaks announced construction of a new high-speed quad in West Bowl for the 2024-25 ski season. The lift will replace the West Bowl T-bar, visible on this circa 2019 trailmap, on a longer line that pushes the boundary away from the 7 Mile Road trail:The resort will lengthen the existing trails to meet the new lift's load point down the mountain, as Alexander explains in the podcast.This will be Sun Peaks' third new chairlift in three years, following new fixed-grip quads at Crystal and Orient in 2020 and 2018, respectively. Sun Peaks approaches chairlift construction in a unique manner, with a history of building lifts as fixed-grip machines and then upgrading them to high-speed lifts later on. Orient, for example, may evolve into a high-speed six-pack that lands several hundred more feet up the mountain. Slowly, deliberately, endlessly, Sun Peaks grows and evolves.While Alexander and his team continue to stack bricks into the resort's foundation, they simultaneously grow the mountain's profile. A few years back, the resort joined the Mountain Collective. Last October, it joined Ikon. And, kaboom: no more secret at the end of the road.That's a good thing. If these BC giants are to thrive, they're going to need help outside the province, which hosts a population of approximately 5 million in an area the size of California (39 million residents), Colorado (5.8 million), and Utah (3.4 million) combined. That means bringing skiers burned out on Summit County and Wasatch liftlines across the border, where big ski resorts continue to get bigger and the liftlines rarely form (outside of the West Coast).I don't want to overstate the scale of what's happening in BC – certainly big projects still can and do happen in America. And even as they grow fat by North American standards, most of the province's biggest ski areas still look like birdbaths compared to the ski circuses of Europe. But imagine if, over the next 30 years, 480-acre Ski Cooper transformed into 5,317-acre Vail Mountain. That is essentially what's happened at Sun Peaks since 1993, where a small community bump evolved into an international destination resort 10 times its original size. And they're nowhere near finished – Sun Peaks' masterplan (pg. 141), outlines a monster facility at full build-out:The Mountain Master Plan … will ultimately include a total of 26 ski lifts, including one pulse gondola, one 10G/8C Combi lift one detachable grip six-passenger chairlift, four detachable quadruple chairlifts, nine fixed grip quadruple chairlifts, four platter lifts and approximately two beginner moving carpet lifts, with a total combined rated capacity of about 41,186 passengers per hour … The overall Phase 4 [Skier Comfortable Carrying Capacity] will be approximately 14,830 skiers per day. … there will be 225 trails providing 177.5 kilometers of skiing on [1,895 acres] of terrain.Here's a conceptual map of Sun Peaks at full build-out:While plenty of BC ski areas have evolved over the past several decades, no one has accomplished the trick more steadily or with such deliberate, constant momentum as Sun Peaks. It was time to check in to see how they'd done it, and what was going to happen next.What I got wrongAs is my habit, I introduced Sun Peaks as defined by our U.S. American measurement system of feet and acres. Which is not that unusual – this is a U.S. American-based podcast. However, as a courtesy to my Canadian guests, listeners, and readers, I should have also offered the equivalent measurements in meters. Only I am a dumb U.S. American so I don't actually know how to do these conversions. Sorry about that.Why you should ski Sun PeaksThe Ikon Pass is an incredible thing. Purchase one in the spring and spend the following winter bouncing across the snowy horizons. Hit half a dozen of the continent's greatest resorts in Utah, big-mountain hop in Colorado, spend a week in Tahoe or skimming between peaks at Big Sky. Or go to Canada – 10 Ikon destinations sit in the northland, and seven of them crouch in a neat circle straddling BC and Alberta: Norquay, Lake Louise, Sunshine, Panorama, Red, Sun Peaks, and Revelstoke:You could complete that circle in around 17 hours of driving. Which is not much if you're rolling through a two-week roadie and spending two or three days at each resort. Some of them could occupy far more time. Sun Peaks can eat up a week pretty easily. But for the resort-hoppers among us, an Ikon or Mountain Collective pass includes days at Canada's second-largest ski area on its ready-to-eat buffet. Here's a look at every Canadian ski area that participates in a U.S.-based megapass:So the first reason to ski Sun Peaks is that you probably already have access to it. But there's something else – you can just go there and ski. As much as I love the ski resorts of Colorado and Utah, they are just too easy to access for too many people. That's great, but skiing in those powder holes requires a certain patience, an expectation of some kind of madness, a willingness to tweak the algorithm to see what combination of snowfall, open terrain, day of the week, and time of day yields the most open path between you and turns.That calculus is a little easier at Sun Peaks: just show up whenever you want and start skiing. Outside of Whistler, the big-mountain resorts of BC resemble the big-mountain resorts of the American West 40 years ago. Endless labyrinths of untamed terrain, no one to race off the ropeline. BC's collective ski resorts have evolved much faster than the market's realization that there is another set of Rocky Mountain resorts stacked on top of the Rocky Mountain resorts of U.S. America. That's a lot of terrain to roam. And all you need is a passport. Go get it.Podcast NotesOn building an alternate route into Sun Peaks from the eastMost visitors to Sun Peaks are going to spend some time traveling to the resort along the Trans-Canada Highway. Eastbound travelers will simply turn north at Kamloops and then right at Heffley Creek. Westbound travelers pass within five miles of the resort's southeast edge as they drive through Chase, but must continue toward Kamloops before turning toward Sun Peaks – nearly an hour and a half on clear roads. There is a mountain road, unpaved and impassable in wintertime (marked in yellow below), and long-simmering plans for an alternate, less death-defying paved path that could be open year-round (market in blue below). Alexander and I discussed this road, and he seemed optimistic that it will, eventually, get built. Given Sun Peaks' record of actualizing the improbable, I share his outlook. Here's a map of the whole mess:On Nippon Cable and WhistlerWhile Sun Peaks presents as an independent ski area, it is in fact part of a Japan-based conglomerate called Nippon Cable. This is primarily a lift manufacturer, but Nippon also owns a number of ski areas in Japan and 25 percent of Whistler (seriously). Read more about their properties here.On Big Bam ski areaAlexander mentions Big Bam ski area, which sits along the Pine River just west of the Alaska Highway and south of Fort St. John. Here's a homemade trailmap that someone codenamed “Skier72” posted on skimap.org, with the caption, “Approx. Trails at Big Bam. Made with Google Earth. Top lift is future quad chair, bottom lift is rope tow”:Big Bam is a volunteer-run, weekends-only organization with 180 feet of vert. You can follow them on Facebook (their last Instapost was in 2014). Alexander mentioned that the ski area had moved from its original location, though I couldn't find any information on the old hill. The place has had a rough go – it re-opened (I believe in the current location), in 2009, and was closed from 2016 to 2019 before turning the lifts on again. They seem desperate for a chairlift. If anyone knows more about the Big Bam story, please let me know.On Sun Peaks spare lift fleetAlexander notes that Sun Peaks “might have the least number of lifts for a resort of our size” on the continent. Indeed, the ski area has the third-fewest number of lifts among North America's 10 largest ski areas:On the Burfield chairliftStow this one for ski club trivia night: Sun Peaks is home to what is very likely the longest fixed-grip chairlift in the world. The Burfield quad rises 2,890 vertical feet on a 9,510-foot-long line. According to Lift Blog, ride time is 21 minutes, and the carriers are 115 feet apart. The lift's hourly capacity is just 470 riders – compare that to the Crystal fixed-grip quad right beside it, which can move up to 2,400 skiers per hour.The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us.The Storm publishes year-round, and guarantees 100 articles per year. This is article 50/100 in 2023, and number 436 since launching on Oct. 13, 2019. Want to send feedback? Reply to this email and I will answer (unless you sound insane, or, more likely, I just get busy). You can also email skiing@substack.com. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

Mercedes Nicoll is a 5x National Champion, she has eight World Cup podiums and represented Team Canada at 4x Winter Olympics in snowboard halfpipe. Mercedes currently works in the winter at Whistler Blackcomb in the Ride with an Olympian Program. Mercedes is chair of the Canada Snowboard athlete's council with a seat on the Canada Snowboard board and is also on the Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes Commission.  In 2020 Mercedes launched, DROPPING IN a podcast with Mercedes Nicoll. Mercedes Podcast Mercedes Personal Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we continue speaking with Peter Weiland on how we can help people to embrace adversity. Peter reveals some of his biggest challenges owning a bike tour company, some of the pressures of raising kids in a mountain resort town, his philosophy to coaching kids to play soccer, and the secrets to how to help people to push their limits.Peter is a former semi-pro adventure racer, former owner of Rocky Mountain Cycle Tours and currently manages a youth soccer program. Peter is also a ski instructor at Whistler Blackcomb.Key TakeawaysThe value of having a sense of humor: Having a sense of humor can really help us to power through difficult moments.Getting people through adversity can involve setting small milestones: Nothing builds confidence like success and sometimes people need small successes. This applies to finishing long journeys and learning new skills.Kids and not pushing them:. Everyone has a limit, for kids that limit is lower. Just because someone can do something doesn't mean they will enjoy it. Just because they can finish something doesn't mean they will want to do it againJust Recognizing the value of adversity and communicating it: Sometimes, just letting people know that what they are doing is hard - while reminding them that it will be worth it - can be enough to help them to keep going.Guest LinkYou can find Rocky Mountain Cycle Tours here: https://rockymountaincycle.com/Follow or SubscribeLiked the show? Remember to follow or subscribe!Share & Social Linkshttps://linktr.ee/deliveringadventure

Emma and Tennille chat to international airline pilot, Jason Robinson about visiting Whistler Blackcomb (Canada). The layout of the town, logistics for getting around and getting to Whistler, meals in and around the mountain, best spots for apres, best ski runs for families, the weather, chairlifts, kids activities, what to do if not skiing or snowboarding and much more.

In this episode of End of Shift, Eric and Joe talk with Dr. Carolyn Kelly-Smith about the practice of medicine (and sometimes not) in austere environments.Dr. Kelly-Smith is an FRCP trained attending ED physician at the Royal Columbian and Eagle Ridge Hospitals. She is an Advanced Medical Provider for North Shore Rescue, a faculty member of the Canadian Society of Mountain Medicine and a ski patroller at Whistler/Blackcomb.Why should you care about wilderness medicine? There are many reasons – from going where the action is (increasingly outdoors) to expanding your clinical horizons by stretching your comfort zone.We examine the utility of having a physician involved in outdoor settings, be it reasonably controlled settings like a ski resort, or a complicated rescue operation with failing daylight and minimal clinical details.It's not all Mission: Impossible style heroics – sometimes the most useful clinical actions and decisions are simpler than you might think.How to get involved? We'll tell you. You'll learn about the North Shore Rescue Society and the Canadian Society of Mountain Medicine – and maybe get fired up to get out there!Resources:Documentary: Search and Rescue: North ShoreCanadian Society of Mountain Medicine

Tech titan Michele Romanow is the Co-founder and CEO of Canadian unicorn, Clearco - the world's largest e-commerce investor. The company has invested $3.2 billion in over 7,000 ecommerce and SaaS companies. Michele is a serial entrepreneur having started six companies before her 35th birthday. In addition to her work as an entrepreneur, Michele is a “Dragon” on the Canadian hit TV show Dragons' Den (Canada's Shark Tank).She previously co-founded SnapSaves, which was acquired by Groupon and was also the Co-Founder of Buytopia.ca. A prolific investor, Michele was recently named as one of Fortune's 40 under 40, a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and Canada's Angel Investor of the Year.Michele is a regular media commentator and her work has been profiled in Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, TechCrunch, and The Globe and Mail. Michele is a director for Vail Resorts, BBTV and Queen's School of Business. Previously she was a director for Freshii, Whistler Blackcomb, SHAD International and League of Innovators. Michele also co-founded the Canadian Entrepreneurship Initiative non-profit with Sir Richard Branson.In this episode, Michele teaches us how she approaches investments, what it takes to build a billion dollar company, her experience working with romantic partners and much more!How Michelle Approaches Investments What Michelle looks for in an investmentFailureWork/Life Balance and The Entrepreneur LifestyleWorking With Romantic PartnersRebranding from Clear Bank to ClearcoChanging Position From President To CEOFrom Entrepreneur To Employee To Entrepreneur AgainRevenue-Based FundingInvesting In Under-Represented EntrepreneursSolving The ‘University Route' NarrativeAre Entrepreneurs Born Or Bred?What Makes An Entrepreneur?It's Not The Years It's The Miles.Entrepreneurship From A Young AgeMichelle's Favourite Dragons' Den InvestmentsClearco Funded Companies Where Does All The Money Come From?Experience vs BooksDo You Have Any Regrets? Michele:https://instagram.com/micheleromanow?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=ClearCoWww.clear.coFor more help start here: www.purposefulproject.com 

Visitors to Sundance Mountain Resort this winter have found a wonderful new experience at one of Utah's great hidden gems. Working with the experienced Sundance team, legendary ski industry leader Bill Jensen has helped them transform the resort with new lifts, terrain, snowmaking and much more. Jensen, a longtime visionary who has led some of North America's most notable resorts, talked to Ski Utah's Last Chair about his storied career and the fun he's having coaching the team at Sundance.After stewarding Sundance for over a half-century, film legend Robert Redford sold his interest in December 2020 after carefully curating potential buyers to ensure his legacy would remain. The new investors included Broadreach Capital Partners and Cedar Capital Partners. But what was most important for skiers and riders was the inclusion of Jensen as a partner.While he didn't discover skiing until he was 19 in southern California, Jensen quickly grew passionate about the sport, starting his career at Mammoth Mountain as a liftie. In the decades since then he's hopscotched around in leadership roles from Vail to Whistler to Telluride and Intrawest. In 2019, he was inducted into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.In his new role, he fell in love with Sundance the day he hiked up to the top of Ray's Lift and then up to Mandan Summit. His vision came clear in an instant when he soaked in the view of Mt. Timpanogos from Mandan.This winter skiers were treated to a host of positive upgrades: The new high-speed Outlaw Express taking skiers from base to Mandan Summit in just seven minutes. New beginner and intermediate terrain off Mandan offering stunning new views and options. Check out Broadway! A new beginner area with three magic carpets.  A new return lift, Stairway, from the back mountain along with a new run allowing Bear Claw to base skiing or riding. The new Lookout restaurant with stunning views of Timp from the base. New snow guns as part of an upgraded snowmaking system, including a water holding pond. While he's been the top executive of the biggest ski resort companies in North America, he remains a true mountain guy always anxious to take visitors up on the mountain. Here are a few teasers from the interview. Check out the full conversation on Last Chair, available through all podcast platforms.Bill, you had a bit of a non-traditional introduction to skiing.Unfortunately, later than most people I know. Born in Hawaii and grew up in Southern California. When I was 19, for some reason I walked into a Sports Ltd. store in Woodland hills. They were showing the K2 Performers video. I saw skiing for the first time and was fascinated. I just went, ‘wow, this is incredible.' So I went skiing that winter one day, and that was it.I'll bet you were pretty excited to get a job as a liftie?It just connects you to people, and, candidly, it was fun! So that's where it all started. It was all happenstance. I had no idea that a ski area was even a business. I just saw it as some great recreational fun pursuit. And I just - I fell in love. You know, I always say, I love skiing, but I became passionate about the ski industry and the business and that's where things unfolded.You've lived in some great ski towns: Mammoth, Sun Valley, Whistler, Vail, Breckenridge. What has attracted you to those towns?In small towns, you get to know a lot of people. And I also like the fact that people depend on each other, whether it was helping them split their firewood or snow removal or whatever. You built relationships and,in ski towns, there's a common denominator that everybody loves snow and they love sliding on snow, whether they snowboard or ski now. But, you know, I just felt very comfortable in that environment. Living in a ski town, to me, just fit my ... who I was and my persona. I really like small mountain communities.What did it mean to be honored in the Hall of Fame?It's touching. It's gratifying. It wasn't something that you aspire to. I really believe in the sport. I believe that the skier is important and I've worked hard over my career to mentor people and bring new people into the business and see their careers grow. And that has been the most fulfilling part of my career.When you visited Sundance in 2020, what stood out to you?You know the word, and I don't want it to be overused, but just the sense of arrival and walking through the base - there's something magical about this resort and part of it is the environment it sits in, Mount Timp and the views. It is truly one of very few unique ski areas that have this setting. And because it was Robert Redford's business, it really was a family business, is what I would call it. And you can sense that in the culture, the staff and the people who are here. My sense is everyone feels a bit of a sense of ownership of Sundance and how it's played a role in their lives.What was the vision for the new alignment of Outlaw Express to Mandan Summit?When you're on the top of Mandan, it feels like you can just reach out and touch it (Timpanogos). It made a lot of sense for us to actually implement that lift alignment and put it all together. It was a bit more expensive than just putting something back in the place of Ray's lift. But I think for the long term and summer and everything else, it was the right decision. I think the view of Timp from the top of Mandan is probably the signature view!As a resort leader over many years, any memorable powder stories?So, Whistler Blackcomb in 2010 at the Olympics. One of the sayings in the ski industry is if you want it to snow, hold it downhill. It snowed to beat the band and the downhill was canceled. And up on the high alpine, I'm not exaggerating, there was 30 plus inches of fresh snow. And because the Olympic Committee was controlling access, there were very few people there.And as the head of Whistler-Blackcomb at the time, you can be sure he was there!Bill Jensen may be new to Utah, but he does have a favorite Utah craft beer! Learn about that and more in a fascinating discussion with one of America's visionary ski leaders about his newfound passion working with the team at Sundance. And while he's going to leave it to the Sundance staff to announce future plans, he at least gives us a few hints. Take a listen!Chad Linebaugh: Blending Art, Nature and Skiing at Sundance Mountain ResortLearn more about Sundance in this earlier episode from 2020 with President Chad Linebaugh.When you look at Sundance Mountain Resort, you need to view it as much more than a ski area. Today, Robert Redford's Sundance is a wonderful blend of art, nature and skiing. Sundance may be a small ski area, but it skis big. President and General Manager Chad Linebaugh will take you on a tour of his favorite Sundance runs in his conversation with host Tom Kelly, plus some little known facts about the famous actor.

Visitors to Sundance Mountain Resort this winter have found a wonderful new experience at one of Utah's great hidden gems. Working with the experienced Sundance team, legendary ski industry leader Bill Jensen has helped them transform the resort with new lifts, terrain, snowmaking and much more. Jensen, a longtime visionary who has led some of North America's most notable resorts, talked to Ski Utah's Last Chair about his storied career and the fun he's having coaching the team at Sundance.After stewarding Sundance for over a half-century, film legend Robert Redford sold his interest in December 2020 after carefully curating potential buyers to ensure his legacy would remain. The new investors included Broadreach Capital Partners and Cedar Capital Partners. But what was most important for skiers and riders was the inclusion of Jensen as a partner.While he didn't discover skiing until he was 19 in southern California, Jensen quickly grew passionate about the sport, starting his career at Mammoth Mountain as a liftie. In the decades since then he's hopscotched around in leadership roles from Vail to Whistler to Telluride and Intrawest. In 2019, he was inducted into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.In his new role, he fell in love with Sundance the day he hiked up to the top of Ray's Lift and then up to Mandan Summit. His vision came clear in an instant when he soaked in the view of Mt. Timpanogos from Mandan.This winter skiers were treated to a host of positive upgrades: The new high-speed Outlaw Express taking skiers from base to Mandan Summit in just seven minutes. New beginner and intermediate terrain off Mandan offering stunning new views and options. Check out Broadway! A new beginner area with three magic carpets.  A new return lift, Stairway, from the back mountain along with a new run allowing Bear Claw to base skiing or riding. The new Lookout restaurant with stunning views of Timp from the base. New snow guns as part of an upgraded snowmaking system, including a water holding pond. While he's been the top executive of the biggest ski resort companies in North America, he remains a true mountain guy always anxious to take visitors up on the mountain. Here are a few teasers from the interview. Check out the full conversation on Last Chair, available through all podcast platforms.Bill, you had a bit of a non-traditional introduction to skiing.Unfortunately, later than most people I know. Born in Hawaii and grew up in Southern California. When I was 19, for some reason I walked into a Sports Ltd. store in Woodland hills. They were showing the K2 Performers video. I saw skiing for the first time and was fascinated. I just went, ‘wow, this is incredible.' So I went skiing that winter one day, and that was it.I'll bet you were pretty excited to get a job as a liftie?It just connects you to people, and, candidly, it was fun! So that's where it all started. It was all happenstance. I had no idea that a ski area was even a business. I just saw it as some great recreational fun pursuit. And I just - I fell in love. You know, I always say, I love skiing, but I became passionate about the ski industry and the business and that's where things unfolded.You've lived in some great ski towns: Mammoth, Sun Valley, Whistler, Vail, Breckenridge. What has attracted you to those towns?In small towns, you get to know a lot of people. And I also like the fact that people depend on each other, whether it was helping them split their firewood or snow removal or whatever. You built relationships and,in ski towns, there's a common denominator that everybody loves snow and they love sliding on snow, whether they snowboard or ski now. But, you know, I just felt very comfortable in that environment. Living in a ski town, to me, just fit my ... who I was and my persona. I really like small mountain communities.What did it mean to be honored in the Hall of Fame?It's touching. It's gratifying. It wasn't something that you aspire to. I really believe in the sport. I believe that the skier is important and I've worked hard over my career to mentor people and bring new people into the business and see their careers grow. And that has been the most fulfilling part of my career.When you visited Sundance in 2020, what stood out to you?You know the word, and I don't want it to be overused, but just the sense of arrival and walking through the base - there's something magical about this resort and part of it is the environment it sits in, Mount Timp and the views. It is truly one of very few unique ski areas that have this setting. And because it was Robert Redford's business, it really was a family business, is what I would call it. And you can sense that in the culture, the staff and the people who are here. My sense is everyone feels a bit of a sense of ownership of Sundance and how it's played a role in their lives.What was the vision for the new alignment of Outlaw Express to Mandan Summit?When you're on the top of Mandan, it feels like you can just reach out and touch it (Timpanogos). It made a lot of sense for us to actually implement that lift alignment and put it all together. It was a bit more expensive than just putting something back in the place of Ray's lift. But I think for the long term and summer and everything else, it was the right decision. I think the view of Timp from the top of Mandan is probably the signature view!As a resort leader over many years, any memorable powder stories?So, Whistler Blackcomb in 2010 at the Olympics. One of the sayings in the ski industry is if you want it to snow, hold it downhill. It snowed to beat the band and the downhill was canceled. And up on the high alpine, I'm not exaggerating, there was 30 plus inches of fresh snow. And because the Olympic Committee was controlling access, there were very few people there.And as the head of Whistler-Blackcomb at the time, you can be sure he was there!Bill Jensen may be new to Utah, but he does have a favorite Utah craft beer! Learn about that and more in a fascinating discussion with one of America's visionary ski leaders about his newfound passion working with the team at Sundance. And while he's going to leave it to the Sundance staff to announce future plans, he at least gives us a few hints. Take a listen!Chad Linebaugh: Blending Art, Nature and Skiing at Sundance Mountain ResortLearn more about Sundance in this earlier episode from 2020 with President Chad Linebaugh.When you look at Sundance Mountain Resort, you need to view it as much more than a ski area. Today, Robert Redford's Sundance is a wonderful blend of art, nature and skiing. Sundance may be a small ski area, but it skis big. President and General Manager Chad Linebaugh will take you on a tour of his favorite Sundance runs in his conversation with host Tom Kelly, plus some little known facts about the famous actor.

Could the war in Ukraine speed up a transition to clean energy? The European Union has put out plans to wean itself off of Russian fossil fuels for security reasons. A Professor Emeritus at Western University and climatologist gives us his take The public inquiry examining the Nova Scotia mass shooting wo;;hear from key witnesses... but the decision was anything but simple. The CBC's Elizabeth McMillan walks us through the developments. You've no doubt noticed the sharp increase in the price you're paying at the pump. And those record gas prices are leading to an increase in fuel theft. Dozens of Canadians say they've been left out in the cold after Vail Resorts — the American owner of Whistler Blackcomb — rejected their insurance claims. Caroline Barghout of our Go Public team joined us with that story. Lots has gone wrong during the pandemic. So is it time for a wider COVID-19 inquiry or commission? And even though there's still snow on the ground, some people are already thinking ahead to their summer gardens. And whether you're a veggie veteran or a first-time gardener... your local library might be a good resource.

What do ski lifts mean to skiers? Ask Doppelmayr USA President Katharina Schmitz and she'll tell you ‘freedom.' In this episode, Last Chair host Tom Kelly chats with the leader of Utah-based Doppelmayr USA to explore the evolution of ski lifts and future trends, not only at resorts but as a vital form of mountain and urban transportation.Doppelmayr, which is located not far from the Salt Lake City International Airport, has a  history in Utah going back to the 1970s. One of its predecessor companies, CTEC, was founded here. It later morphed into Garaventa, and then became a part of Doppelmayr, an Austrian company with a history going back 125 years.Utah is a big customer itself for the company, with over a hundred lifts in the state including the Garaventa-built Snowbird tram, now over 50 years old and still one of the most iconic ski lifts in the world, and the brand new Outlaw Express high-speed quad that opened at Sundance just before Christmas.In many ways, the future of lift technology is already here with products like Doppelmayr's revamped detachable technology in D Line lifts, which are soon to come to Utah. Its tri-cable 3S line, featuring high-capacity, long span gondolas like the new Eiger Express in Switzerland and Whistler/Blackcomb's Peak-to-Peak Gondola, may also find a future home in the state.A passionate skier herself, Katharina Schmitz grew up in Austria, coming to America with her engineering degree to forge a career in the automotive and aerospace industries, before landing in Utah with Doppelmayr in 2018. It's a fascinating interview that will explain current trends in uphill transportation, showcase future innovations and even take a look into the proposed Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola and how Doppelmayr's triple-cable 3S technology could make a difference. She even speaks to the growing importance of WiFi in lift cabins!Katharina, tell us more about Doppelmayr.We have around 3,500 employees, about half of those are in Austria. The rest of us are scattered throughout the world across about 50 subsidiaries. The North American market is a key part of that, so we typically make up around 15 percent of the group's revenue. In really strong years, we were a little bit closer to 20 percent, so we certainly have a lot of attention from our group's headquarters and a lot of support as well.Why is Utah a good home for a lift company like Doppelmayr?Having a very business friendly environment certainly is a factor now. In addition to that, having several world class resorts right in our backyard is a real benefit. It helps us to collaborate closely with customers, not only in Utah but throughout the West. And having a Delta hub here is really nice to visit the rest of our customers throughout the country.The history of aerial tramways in Utah goes back to hauling mining ore in the 1800s. How has the ski lift industry evolved from there?Yes, it started with material transport and Doppelmayr still has a material transportation segment. But the core market for us is transporting people. We have seen a lot of evolution from the first surface lift in, I think, 1937, that Doppelmayr built in Austria that really started the company's ropeway business. Then if you look from there and how fast we came to the first detachable around 1970 or so, the innovation since then has just been mind blowing. So I think it shifted the profile as to what ropeways are used for or used in.What's the coolest lift installation you've seen in the world?I have a personal favorite, which is the Stoosbahn in Switzerland. It is a funicular and it has barrel shaped compartments that have a leveling floor, so you always stay horizontal. It's the steepest funicular in the world and it is the most unique ride. You're going up this amazing incline and then through a little tunnel and come out on the other side. It serves as public transport, as well as access to a smaller ski area that's car free. And it's just an amazing installation, a really fun ride.In your three seasons here in Utah, any favorite runs?Well, I'm not as territorial since I'm not native Utahn, but I very much enjoy long runs. So I really do like some of the runs up at Snowbasin - off John Paul or Needles - that are just making for a good, long, fast run.With the move from quads to six-packs and now to eight-packs, what are the important factors?Terrain and alignment certainly are the big and obvious ones. Capacity is a big topic these days. And how many people do you want to move up the mountain per hour comes with a few different factors. Lift speed is certainly a factor, but also how many carriers you have. While you typically want to go up the mountain fast, you want to be really slow going through the terminal. And so we found in recent years that having slower carriers through the stations, having longer loading intervals really helps with keeping the lift running and not having any misloads as you go. So that also explains a little bit why you see lifts with, let's say, six or eight seater chairs so you can have fewer carriers, longer loading intervals, and you would still have the same capacity doing that.So it's not just about capacity?In essence, with an eight seater, you would have a higher ultimate capacity. Most resorts don't strive for that per se. They're trying to get a certain capacity. And then it's a question on how comfortable you want your load interval to be. Increasing the load interval is a big topic and it ties into one of these other big factors - the level of skier that really uses that lift. If you have a beginner area, that's maybe one of the most important factors is making sure you can load them. If you have, you know, an alignment where it's all expert skiers, that's probably not your concern and you'll be looking for some other factors.I recall the old Park City gondola being a great place to develop a relationship with a 25-minute ride. Modern lift technology has really changed that, hasn't it? Yes, you have to be efficient about your conversation, that's for sure.

What do ski lifts mean to skiers? Ask Doppelmayr USA President Katharina Schmitz and she'll tell you ‘freedom.' In this episode, Last Chair host Tom Kelly chats with the leader of Utah-based Doppelmayr USA to explore the evolution of ski lifts and future trends, not only at resorts but as a vital form of mountain and urban transportation.Doppelmayr, which is located not far from the Salt Lake City International Airport, has a  history in Utah going back to the 1970s. One of its predecessor companies, CTEC, was founded here. It later morphed into Garaventa, and then became a part of Doppelmayr, an Austrian company with a history going back 125 years.Utah is a big customer itself for the company, with over a hundred lifts in the state including the Garaventa-built Snowbird tram, now over 50 years old and still one of the most iconic ski lifts in the world, and the brand new Outlaw Express high-speed quad that opened at Sundance just before Christmas.In many ways, the future of lift technology is already here with products like Doppelmayr's revamped detachable technology in D Line lifts, which are soon to come to Utah. Its tri-cable 3S line, featuring high-capacity, long span gondolas like the new Eiger Express in Switzerland and Whistler/Blackcomb's Peak-to-Peak Gondola, may also find a future home in the state.A passionate skier herself, Katharina Schmitz grew up in Austria, coming to America with her engineering degree to forge a career in the automotive and aerospace industries, before landing in Utah with Doppelmayr in 2018. It's a fascinating interview that will explain current trends in uphill transportation, showcase future innovations and even take a look into the proposed Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola and how Doppelmayr's triple-cable 3S technology could make a difference. She even speaks to the growing importance of WiFi in lift cabins!Katharina, tell us more about Doppelmayr.We have around 3,500 employees, about half of those are in Austria. The rest of us are scattered throughout the world across about 50 subsidiaries. The North American market is a key part of that, so we typically make up around 15 percent of the group's revenue. In really strong years, we were a little bit closer to 20 percent, so we certainly have a lot of attention from our group's headquarters and a lot of support as well.Why is Utah a good home for a lift company like Doppelmayr?Having a very business friendly environment certainly is a factor now. In addition to that, having several world class resorts right in our backyard is a real benefit. It helps us to collaborate closely with customers, not only in Utah but throughout the West. And having a Delta hub here is really nice to visit the rest of our customers throughout the country.The history of aerial tramways in Utah goes back to hauling mining ore in the 1800s. How has the ski lift industry evolved from there?Yes, it started with material transport and Doppelmayr still has a material transportation segment. But the core market for us is transporting people. We have seen a lot of evolution from the first surface lift in, I think, 1937, that Doppelmayr built in Austria that really started the company's ropeway business. Then if you look from there and how fast we came to the first detachable around 1970 or so, the innovation since then has just been mind blowing. So I think it shifted the profile as to what ropeways are used for or used in.What's the coolest lift installation you've seen in the world?I have a personal favorite, which is the Stoosbahn in Switzerland. It is a funicular and it has barrel shaped compartments that have a leveling floor, so you always stay horizontal. It's the steepest funicular in the world and it is the most unique ride. You're going up this amazing incline and then through a little tunnel and come out on the other side. It serves as public transport, as well as access to a smaller ski area that's car free. And it's just an amazing installation, a really fun ride.In your three seasons here in Utah, any favorite runs?Well, I'm not as territorial since I'm not native Utahn, but I very much enjoy long runs. So I really do like some of the runs up at Snowbasin - off John Paul or Needles - that are just making for a good, long, fast run.With the move from quads to six-packs and now to eight-packs, what are the important factors?Terrain and alignment certainly are the big and obvious ones. Capacity is a big topic these days. And how many people do you want to move up the mountain per hour comes with a few different factors. Lift speed is certainly a factor, but also how many carriers you have. While you typically want to go up the mountain fast, you want to be really slow going through the terminal. And so we found in recent years that having slower carriers through the stations, having longer loading intervals really helps with keeping the lift running and not having any misloads as you go. So that also explains a little bit why you see lifts with, let's say, six or eight seater chairs so you can have fewer carriers, longer loading intervals, and you would still have the same capacity doing that.So it's not just about capacity?In essence, with an eight seater, you would have a higher ultimate capacity. Most resorts don't strive for that per se. They're trying to get a certain capacity. And then it's a question on how comfortable you want your load interval to be. Increasing the load interval is a big topic and it ties into one of these other big factors - the level of skier that really uses that lift. If you have a beginner area, that's maybe one of the most important factors is making sure you can load them. If you have, you know, an alignment where it's all expert skiers, that's probably not your concern and you'll be looking for some other factors.I recall the old Park City gondola being a great place to develop a relationship with a 25-minute ride. Modern lift technology has really changed that, hasn't it? Yes, you have to be efficient about your conversation, that's for sure.

Do you have trust and faith in your teammates? A successful teammate is there to support, challenge, and contribute towards the end goal - no matter what it takes.Today, I'm talking to Canadian Para Alpine Ski Team member Mac Marcoux and his guide, Tristan Rodgers. Mac is a visually impaired four time Paralympic medalist, five time World Champion, and has recently pioneered blind free skiing with Tristan by his side. Together, Mac and Tristan created the short movie, Blind Faith, to document their journey as a visually impaired skier and guide duo attempting three of Whistler Blackcomb's iconic freeski lines. Mac and Tristan's relationship is an inspiring reminder that with hard work, trust, and faith, any challenge can be overcome.As an athlete, it doesn't matter whether you are in an individual or team sport, it's important to trust yourself, teammates, coaches and anyone else that is helping you to reach a goal. Building this trust requires communication and support to work together and always have each other's back.Tune in and listen to episode six of Unspoken Bravery. Mac, Tristan, and I talk about how they began working together, how they have built a foundation of trust, how they communicate while skiing together, their experience creating the movie Blind Faith, what's up next for them, and more. It's incredible to watch Mac and Tristan accomplish so much at an elite level and I am so excited for you to hear their stories.In this episode, you will learn:Mac's background (4:00)How Tristan became Mac's guide (9:33)The story of the first race that Mac and Tristan did together (20:39)About Mac and Tristan's movie, Blind Faith (29:51)Why Mac pushes himself very hard (40:17)What Mac and Tristan believe makes each other brave (53:00)Connect with Mac:Watch Blind FaithInstagramTwitterConnect with Tristan:InstagramLet's Connect!InstagramFacebookErinMielzynski.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is currently the Board Chair for Protect Our Winters Canada - an environmental group focused on fighting climate change.  He is consistently listed by media outlets as one of the most influential skiers of all time.   Mike founded Switchback Entertainment - a video production company specializing in outdoor adventure films and commercials and today we are here to talk about his newest film Sam and me - Lessons from a Life on Snow - Please welcome to IMPACT Mike Douglas!   If you like what we are doing please share, like and subscribe!   This Episode sponsored by: Creekside Health,  when in Whistler try Creekside health A team approach to your health,  better health, together https://www.creeksidehealth.ca Foundation Training - No more back pain - Ever! https://www.foundationtraining.com  Covenant House Vancouver. Covenant House provides relentless support, unconditional love, and absolute respect for youth overcoming homelessness. Learn more and support the cause at covenanthousebc.org FILM: SAM and I: Synopsis Sam Tierney was in a dark place. At 13 years old, his anxiety about climate change was so bad that he was having trouble sleeping at night. In an attempt to ease his stress, Sam wrote to Mike Douglas, pro skier and climate advocate, asking for his advice. Seeing some of his own young self in Sam, Mike suggested a weekly ski meet-up to talk about climate change, skiing and life.  Sam's end goal to ski DOA off Blackcomb Mountain,  and while Ski touring discuss,  Climate change, the glaciers receding (Blackcomb glacier) and much more.   See the film here: Salomon TV: http://tv.salomon.com/story/sam-and-me   Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SalomonTV     Mike Douglas | Long Bio | 2021   Known as the ‘Godfather Of Freeskiing', Mike Douglas is consistently listed by media outlets as one of the most influential skiers of all time. He began his career as a mogul skier on the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team in the early 1990s. In 1997, he developed the first high-performance twin-tip ski, the Salomon Teneighty, and his freeskiing career was launched. Dubbed the New Canadian Air Force, Mike and his crew of Canadians revolutionized the sport with their tricks at ski resorts across the globe. He even has a signature tick - the D Spin. Mike has appeared in more than 50 ski films, was named Powder Magazine's ‘Male Skier Of The Year' in 2003, and was the voice of skiing at the X Games for 14 years.   In 2004, Mike founded Switchback Entertainment - a video production company specializing in outdoor adventure films and commercials. He launched the groundbreaking web series, Salomon TV, in 2007 and has produced/directed more than a dozen award-winning films including The Freedom Chair, Tempting Fear, Eclipse, Snowman, Guilt Trip and Fountain Of Youth.   From 1997-2017 his roll as a marketing consultant and ambassador for Whistler Blackcomb helped propel the organization to the top of the ski resort rankings. He has been named ‘Favourite Whistlerite' 7 times by the readers of Whistler's local newspaper, Pique Newsmagazine.     Today, Mike is a married father of two, and splits his time between raising his family, skiing professionally, producing/directing films and commercials at Switchback Entertainment, and environmental advocacy work. He is currently the Board Chair for Protect Our Winters Canada - an environmental group focused on fighting climate change. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation.   You can find him on social media at: Instagram: @mikedski Twitter: @mikedski Facebook.com/mikedouglas     Fountain of Youth:  Film: Aging pro freeskier, Mike Douglas, travels to Japan in search of the secrets to perpetual youth and longevity. Between powder skiing sessions, he explores the Japanese diet, fitness, onsens and temples. The most profound advice, however, comes from a day spent with Mt. Everest age record holder, Yuichiro Miura and his son Gota. Get the FREE Salomon TV app : - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... - iOs: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/salom... For our latest products, news, stories, highlights and more, go to our official website at: - http://www.salomon.com Follow Salomon on: - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salomon- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salomon/- Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@salomon- Twitter: https://twitter.com/salomonsports- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.fr/officialsalo... #TimeToPlay   #protectourwinters @protectourwinters #whistlerblackcomb @whistlerblackcomb #skiing #Fountainofyouth #Japan #skiJapan #samandme #YuichiroMiura #GotaMiura #Hakuba47 #mikedski @mikedski 

It's not every week one has the opportunity to speak to a recipient of the Queens' Jubilee Medal - but this week I did when I had the pleasure of connecting with Perry Schmunk - Managing Director for the CSIA ( Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance). Across time zones and the Atlantic - in this first part of a 2 part conversation we talk about his journey to the mountains and ski instruction from his roots in Saskatchewan, Canada. I first had the opportunity to meet and work with Perry at Whistler Blackcomb many years ago, but you'll hear that he has an eclectic background and many talents with adventures to match! This episode is brought to you by our sponsor Dewerstone.com visit them and use the code LOTB15 for 15% off. If you fancy supporting this podcast check out: www.buymeacoffee.com/lotb You can find out more about the CSIA at https://www.snowpro.com/en/

The Blade Dive Episode 33 - We are joined by the humble, genuine  and all round' badass Snowcat operator…Ty Weed! Hailing from Canada, Weed was eventually placed around creditable and highly influential operators such as Charles Beckinsale, Lucas Ouellette and Steve Petrie. Ty Weed has contributed to Whistler Blackcomb, Canada's Terrain Park for almost two decades and in doing ,so landed an awesome opportunity with Arena Snowparks. Ty Weed has built features for brands and companies such as Monster Energy, Redbull, Matchstick Productions and FIS. Growing up in Pitt Meadows, Canada, Ty Weed took an interest in board sports early on.  So much though, that being outside was where Weed was  happiest. With a nudge from school leadership, Weed was able to pursue volunteer work at the near by mountain, Mount Seymour, Canada.Ty Weed, would later adventure towards Whistler. To pay the bills initially, Weed was a door man, checking ID's at the local watering hole. Eventually Weed would land an interview for Park Crew, and the rest is history. Enter Lucas Ouellette,  and a friendship that is treasured and a job with Arena Snowparks. Weed still operates Snowcats, but in recent years has created his own Home Inspection business. Ty Weed is well respected by many and to this day, continues to be sought after for industry insight and advice on building techniques. Episode 31 is a really interesting listen into the life and career of someone who is so passionate about the Snowboard community but absolutely treasures his family time at home. We discuss “The Stoke” and what it means to each of us, being a parent and operating on swing shift and the sincere value of surrounding yourself with good people. The conversation was so much fun.  Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive Jobs at Crystal Mountain:http://crystalmountainresort.com

It's not about the bike this week. From time to time, I branch out to have a conversation with someone who inspires me.Kirby Brown is an old friend who I met in Whistler B.C. back in the 90's. At the time we were both working for Whistler Mountain, now Whistler Blackcomb. Kirby worked in guest services, while I worked at McKonkey's Sports Shop across the hall as a rental “technician”. We've always kept in touch.Kirby would constantly challenge himself in roles he felt he was under qualified for but would allow him to make change in impactful ways. Along the way he discovered his passion for community building, which became his primary focus and he has found great personal meaning working at making the world a better place. In 2015, Kirby became the GM of the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish BC. His goal was to create an experience for guests to showcase the beauty of the region, and the community responded with their full support. But that support wasn't universally felt. Some disagreed with the project, and worked to undermine this vision. On Aug. 10, 2019, someone climbed up one of the towers and cut the haul rope, bringing the entire dream down. This not only devastated the business but also affected the community deeply. Kirby stepped up to not only help breath life back into the project, but also to focus on taking care of all the employees and families that were affected. Then, just months after the gondola's resurrection, it was cut down a second time. Kirby is also on the board for Playground Builders, a wonderful organization that he joined in 2007.“We build playgrounds for children in war-torn areas. In Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine, there are no safe places for children to play. Most kids have never experienced the joy of a swing or the thrill of a slide. We are dedicated to building hope and peace through the gift of play.”In this episode we cover a lot of ground. We talk about Playground Builders as well as the tragic story of the Sea to Sky Gondola. We chat about the importance and meaning behind altruism and how helping others can bring more joy to our own lives. Kirby is a good dude and someone that I look up to as a mentor and I'm grateful for our friendship. I hope you enjoy this conversation.Save 25% off a consultation at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout.Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for supporting me!Visit Rollingdale Cycle!

The Blade Dive, Episode 27 - We are joined by Canadian snowboard badass and Snowcat operator extraordinaire AKA “The Little Dipper”…Lucas Ouellette.  Lucas has spent time around the best operators in the industry as well as the best riders and skiers. Traveling the world to build Terrain Parks is a massive personal commitment and is consuming, but Ouellette is a family man who cherishes and prioritizes time with his family. The Ontario native is 100% all about sharing the STOKE! Landing a Terrain Park Manager job at the age of 16 with Lakeridge Ski Resort, Ontario Canada was a pretty good sign and step in the right direction, to where Ouellette wanted to take his career. Eventually moving to Vancouver, Canada, Whistler Blackcomb would become the canvas. Ouellette would later gain the trust of Steve Petrie and join Arena Snowparks. Ouellette has contributed to the company by fabricating features, from rails to boxes and everything in between, building contest venues, photoshoot features etc. Ouellette wants to keep parks evolving and growing as well as the ridership….period. Episode 27 is a real deep dive into Lucas Ouellette's vision of Terrain Parks. We discuss the value in creating parks that are accessible for everyone, what life would look like without Snowboarding, wearing multiple hats of responsibility within a company, how important it is to learn from your mistakes. Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

"The Big Dipper" The Blade Dive Podcast, Episode 15 - we are joined by Steve Petrie.  A Terrain Park legend from Ottawa, Canada. Steve Petrie developed a passion for Snowboarding at a young age, later landing an opportunity at Whistler Blackcomb and eventually going on to establish Arena Snow Parks.Petrie's interest in catching air "took off", while building wooden ramps as a kid. Petrie's dad encouraged that interest in Skiing and Snowboarding, by driving south from Ottawa, Canada  and stopping at as many resorts as possible along the journey west, across the country. Petrie's family supported the Terrain Park pioneer's primary interest in Action Sports; BMX, Skateboarding and Snowboarding. Petrie ultimately drove  his Toyota Tercel towards Vancouver, British Columbia in 1994.  landing a job working for Whistler Blackcomb in the Vehicle Maintenance shop, Petrie furthered his skillset and the then Grooming Manager, Stan Kelly, Offered Petrie a job within the Grooming Department.Petrie went on to build Superpark features and in 2005, founded Arena Snow Parks. The highly successful rider owned and operated Terrain Park consulting and contracting business has gone on to design and construct not only Snowpark accessories and tools but leading industry projects such as Holy Bowly, and has traveled the globe contributing to Olympic venues such as Halfpipes and Slopestyle courses in Canada, Russia and China. Episode 15 is a deep dive into the life of an innovator for the Snow Industry – the OG of Canada. We discuss what its like to balance a Terrain Park Consulting business and a family. We revisit some historic moments in park building, such as Cutters Cup. We also evaluate the future and how cultivating new interest may be possible through smaller Halfpipes.Enjoy...  and if you're in the machine, go ahead and TURN THE VOLUME UP!Follow us on:https://www.instagram.com/thebladedive/https://www.facebook.com/thebladedive

Whistler Blackcomb will be shut down until April 19th. In our previous segment, David Hawksworth suggested a lot of people are coming to visit Whistler from out of Province.    We check in with Whistler Mayor, Jack Crompton

I had the honour to speak with Barry Allison from Ski CONNEXIONS, Whistler Blackcomb, and Yes Improvement. It was a pleasure to have a smile and chat with a mate from years gone past. Barry shared with me some of his adventures from Eastern Canada to Level 4 in Whistler & starting his technical boot fitting service, Ski Connexions, and I found out some stories I didn't even realise. Barry started his skiing career in the Ottawa area in 1987. After achieving his CSIA (Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance) level III in 1990 he and some close friends decided it was time to head west. What was originally planned to be a couple seasons wound up being many many years! During this time, Barry achieved his CSIA level IV and became an active Course Conductor with the CSIA. Catch up on our conversation on all Podcast providers. Legends of the Brand https://apple.co/3lGd38p Thank you to our sponsor Croft Watches www.croftwatces.com use code LEGEND25 for 25% off. @ski_connexions Ski Connexions http://skiconnexions.ca Yes Improvements https://www.yesimprovement.com Whistler Blackcomb https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com

Marc Riddell, Director of Communications at Whistler Blackcomb | Whistler Blackcomb - Climate Change, The Future of Summer Skiing, COVID | Brought to you by Alta Ski Area "Climate change is real. Whistler Blackcomb has been proactive for decades to prepare for it. The Horstman T-bar, yeah, it's an iconic lift. We hadn't used it for 3-years. But it's [closing of the Horstman T-bar for summer skiing] certainly had to do with changes in the profile of the glacier. What we do know is that glaciers in British Columbia and around the world are receding. We're not immune and we shouldn't expect to be immune." - Marc Riddell, Director of Communications at Whistler Blackcomb Marc Riddel is the director of communications at Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America. In this episode, Marc & Miles talk about climate change, summer skiing & riding, the melting of the Horstman Glacier, the closing of the Horstman T-Bar, the future of Whistler Blackcomb, COVID restrictions, Australians, going 100% cashless, the biggest challenges for Whistler this season. Marc Riddell answers these in-depth questions: Is this going to be THE season to be at Whistler Blackcomb because of less people? Will Whistler's terrain parks and half pipes be affected by Coronavirus restrictions? Does Whistler Blackcomb attribute this to climate change? What is Whistler Blackcomb doing to address climate change? Will summer skiing & riding on the Horstman Glacier continue in the summer as it has each year since 1987? What is the future of summer skiing and riding at Blackcomb? What will be the silver linings of this Coronavirus ski season? Please enjoy! *** This episode is brought to you by Alta Ski Area, home of the deepest average annual snowfall in the Rocky Mountains. *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please share with friends & family and please subscribe. Follow SnowBrains: SnowBrains.com Facebook: facebook.com/snowbrains Instagram: instagram.com/snowbrains Twitter: twitter.com/snowbrains The SnowBrains Podcast Episode #9 - Marc Riddell, Director of Communications at Whistler Blackcomb Recorded on October 27th, 2020 in Santa Cruz, CA (Miles Clark) and Pemberton, B.C., Canada (Marc Riddell). This episode was edited by Robert Wilkinson. Music by Chad Crouch. Host, producer, and creator = Miles Clark.

Commercial fishing has long topped the Bureau of Labor Statistics' list of jobs with the most fatalities -- and crabbing in the Alaskan waters is by far the most lethal form of fishing. Guest Robert Travis shares his experiences as a greenhorn deckhand straight out of Dutch Harbor and re-lives harrowing tales of surviving a treacherous 122-day stint fishing for Alaskan crab on the frigid, unforgiving Bering Sea. Read the full blog post for episode #145 at safetyphd.com. PRO SNOWBOARDER. After high school, Rob was a sponsored professional snowboarder and a coach at the Camp of Champions for four summers in Whistler Blackcomb - which is a ski resort located in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. By many measures it is the largest ski resort in North America. He broke his tib/fib in July and was put in full leg cast. The lure of adventure and cash called, and Rob cut off the cast with an angle grinder and headed to Alaska for crabbing season. ALASKAN CRABBING - SIGNING THE DEADLY CONTRACT. Rob shared that he nearly walked away from his opportunity to sign a contract with a crab boat company. The harrowing tales told by locals were just about enough to turn back the men that have a predisposition to seek this level of risk. However, Rob signed the contract and clearly understood the statement that he would experience injury or be killed by doing this work. Survive, and pocket more than $65,000 for 4 months work. Also, know that a 5-year “veteran” deckhand is a rarity as most are maimed or killed before they reach that mark. DANGERS ON DECK. Working on a 198-foot converted ice breaker, Rob was fortunate to be on one of the most durable rigs out on the ocean. Most crabbing takes place in the unforgiving Bering Sea. Ice can coat boat decks, 700-pound cages being winched aboard can lurch and sweep workers overboard. Even in a survival suit, designed to provide insulation from cold water, death can come before help arrives. About 80% of crab fishery fatalities are from drowning. WHEN THE HORN BLOWS. 16-hour shifts were typical and the swells often unrelenting. The job was so demanding that workers consumed 7000 or more calories daily (triple the intake of a typical adult male). There was one thing that every deckhand dreaded - a blast from the ship's horn. Rob explained that the skipper was in the wheelhouse and overlooked the deck. The skipper also monitored the ocean and could see approaching swells, some 60-feet high! The skipper would then blast the horn alerting the deckhands to immediately grab onto something sturdy and brace for the unpredictable combination of waves rolling over the deck, a rising or plummeting deck, and sharp angle tilts -- not to mention the possibility of a 700-pound crab cage breaking loose and skidding across the deck. Rob recalled the searchlights of nearby boats - trying to find and recover an overboard sailor. He noted that staying fit gave him a split-second advantage to getting to safety and noted that being light and fit are great attributes for this line of work. CONCRETE IN HIS VEINS. Concrete is the family business for Rob - it's in his lineage, the family crest. He was pouring 250,000 square feet a summer with his dad when he was 15 and started his own concrete company at age 17 - pouring in summers and snowboarding in winters. After the 2007 crab boat season, Rob decided to start a concrete business. After regrouping from damage sustained in a massive wildfire, he continued to expand his concrete work. He's won gold medals at the international polished concrete awards twice in craftsman and commercial division. ROOF TOP LIFE RAFTS. Roughly five years ago, Rob and a small group of friends were determined to design and build the best safety and survival gear for floods and natural disasters. Hence, Roof Top Life Rafts was founded. Millions of people around the world endure deadly, unpredictable floods from storms, natural disasters or failure of water management systems. Homeowners, office workers, students, all need a solution to get themselves to safety in an emergency flood situation. More about RTLR when Rob returns to the show later this year! FOLLOW DR. PERRODIN: Twitter @SafetyPhD and subscribe to The Safety Doc YouTube channel & Apple Podcasts. SAFETY DOC WEBSITE & BLOG: www.safetyphd.com. The Safety Doc Podcast is hosted & produced by David Perrodin, PhD. ENDORSEMENTS. Opinions are those of the host & guests. The show seeks to bring forward productive discourse on topics relevant to personal or community safety. This is episode 145 of The Safety Doc Podcast published on 8-3-2020. Purchase Dr. Perrodin's Book: School of Errors – Rethinking School Safety in America. www.schooloferrors.com. Robert Travis' website:  https://www.rooftopliferafts.com/  

If you want a fantastic read to inspire your Customer Experience journey, look no further than Dr Mark Colgate's Science of Service. A great read that is anchored in science and research not one hit wonders. With fun analogies, he explores some of the salient themes from his book including the 3Rs framework including the importance of Reliability and consistency, keeping your core promise. He discusses the importance of excellence, coaching and accountability as levers for Customer Experience. If you haven't yet picked up his book, I highly recommend reading it! Mark Colgate is an award-winning Professor of Service Excellence at the University of Victoria, Gustavson School of Business. He is also a regular professor at the China European Business School in Shanghai, the leading business school in China, and has taught in Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. Mark's primary research areas are service excellence and coaching and he's known for his passion for excellent customer service and his innovative teaching style. Mark has consulted for many service organizations including the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, TELUS, the Bank of Ireland, the Bank of New Zealand, Kiwi Experience, Sony, Toyota, Enerco and Whistler Blackcomb. For More Information: https://markcolgate.com/ Listen More Episodes: https://thecustomer.guru/ Powered By Propulo Consulting: https://propulo.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss our recently published Northstar review and how the resort stacks up against other Tahoe destinations. We explain our crowd flow ratings in light of an atrociously long Vail lift line that went viral this season.Relevant links:Northstar reviewAll Lake Tahoe reviewsVail lift line video Vail, Whistler Blackcomb, Jackson Hole, Big Sky reviews