Back on the slopes!

Hooray – I got in two runs yesterday morning on our opening day at Park City Mountain Resort. They weren’t full length runs, as I was up with our videographer (great video by Erik Hutchins) and also had a camera and was taking some photos myself (BTW the guy on the right side of this photo has struck the same pose two years running). But it was great to get some sliding in and satisfy myself that the season is ‘officially’ on!

In truth, this has been a slow starting winter for us and much of the Rocky Mountain region. We’ve had unseasonably warm weather and little snow, which leads to a bit of a challenge for a resort marketer, particularly in today’s challenging economic times. At least with the resort open, we now have a positive and tangible message to start putting out, I just hope it snows (a lot) and soon – see you on the slopes!

Photo credit: Me, shot for Park City Mountain Resort

Two weeks until opening.

Our scheduled opening day (always have to say scheduled, because you never really know for sure) is just two weeks from today – yikes! Even now, going into my sixth season working for a ski resort, I still feel the pressure of needing to have so many projects finished up and ready to roll by one hard deadline. However, it’s always great to catch up with all the returning seasonal staff who are starting to show up in the office and hallways again. In many respects, I have to think it’s like getting ready for the first day of school for a teacher – probably similar in pay scale too (I definitely wouldn’t do this job if I didn’t love it).

Here’s the kicker, a few months ago, I thought it would be neat to head back home to Minnesota to help our sales department out at the Minneapolis Ski & Snowboard Show this coming weekend, from November 14-16. Due to the show times, we actually leave on Thursday and come back on Monday, so my brilliant decision means that I have just seven more working days, instead of ten, until opening, guess I’ll be spending some time working remotely from the hotel. If you do come by the show, please stop by the Park City Mountain Resort booth and come say hello to Brooke or myself.

Photo credit: me!