Hey you fat@ss patrollers and instructors out there

[Bunion 2020]

it's an interesting thought; how much does the voly program effect the living wages of the pros?

Like so many things/places, it depends.

For my program I use a mix of ex-pros and some locals as my Voly staff. It allows for my paid folks the option to take a day off and the remainder of the crew to not run short. It also helps us cover the really busy times (X-mas, Presidents week, special events like Headwaters Spring Runoff) without adding to the budget.

In terms of whether or not I can cut positions by having Volunteers, I can't.

In terms of paying less because I have volunteers, I can't.

For recruiting future paid staff? This is where a lot of them start out.

I always thought the pay was ludicrous when weighted against the personal safety, and responsibility.

Yep, we don't do it for the money, most of my folks do it because they enjoy the lifestyle and spending 5 months working with each other.

[Smoova]

Thinly-veiled age discrimination. I wouldn't be surprised if this program only lasts one season.

[catfishjon]

@SheaRa
I do not think ski school instructors have to lift anything above their head. You have to lift something like 50lbs to your waist and 25lbs to your shoulders. Other than that there is a pushup test (11 in 1 minute), a sit up test (not sure of the numbers), and agility test (jumping around a box), and a balance test (standing on 1 foot). There is also a sit and reach. You have to be able to reach to about the top of where your ski boot would be.

If you are a new hire there is a physical I believe. Im not really sure about that though.

[zion zig zag]

Thinly-veiled age discrimination. I wouldn't be surprised if this program only lasts one season.

It's a job where you need to be fit, I think it's defensible.

[CarveMan]

Back when I worked in Vail they had a knee test for instructors.

I was 21 and never had knee issues so it was never a problem for me, but for the people who had previously had operations etc it showed them up.

[shera]

I had a knee test last year at Snowbird for prehire. I think they were testing laxity in the acl? I had like 1mm in my right knee and left was perfect. Still far within their spec (up to 4mm?). I don't really remember.

[leroy jenkins]

Thinly-veiled age discrimination. I wouldn't be surprised if this program only lasts one season.

I had a ski coach when I was a kid, herman, he was austrian, and well into his 70s, he could have done this test no problem.

We had a SL race at howelson hill at steamboat once. Tons of ski clubs from all over the state. Each was allowed to set up a practice course, but it was first come first serve as to where you got to set up your course. Obviously the lane right next to the race course was the most similar and going to be the most sought after. Before dawn, while my 20something and 30something coaches were sleeping most likely hung over, Herman put a bunch of gates on his back, hiked up, and set part of our course before the lifts opened. Everyone, including the other coaches were a bit surprised when we got up there, but herman couldnt understand what the big deal was, he just went for a little stroll is all.

Test has nothing to do with age.

[shera]

Test has nothing to do with age.

I agree. How your body functions as you age is something that you have a lot of control over. It's a choice.

[powdork]

Thinly-veiled age discrimination. I wouldn't be surprised if this program only lasts one season.

how is this age discrimination. either you're fit enough to do the job, or you're not. i'm in the best shape of my life. coincidentally i'm older than i've ever been. go figure.

[shera]

@SheaRa
I do not think ski school instructors have to lift anything above their head. You have to lift something like 50lbs to your waist and 25lbs to your shoulders. Other than that there is a pushup test (11 in 1 minute), a sit up test (not sure of the numbers), and agility test (jumping around a box), and a balance test (standing on 1 foot). There is also a sit and reach. You have to be able to reach to about the top of where your ski boot would be.

If you are a new hire there is a physical I believe. Im not really sure about that though.

Cool thanks. For the lifting - is it like a deadlift with a bar to the waist? And to the shoulders, is it like a snatch with a bar? I think those are the terms...just trying to form an image in my mind.

[catfishjon]

to the waist is like a deadlift but i think they use some sort of box with handles, not a barbell. the shoulder one would be considered a high pull i guess (a snatch is above the head). but imagine holding a milk crate at your waist and lifting it to touch your chin.

[Ed el Loco]

Instructors should have to stoop down and help up a 9 year old every ten minutes for 2 hours.

[DasBlunt]

i am sure it has been said, but this shit is one step away from drug testing.

For patrol, I fucking hope to god they are getting tested for on the job shit, but for instructors...let them smoke that fatty!

[powdork]

i am sure it has been said, but this shit is one step away from drug testing.

For patrol, I fucking hope to god they are getting tested for on the job shit, but for instructors...let them smoke that fatty!

i'm ok with patrol being high when they get to me. and they better not be out either.

one step short of drug testing? i don't think so. i think with drug testing the resorts understand they would save on insurance, but have to pay a higher wage. this is more like an alternative to drug testing.

and if you're concerned about marijuana and safety, then having your kid ride a chairlift for the first time with a pot smoking poodle should concern you just as much as patrol being high when they scrape your bloody carcass off a lift tower. that last bit is related to the words of a patrol who had burned just prior to receiving a call about a guy hitting a tower at a tahoe resort. he was a little freaked on the ski down but went into auto upon arrival. me, i was the pot smoking poodle. nobody died in either case.

[Gnarcal]

Anyone else feel like they should do a "We recognize you have a "winning personality" but can you actually ski parallel" test for instructors? Seriously, second day on the job this chick falls off the side of a green run, everyone was thinking, wait, being able to ski greens helps you teach people to ski greens.

[Edgnar]

Instructors should have to stoop down and help up a morbidly obese 9 year old every ten minutes for 2 hours.

FTFY....