9 replies to this topic

[xman]

How often does this happen or does it at all? I assume every mountain is different on their policy and also it probably depends on where the tower is located. It makes sense to me for quick response depending on where you are on the mountain when a lift goes down. I guess if your a lift tech on a mountain you have 100% access to a snowmobile?

Also, this isn't the only reason I want to work in this industry........

This post has been edited by xman: 13 May 2009 - 10:27 AM

[vons]

lift maintenance is usually on a doo , though some times they take a lap or too so they can get a look at there line equipment in operation.

[SuperRat]

We ski around to check the line equipment and terminals too. We try not to have more than one guy riding lifts at a time. Five guys out of our six man crew skis regularly.

We also use snow machines without much restriction. In the past there have been attempts to eliminate machines on the hill during skiing hours, usually after someone from another department has a close call with a guest, but it always proves impractical during emergencies.

But we're happy to do our jobs while skiing to help keep machine traffic on the hill down.

Also, we all use telemarking equipment and I'd say tele-boots make tower climbing and terminal machinery-hopping much easier than in alpine boots.

This post has been edited by SuperRat: 13 May 2009 - 11:19 AM

[2milehi]

Every mountain is different - Keystone there is NO riding/skiing/teleing/sledding/skating/tubing while on the clock for lift maintenance. At Breckenridge as long as you have been certified, skiing on the clock is fine.

[Jonni]

None of our lift mechs ski on the clock, but in operations we usually have one out of the three or four of the supervisors skiing. Makes getting from point A to point B that much quicker depending on the situation. Snowmos are allowed on the hill during operating hours with restrictions, but on a busy day skis tend to be a better way to go. There are also select busy days where one lift mech will just stay at the summit to "babysit" our two summit lifts as well as to give short breaks to the two summit lift operators so as to minimize snowmo traffic on the hill.

[Kicking Horse]

At Snowmass for the lift techs there either ski or are on a machine. Depends on what's going down that day. There is always 1 mech on a doo for each section of the mountain. Lift operators are given a ski break if operations allow for it.

[liftmech]

Operators here will ski from the top to the bottom on a designated route while switching stations. They may ski on their breaks, but they're not covered under workman's comp. We are allowed to ski to do line checks and visit lifts, but that rarely happens due to daily chores and broken lifts.

[lift_electrical]

We have designated sled routes on the hill with a little grey area allowing us to travel where needed. We sled to our assigned lifts in the morning then park them till the hill closes unless an emergency calls for a sled. We can ski during our shifts with some limits. The operators are on the same sled program, parked till the end of the day. They do get ski breaks and are on workman's comp. while they ski for what it is worth.

From a person who personally has been involved in a snowmobile/skier collision, I am all for parking the sleds during the day.

[xman]

Thanks for the responses guys. Who would typically determine if its allowed? Mechanical/Electrical Supervisors? Mountain Ops management? Seems like most a

[monkey]

xman, on 03 June 2009 - 12:23 PM, said:

Thanks for the responses guys. Who would typically determine if its allowed? Mechanical/Electrical Supervisors? Mountain Ops management? Seems like most a

Due to the type of terrain at the bird are snow-mo use during operation is restricted to "emergencies". Since most of our towers are inaccessable to snow-mo's everyone in the shop has to ski or ride, and ski well . So not only is it the safest way too get around, but in most cases the only way. Besides who would not want to ski off the peak with a drop sheave, rope lifter and tools in 20 plus inches of chewed up beater bumps. And yes tele-gear is the only way to go anywhere like up icy tram towers. Every resort has different policies regarding skiing/riding on the clock but our boss knows it is the only way for us to do the job. IT WOULD BE LONG DAY AT WORK WITHOUT SKIS ON MY FEET !!