MSS March Newsletter
- MSS Admin
- Mar 6, 2024
- 5 min read
Saturday March 2 was one for the books! Rendezvous Bowl received 20” of snow from close on Friday afternoon to usual opening at 9:00 that morning. With high winds and extreme avalanche risk, management made the decision to keep the lifts closed; Teewinot Lift was the sole spinning chair. Yet, in spite of this, MSS had multiple stories of laughter and great mountain adventures. The Kids Ranch crew built an igloo (see above). Youth seasonal program groups lapped the Antelope Flats terrain park. Adults learned how to ski- for the first time ever. An army of snowmen emerged at the AV line and an impromptu kicker afforded great entertainment at the base. Thanks to everyone that made it to work through bus delays and traffic and greeted our guests so warmly. Thanks as well for the total pro communication with your guests about the delays and conditions. Last but not least- huge props to the Patrol, Lifties, Groomers and all the other operations teams that continued to work in brutal conditions to get the mountain in shape for the next day.
On Friday March 1, the Jackson community lost a long-time and well-loved member. Kelly Krause, an MSS family member as well, passed away because of a tree well immersion. He was skiing with a group of friends in a BYO local’s group. Kelly’s family has started a GoFundMe site to fund a culinary scholarship endowment in Kelly’s honor.
Deep Snow Safety Message
The photos below show a 6’1” skier standing on the snow surface next to a tree and then stepping into the tree well- he virtually disappears.
While immersion injuries are typically attributed to avalanches, just as common are immersion injuries due to tree wells and terrain traps. The MOST effective way of mitigating deep snow immersion injuries is AVOIDANCE. Follow the following protocols as we ski/ride through the upcoming big snow cycle:
1. If your students aren’t very competent powder skiers/riders, avoid the trees during and immediately post-storm. Monitor fatigue levels in your students. As they tire, reduce the terrain intensity you are skiing or riding.
2. Be very aware of terrain traps- tight trees, steep gullies, or stream beds- where the snow base is less compacted. When skiing trees, aim for the open spaces and wide alleys. Obey, without exception, any closed areas.
3. Employ the ‘buddy system’ for your groups. Pair students up, keep each other in visual contact, emphasize communications on stopping points and routes selection. Make a point of skiing/riding shorter stretches so that you can keep an eye on each other.
4. Coach go last whenever possible. From behind, you can keep an eye on your group and help with gear retrieval. Seek opportunities to team teach.
The following is a link to a really informative video discussing avoidance and rescue techniques for snow immersion situations-
Skiing/riding powder is so much fun- let’s keep it safe as well!
Cool things MSS gets to do…
Last week’s Steep and Deep camp hosted 3 adaptive athletes. In addition to charging around in-bounds following their coaches Jandi Maxwell and Brian Guido, they skied Rock Springs with two of our backcountry guides- Brandan Burns and Brenton Reagan. They are picture above in Rock Springs.
Admin Corner
As we transition into Spring (ironic in light of the recent weather!), the admin team would like to inform you about several updates to our uniforms:
Warm Weather: With spring fast approaching, some of you will be looking to shed layers with the warm weather. We allow people on the magic carpet & lower mountain to do this, but please stay away from bold patterns & colors as well as large off-brand logos under your uniform pieces. We plan to have extra, lighter, uniform pieces with the JHMR logo available in the Kid's Ranch for people to borrow on spring days.
Uniform Returns: As the season winds down, please keep an eye out for information on ProCard and in email about uniform returns. Our Tier 1 rush days are ending in March, and we will start collecting uniforms after that.
Broken/Replacement Uniforms: Moving forward, we are looking for written requests regarding all broken uniforms and replacements. You can email admin (james.huffman@jacksonhole.com, ashley.toon@jacksonhole.com, carmela.olmo@jacksonhole.com), or write your request on the uniform return sheet posted on the payroll office door. Please note that it can take a few days to get a replacement to you if we do not have it stocked in the office.
Seasonal Program wind-downs
The youth seasonal programs will be wrapping up throughout this week and ending on Mar 10th. The highly anticipated Wrap Up Costume Parade will be on display those afternoons. You can catch them on Pooh Bear starting at 2:00 pm.
Business forecast
Business will pick back up this weekend and remain relatively steady through the end of the month. Private lesson bookings are pretty consistent through the month. Group lessons show a spike during the week of Mar 11 and then again the week of Mar 24th. The overall spike in business looks to be the week of Mar 11. While business does drop after Easter Weekend (Mar 30 and 31), there are more lessons on the books already for that first week in April than we had at this point last year. If you have availability- especially for this upcoming weekend into the early part of the week, please reach out to your supervisor.
Upcoming Village Events
If it ever stops snowing, we will get to watch some of the top youth racers in the country. The U18 races are being held on Crags/Moran Runs. The events here will be the speed events- Downhill and Super G. The weather is forecast to clear so we should have some amazing viewing later this week. The course will close both Moran and Crags Runs to the public; depending on the course surfaces, race crew may keep those arenas after the close of racing for the day.
Also- stay tuned for the ever-popular CARDBOARD BOX RACE. This popular event will be held on Mar 21 at the close of the day. Start building NOW- if last year was any to gauge by- there are some very creative minds out there! Cardboard, duct-tape and paint are all that is allowed.
CERTIFICATION BONANZA
Alpine certification assessments are being held this week- Mar 5, 6 and 7th. There are Level 2 and Level 3 groups out on the hill during these dates. The Children’s Specialist 1 and 2 wrapped within the last week. Give these candidates some high fives and big smiles when you see them in the locker rooms and on the hill.
Child Care
If you are interested in child care for your kiddos for the summer season, please reach out to Hailey (hailey.sentz@jacksonhole.com). She will be taking applications and can answer any of your questions.
Thanks as always for everything you do- your professionalism and passion shows through every day.
MSS Management
Mountain Sports School Management
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
P.O. Box 290
Teton Village, WY 83025
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