Dave's Blog

Dave,

I was told about the wine bar over the weekend. No, I will not reveal my source. It's a cool idea, and reminds me of the restaurant I frequented while skiing Cervinia in Italy.

Let's hope these improvements will improve the skiing conditions and bring in more people who like to ski and love to socialize over a nice glass of wine (my mom).

Jean

Dave's reply: Hi Jean. You've got good sources!  :)    Enjoy Alpino Vino!

Hi Dave,

I just wanted to say congratulations on your new position at beautiful Telluride.  It looks like you are already busy...

You will be sorely missed at Meadows.  You have accomplished so much.  Thanks for everything that you have done to make MHM what it has become.  

Sincere best wishes to you and your family.

Dave's reply: Hi Lora. Thank you so much for your kind comments. Have a great season on Mt. Hood - and continue to advocate for slope safety! You've made a positive difference.

dave. Very good work on opening black iron bowl for the season (snow permitting) it is great news for all skiiers/snowboarders who like a hike.

i am just curious about the half pipe.. have you thought much about the possibility of digging the pipe out in the ground before the snow comes..that way there will be no need for excissive snow making to get the pipe ready early in the season.

I think what are you doing for the Ski area of Telluride is great.. this blog is a good way for the general punters/season workers to get their voice heard.

Dave's reply: Good morning Dave. Thanks for your comments and question.

Yes, I have been considering and "in-ground" superpipe for Telluride.

We built one when I was at Mt. Hood Meadows. Matthew Drake, the owner of that resort was kind enough to let me bring a copy of the engineering plans when I moved out to Telluride.

I'd like to have the benefit of a ski season here to get a good feel for the locations, design and flow of all the parks and pipes before we dig a superpipe - it's not something you want to do twice :)

But, it's fair to say that I understand the advanages in terms of timing as well as grooming and snowmaking resource allocation which result from an in-ground superpipe and believe one should be built at Telluride.

Hi Dave,

Your idea for the Trommer Cabin sounds neat.  However, with onslope safety being one of Telski's focuses, might this not be heading down the wrong path.  This cabin is at 11,800 ft.  Just one glass of wine or beer is more than enough to make a skier unsafe, especially if he or she comes from a low elevation.  Although the skier may not be outright intoxicated, he or she has much weaker legs after only one drink.  Add a slight buzz, and you have an out of control skier.  Personally, I would rather be on the same run with an expert sober skier who is going all out (high velocity) than an intermediate "lowlander" who has even a small amount of alcohol in his or system & is trying to go slow and maintain speed.  In reality, alcohol sales should be banned on all ski areas, just as many states have outlawed drive-thru liquor stores!

On a different note, good job opening the new expert terrain in Prospect Basin (it's not a bowl)!  It's about time and I think that the community and all expert skiers will appreciate it!

Dave's reply: Hi Marco. Thanks for reminding everyone to drink responsibly - whether at a restaurant in the village during a lunch break or a restaurant on the mountain. As for high-speed skiing, my belief is that there are places where that is safe (l like to rip a nice turn myself) and places where that is simply not appropriate or allowed (slow zones, intersections, etc.) regardless of how talanted the skier is.

Regarding the new hike-to expert terrain, I really can't take credit for opening the area. It was a plan conceived by our dedicated mountain department team prior to my arrival. I just simply concurred and supported the resource allocation after hiking it this summer. It looks like great terrain!

Thank you for your comments.

Hi Dave-

I am a terrain park builder and noticed your purchase of the new cats would like to comment: Great choice.

I am thinking of relocating so maybe I'll see you this winter.

I was looking at the website and did not see any superpipe marketing. I suspect you have one according to a past post. Does the mountain own a Zaugg?

Good luck this winter...

Dave's reply: Hi Kevin. Yes, we have a Zaugg super pipe cutter too. We need to put that on the website and revamp the freestyle section. Could you contact me at driley@tellurideskiresort.com please? I'd like to discuss this further. Thank you.

Hi Dave,

You are doing a great job with the improvements to the greatest resort.  

My family has swooshed down those slopes for over 2 decades but I haven't been back in quite a while. Reason being although I found everything I needed right off of chair 10, I had to fork out the ticket price for the whole mountain, for the me and the kids.

Just a thought, has there been any consideration to offering a discounted ticket just for Chair 10?  That would bring me there longer and more often (parents currently live in the area, I'm trying)

Thanks!

Joe

Dave's reply: Hi Joe, we won't be creating special prices based on the lift but I would recommend that you look at the 6 or 10 day pass which you can purchase on-line through September 30th as alternatives. Thank you for your questions and comments!

Hi Dave, Can you expand on the "tower" being used for your anchor points. We are just getting into "winching" and are trying to decide on towers, or buried cable anchor points. What can you tell me about the pros and cons?  

Dave's reply: Hi Terry. I like using an old section of a lift tower, set in concrete. About 15 feet tall. Attach a short cable to the top of the tower and let it dangle down when not in use. That way the operator doesn't have to dig in the snow and ice to find it. It also gets the winch cable up off the ground adding life to the cable.

when do you think snowmaking will start

Dave's reply: Hey, which Ryan is this? Our snowmaking manager's name is Ryan :) We are scheduled to start making snow October 26th (tempuratures permitting). The contractor who is installing the new infrastructure seems to be on schedule. His completion date is October 15th. The new pipes, valves, and equipment is going to be sooo nice. I'm very excited about it.

Hello Dave & Welcome to Telluride,

My name is Dru, I am a 14 year local and an architectural lighting designer who works hard during the week (so I can afford to live here) and plays hard on the weekends (which is why I live here).

A) "What are your expectations of me as Telluride's new CEO?" I really like that you are reaching out and giving Telski a voice. Past higher-ups seemed to be locked behind a big, stone, Mountain Village wall. Please keep your door & mind open.

B) "What do you like best about Telluride Ski and Golf Resort?" I like that it is in a constant state of conscious improvement - such as upgrading to more eco-friendly operations. A huge resort needs to exude positive energy to attract visitors.

C) "As a visitor or community member, what is the single most important thing you'd like to see improved by Telluride Ski and Golf Resort?" HERE'S THE BIG ONE: I have asked Telski time and again to offer the hard working, local, professionals a more diverse pass system like the one in Aspen. A 10-day pass is not enough and a full pass is too much on principle. Aspen has a 1-day/wk pass (approx 55% less) and a 2-day/wk pass (approx 40% less) that allows the 9 to 5'ers to feel more like skiers than gamblers. Instead of going up regularly, I end up hoarding my days in case the conditions get even better and then end up scrambling to use them in the end. I know dozens of locals that would upgrade from a 10-day pass if there was something in between too much and too little. And again, for most of us, not purchasing a full pass is a matter of principle so even a 30% price reduction would probably be satisfactory. There are few things I would want to see Telluride copy from Aspen but this just makes sense.

Dave's reply: Hmmm. Let me think about that pricing suggestion for a moment. A 10 day pass is too little and a full pass is too much... We should be able to figure that one out :)

Dave,

I first started coming to telluride in 1974 and have had a second home here since 1986.  I have seen a lot of changes and I think the wine bar will be a great addition.  I will now have the option of either Allred's for lunch or something at the wine bar.  I am sure the food will be better than at Gorrono Ranch.  As far as the drinking of alcohol, I am sure that people will be responsible and, if not, your servers will not serve them.  We are adults and should be responsible for our own actions.

Dave's reply: Hi Kevin, I'm running into some unforeseen delays now regarding Alpino Vino due to permitting :(  We'll keep at it as we've had tremendous positive feedback on the concept.

This is very cool that you are still doing this, asked my brother if you would, might have been the first question that came to mind when you got the job.

The previous blog was well received, valuable to the industry, and even more valuable to the Oregon skier.

Here's to T-ride having a great year----clink.

Dave's reply: Thanks G Skinner. I enjoy the opportunity to dialog with our visitors and locals. It's a great forum and helpful on many levels.

Hi Dave-

Welcome!  My family is so excited - we're actually realizing a dream and spending January in Telluride!  My husband has been going for quite a while, but with two babies... it hasn't seemed worth it for me to tag along... until now... ski school here we come!  I showed Anthony the part of your post about opening up Black Iron Bowl and that made his year.  Although now I think he'll be wanting a new tele setup.  Oh well.

Since we both love Telluride and we'll actually be spending some time this year... please let us know if there are any projects for which you are looking for volunteer help.  I'm a strategy consultant and he's a product manager.  We'd love to help if there is something sitting on the corner of you desk without resources to throw at it or maybe you just want a fresh set of eyes.

Maybe we'll see you around!

Jacqueline

Dave's reply: Hi Jacqueline. I'm excited for you and the family! You've definitely made the right choice to spend a ski month at Telluride - it's going to be fantastic! I think Telluride is the best ski resort and mountain community in North America.

Thanks for the offer to get involved. I always feel that two heads are better than one - a mentor and good friend of mine at Mt. Hood Meadows (Franklin Drake) taught me that lesson in spades. Feel free to send me your email at driley@tellurideskiresort.com

Hi Dave this is Bob.  I am going to assume you really want our input.  My first question is this:  Telski is an endorsing resort to The environmental charter for ski areas which has been developed by the National Ski Areas Association.  One of the key priciples of the Charter is water conservation.  What is Telski doing to conserve water?  In particular is Telski using waste water and if not why not?  I suggest everybody look at www.nsaa.org and look at the environmental section.  If our ski area is going to survive long term this needs to be taken seriously.  Sustainability needs to be taken seriously.

Dave's reply: Hi Bob. Please see the following attachment for more detail regarding our environmental initiatives: http://tellurideskiresort.com/TellSki/info/environmental-initiatives.aspx

We are not using waste water to make snow because the water treatment plant is several miles away down at Society Corner. In order to do that, we'd either have to build a new plant or run a new line for treated grey water from the existing plant and pump it back up hill.

We agree that sustainability and environmental responsible behaviors need to be encouraged on a community wide basis as well as within our organization.

To everybody:  Some of us are old enough to remember the winter of '76 when there was no snow in the West.  Many ski areas didn't even open.  Telluride opened for about one month.  76 changed the ski business for a very long time.  There were many bankruptcies ownership changes etc.  Some resorts responded in very positive ways which have made them more competetive and nearly bullet proof to the vagaries of weather.  The best and earliest example in the West is and was Sun Valley.  They put snow making on 100% of the mountain.  Everybody in the industry thought they were crazy.  As it has turned out crazy like a fox.  Sun Valley now has a more consistant and predictable clientele even if it is not the best snow year.

As for a couple of questions.  First, if we have a bad snow year, worst case, how much of the mountain has snow making and how much would be open?  Is there a contingency plan when this does happen?  It will happen it is just when.  What are the long term plans to increase snow making and increase the water supply for snow making?  I would think impoundments of waste water would make sense.  A committment to snow making on 100% of the mountain would make us nearly bulletproof.  What we are doing now is clearly Russian Roullete.

Dave's reply: Hello again Bob.

We're doing 2 things this fall regarding your points. First, we're replacing failed underground infrastructure and increasing capacity in the Chair 1 and Chair 4 areas. Second, we're adding new underground distribution water lines, power lines and compressed air lines as well as adding 18 new guns in various areas. I'm very excited about the improvements to the system for this coming ski season.

Additionally, we're pulling out our as-built plans and working with the best consultants in the industry to revise our long-term plans and priority list.

Currently, we have enough snowmaking to reasonably provide skiing on at least part of the runs within the following lift pods: Chair 1, Chair 4, Chair 5, See Forever off the top of Lift 6, and one route down the town side from the top of the gondola (Milk Run) to the bottom of Chair 7, Chair 8 and the Gondola. We also have coverage on Look Out from See Forever down to the bottom of Chair 9. This is actually a pretty big system in the aggregate.

Regarding the use of grey water, I replied to that question in the previous post.

At our higher elevations, we have an advantage which the majority of resorts in North America don't have. Mid-winter rain is very rare in Telluride, unlike the east and west coast. There is nothing more damaging to the snowpack than a warm rain. But, I'm a strong believer in continuing to enhance our snowmaking system in a reasonable and responsible way to hedge against the occasional low snow year and to freshen things up during a dry spell. 

Thank you for your points and questions. - Dave

P.S. I don't think Sun Valley has snowmaking on 100% of the mountain.

Hey Dave,

First off I want to say thanks for giving us this forum for a wise investment in the future of such an incredible place.  I can easily appreciate where you’ve been and what you’ve accomplished and look forward to many great things to come.  Keep up the good work!

I too am a recent transplant to the area and a skier to the core, since age 3, thanks to my father who is still a volunteer with the National Ski Patrol.  However, my passion for Architecture, which blossomed while skiing the steeps of Bridger Bowl and attending MSU, took over for a while, with good reason. But until recently while living in Denver and dealing with the masses, I realized I was finally at a point in my career where I could probably have both.  The only place that came to mind when I wondered what mountain town would be the best for me; Telluride… never even having been here before.  So I looked up the best local Architect, and ended up having my first experience of Telluride a successful job interview and even got to take in Bob Dylan in the Park.  Doesn’t get better than that…  I got here for good just in time to feel the change of fall settle into the valley and have been enjoying it greatly since.  Needless to say I can’t wait to ski the steeps, bumps, and sweet corduroy that are all within walking distance.  

I have a brother who competes in the World & US Extreme Skiing Tours and I know that we hosted an event last year, boasted as the First Annual.  I was a little worried that it wasn’t going to happen as I hadn’t yet seen it listed on the US Freeskiing website…  However, I’m very glad to see you now have it scheduled on your calendar!  I think that these events are some of the most important events to promote not only great skiing, but the wonderful spirit and extreme terrain Telluride has to offer. Is there any chance we can host a World Cup event here?

Any plans for us to be able to ski the Gold Hill chutes up to Palmyra Peak as hike to terrain?

It’s great to be back in a ski town!

Thanks for your time,

See you on the slopes!

Nick

Dave's reply: Hi Nick. Welcome to Telluride!

Regarding the question of a World Cup competition or opening up Gold Hill chutes and/or Palmyra, I've been in the process of evaluating those types of changes for the future. We're working on those and other important opportunities to enhance the community of Telluride's position.

Thanks for your support and passion.

10/15

Did we get snow last night?

Is it posted on the site anywhere?

Is there anyway to let the world know that we got snow?

Dave's reply: Yep, got about a foot up high as of 10/17, about half that down below. It's a nice start!

Dave, thanks for your honesty a while back regarding Milk Run and my desire (along with many others) to see it ungroomed & the race course moved to Coonskin.  I see Telski might be attacking Mak'm now with the new Sherpa (its sarcasim, but I wouldn't be surprised).

Anyhow, someone above posted asking about contingencies regarding lack of snow.  Without looking to jinx things, if the current recent trend of early snow continues, do you have contingencies to open up the ENTIRE MOUNTAIN on opening day if there's sufficient snow?  I realize ski area operations can be like starting and stopping a huge freight train - which doesn't turn around on a dime.  However, assuming each day & week which passes has significantly improving conditions, wouldn't it be opportune to start staging a roll out of operations as if you could open everything on day 1?

Is this the ideal mark you're shooting for?  Or, would it simply never happen - even with 20' of snow?

Dave's reply: Hi Eric, I believe strongly in the concept of momentum when it comes to operating ski resorts. The faster you gain it and the more powerful the positive media and word of mouth the better the results and outcome.

Having said that, we have to responsibly prepare the steeper runs by ski packing, rolling, and allowing the layers to build. The time that takes can either be slow or fast, based on the snow cycles.

If that all comes together early, we'll take advantage of it. That's my vote.

Dave, sorry I posted on the "welcome to Dave's blog" section regarding my elation for the wine bar at the old Trommer's cabin - woo hoo!

Dave's reply: That's okay Maureen, I posted a reply on that blog. Stay in touch!

Dave,

Too bad you weren't the top dog when we lived and worked in T-ride. Sounds like things are moving in a very positive direction under your leadership.

We just received our November copy of SKIING and to our shock the front cover states "Telluride Impeaches Bush". What's up with that? Is the Telluride Town Council so stupid as to think that this action would not have a financial impact on the resort? When skiers think of Telluride they think of the entire package, which includes the resort, the town and Mountain Village.

Where does the Town Council think the vast majority of the Town of Telluride's revenue comes from? It will be interesting to learn of the fallout from what I perceive to be a huge blunder.

Perhaps the 33% to 50% of the folks in agreement will replace the revenue of those of us who don't.

Well, we're putting our money where our mouths are and are changing our "unbooked" plans to ski Telluride even though our daughter works, plays and sometimes lives in T-ride. We're not buying her the college season pass. We have been regular visitors since 92. However from now on we will ski a non-political ski resort in Utah.

I look forward to reading your blog reply.    

Dave's reply: Ouch.

Maybe you should consider staying in Mountain Village - that town council did not take such a political action against President Bush. That way you can be true to your principals and still enjoy our wonderful resort!

I don't know what planet you live on but it certainly can't be planet earth-Telluride if you expect gondola operators or anyone to work for $8 per hour here in town.  Maybe you should put some of your expertise into getting some employee housing and some subsidies for the people who commute from outlining communities. Better yet why don't you put yourself in their shoes for a month and see how you manage on $8 an hour.  I will be looking for you at the gondola when you start your month on opening day in November.

Dave's reply: The paper misquoted me and will be running a correction article in the next edition. I specifically said in the TMVOA meeting that I was not recommending a reduction in wages - all I was commenting on was the Town's proposal to increase wages from $12 to $14 when the regional average is mid- $8. I'm quite upset with the paper making the mistake. It would be rediculous to cut wages to $8... If you want to verify the meeting and what was said, you can go to Telluride Web TV and see the TMVOA meeting movie from last Wednesday. Thank you for your blog comment and giving me the opportunity to respond to this error by the paper.

HI Dave, I too just receive my copy of Skiing and wanted to comment on the Impeach Bush/Cheney article, in Skiing magazine, by the town of Telluride.

My next trip to the Rocky's WAS going to be Vail/Breck, but now I will go to Telluride first. It's refreshing to see a town council with enough fortitude and morality to defend their opinions openly.

Enjoy your new stomping grounds!

Dave's reply: Hi Mike. I don't believe powder and politics should mix though :) Enjoy Telluride - if you have not been here yet, it will impress!

Dave -

Welcome to Telluride!  We moved to Phoenix from Portland where we were season pass holders to MHM - you did such a great job up there.  Knowing you're in Telluride gives me tremendous faith in the future of the resort.  We've made the AZ migration the past several years for Christmas and Spring Break to TELL and hope to nail the 3 and 4 day breaks up there this year as well.

Any guided BC or cat skiing in the resorts future off of Gold Hill or other?

Mitch

Dave's reply: Hi Mitch. Thank you for your nice comments - it's always nice to be appreciated. The real truth is that my accomplishments at Mt. Hood Meadows was in large part due to the fact that I was surrounded by great people - I believe that's the key to success.

The Telluride Ski and Golf Company is also blessed with a fantastic team of dedicated and talented folks - my work is easy!

As for BC or cat skiing, we've been working on some interesting projects lately for some additional hike-to terrain. More on that to come!

We are long time second homeowners in Telluride. Our children have learned to ski here and love it. We now have the next generation of future skiiers - our 4 grandchildren. We are hoping that they will love to ski as much as the rest of us do. Unfortunately, the only time they can come is over the busy Christmas holidays.

We are great fans of ski school for the kids (and us). Last holiday season the kids classes were overcrowded making the expensive ski school more of a babysitting option than a real ski school. My 8 year old grandson had 1 child in his class who was left behind. We thought it might be a solution for you to hire local Telluride kids to have a helper in each group. Of course more instructors is what is needed. If you would like to ensue the future of skiing you must do something about this problem! I hope you can figure out a way to make the kids ski school better.

Thanks,

Donna Stone

Dave's reply: Thanks for the heads up Donna. I'll personally look into this. Most ski resorts are a little over-crowded during the Christmas Holiday. I have a few ideas regarding this.

A) Hire more instructors

B) As you recommended, hire some assistants to expedite things

C) Limit sales during peak times

D) Help teach lessons myself :)

Thank you for your comments - I consider your input very valuable!

ThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyou.

Thanks again,

Steve

P.S.   Just gonna throw this out there: Golds 3 and 4 would be another fine piece of the puzzle but of course if you wanted to just go ahead and complete the rest of the puzzle by opening all the Golds straight across, well schucks, that would probably be fantastic feng schwing and good for everyone!

Dave's reply: Hi Steve, You must be happy about our annoucement to open Palmyra Peak.

Thanks for your post.

Hi Dave, I hope you have some insight for me. I would love to invest in Telluride, but I can't afford it. I am however looking into Redlodge Montana to puchase some property there and enjoy their ski mountain. What do you think?

Thank you,

Vito

Dave's reply: Hi Vito. According to recent publications, JMA Ventures, owners of California's Alpine Meadows and Homewood resorts, purchased Red Lodge Resort last week. I would try and find out what the new owners plans are.

Regarding investing in Telluride, have you contacted a local real estate agent? There are some good deals a short distance from mountain village and town if your looking for something like that.

Personally, I don't see the comparison between Red Lodge Resort and Telluride :)

Hi Dave- Palmyra sounds awesome. is this a backcountry gate ski at your-own-risk , or will you be controlling w/ explosives? Like the idea for trommers cabin, I think it's a nice touch for all the visiters that go up to Gold hill for the view and then down Ski Forever. How about re-vamping high camp as a more affordable local hang out . Right now the grab and go menu is on par with airline fare.Maybe something like Cindybread sandwiches and a bar that serves beer (or vin rouge if you prefer) Thanks

Dave's reply: Hi Mark, Palmyra Peak is within our permit area so we will use explosives. We installed a new avalauncher this summer at the top of Gold Hill proper which will help shoot the northeast face of Palmyra Peak. The peak will be opened and closed throughout the season though based on conditions.

We need to go through some permitting on Alpino Vino - but we're still committed and have received lots of favorable comments regarding the idea.

High Camp has some regulatory restrictions so beer / wine is not possible there. We're looking into improving the menu though.

Thanks for your questions and comments!

Hello Dave,

Just wanted to say good luck in Telluride!  I used to read your blog for Meadows a couple of seasons ago when I was homesick for Mt Hood!  Funny thing is I would read it while snowreporting in the wee hours of the morning for Telski!  Hope you love it, say hi to MHK in the marketing department for me!

Dave's reply: Hi Micaela. Thanks for checking in. Hope you have a great ski season!

Dave,

Great info on the blog.  My family and I have been skiing there since 2001 and decided this year to start doing our summer vacations there too.  It is wonderful year-round.  I did not see a post regarding the wine bar since early October.  Any luck with bringing that along for this ski season?  We have stopped at every spot on the mountain and are always up for something new.

Thanks.

Dave's reply: Hi Boas. No real update on Alpino Vino right now - still working on it. I'll update as soon as we get a better feel. Thank you for your interest - we've had lots of favorable comments on the concept.

No notes at all on the web site concerning lift ticket pricing...what is it you are hiding.....

unbelievable.

Dave's reply: Hi Red, Lift ticket prices are on the website. Go to http://tellurideskiresort.com/Tellski/info/lift-tickets-early.aspx Thank you for your question.

Hi Dave,

Did I misread the note about Alpino Vino?  I had it as a lunch stop on our club's agenda the week we were there, Jan 12-19.  I was surprised to see it closed.

BTW....all 48 of us had a great time @ Telluride and can't wait to come back!

Jim Michon

Thunderbird Ski Club

Dearborn, MI

Dave's reply: Hi Jim, thanks for visiting Telluride! I ran into problems with permitting for Alpino Vino. We're still working on it though and want to follow through with the vision.