Dave's Blog

alright! way to go guys!

Dave's reply: Kudos to the mountain department, they've done a great job!

Let the ski season begin! Here's to a great season! We miss you at Meadows - tell your family hello!

Dave's reply: Hi Karen, Great to hear from you! Hope all is well. Have a great ski season!

Well done those guys !!! We have visitors here from England staying in Mtn Village right now...and they'll be delighted they're going to get some skiing in before they leave. They'd heard so much about the  great place it is...and this confirms it. Thanks.

Dave's reply: It's our pleasure Rhona - enjoy!

i think we shall hold up for another big snowfall. so that all of the lifts will be open on opening day.

Dave's reply: Hi Joe, Some will wait, some are pleased to slide. What we do have open has very good coverage.

more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics more pics if you have time thanks a bundle

Dave's reply: 10-4. Didn't have time today :)

how is the weather looking at any snow in YOUR forecast

Dave's reply: Hopefully over the weekend!

Ok...now, I just want to say that this has been a labor of love.....snow making is something that you really have to want to make happen.  So much so that the temps three weeks into our shift were affecting all of us.  To actually be able to do our jobs was such a great feeling.  We were truly pleased to have 2 and 3 degree nights because it was so critical to our cause.  What we were able to accomplish was so rewarding.  In a three day period we went from driving around in trucks to snowmobiles.  That lifted our our hearts and minds.  It was a great feeling.  We want you all to enjoy our hard work.  That is the biggest reward.

Praise Ullr

Dave's reply: Thanks so much Bro! It must have been a bit frustrating earlier but we're in the zone now. Good work!

Dave I say open it up more snow will come. MT Op's Rocks!

Dave's reply: I can't agree more! Thanks for everything Rich, you and the Vehicle Maintenance team keep us all rolling! (his daughter who is standing here reading this totally agrees!)  ;)

Oh Yeah!!  Whooop! Whooop!  Happy kids tomorrow!  And big kids, too!  So stoked to shred!  Opening day is always limited, but ever so awesome to be on the mountain again!

Dave's reply: A friend who had traveled through "other resorts" over the past few days told us our base coverage on what we are opening was the best he had seen this week... Whooop Whooop! (ohhh ya! Happy kids! once again his daughter blogs :D )

Good Luck for your Opening Day Dave!

You know we're counting on your fine leadership abilities to make sure there's a good five feet of white stuff by New Years.........you can do it Dave!!!!

Dave's reply: Hi Paul, That sounds reasonable.. we'll get right on it!

Cheers from the Creekers

You are on CNN!  Well, kind of.  Unfortunately not for the best reason...

www.cnn.com/.../index.html

Dave's reply: Hi Peter, That story will change soon..

Think Snow!

Arriving early January from Australia, what snow cover is typical at this time of year? Fingers crossed for this weekend!

Dave's reply: Hi Jackson, All lifts are usually running by then or earlier. Thank you for choosing Telluride for your vacation!

Hip-hip-hooray! Mountain's open! Yippeeee!

That's great news, indeed.

But enough of the cheerleading.

Can you clear up rumors about your management style: staff cuts, demotions, lay-offs, no pay raises for returning employees, firings, budget cuts, program cuts, etc.? That's what we hear on the streets of Telluride.

Anyway, thanks for the blog.

Dave's reply: Hi Richard, I wouldn't believe everything you hear on the street. Certainly, as a new CEO comes to the company, there will be changes. That should be expected. I have quite a bit of experience operating ski resorts and have been successful over the years by not being afraid to challenge the status quo in an effort to improve the resort for our guests and well as our employees.

Some people may agree with change, some may disagree - but I guarantee that I'm putting my all into making Telluride Ski and Golf the best that it can be, and I have surrounded myself with great leaders who have alignment and are motivated to move forward in a progressive and responsible way - not only for the company but for the community - and on a long term basis.

Heading to the mountain in a little over a week and I was wondering if you have any speculation as to what lifts and runs will be open by then?

Thanks for the updates and we'll keep prayin for the good white stuff in the near future.

Dave's reply: Hi AJ, I don't want to jinx it but there looks to be a pretty nice snow storm potentially heading this way for the weekend. That could open up opportunity. We're prepared to open more lifts and terrain quickly if we're lucky. Also, the temps are forecast to stay cold for then next several days. Stay tuned to the blog.

Dave...I saw a comment about pictures.  I just thought I might let you know.  I take pictures every morning.  If you are short on time.  I would be more than happy to forward my shots to you.  I got some really great ones of a full moon at sunrise.  Also I never fail to get our snow making in full effect.  Kick it around.  Let me know what you think.  Just one of the perks of having access to a snowmobile at sunrise.  

Dave's reply: Sure Bro, feel free to email the best ones to me. Thank you!

forty bucks for that... pathetic.

Dave's reply: Hi Robert, If you do some comparison shopping it might not seem so.. Thank you.

Hi Dave

Excellent news! Looking forward to getting on the slopes.

I think it's great that you are doing this blog although I do wonder how you fit it in!

Before I make some positive and negative comments about Telluride and our experiences I thought I would start with what my experiences are based on and our ski experience. This should help to understand my comments. We are from the UK and every year we come out to Telluride at Xmas and Easter and try to be in Telluride for at least a month each year. We have been coming for over 10 years. My brother and I are both technically good skiers having previously raced for Britain. We are equally likely to be found on piste working on our technique as in the trees searching out virgin powder. We think Telluride is great because of the wide range of skiing available and normally small lift queues!

First the positives

Its great to see Telluride develop, be it faster lifts, snow making or adding more terrain (can't wait to try the new hike-to on Prospect). But there are a few things that could be improved at least from our point of view.

Speed restrictions

Of course safety is important for everyone, but like the UK Government, Telluride seemed to gone speed crazy - and not in a good way! Over last season the number of men in yellow coats seems to have multiplied and their hand gesturing become more frantic! Yes you have those who ski out of their ability who are a danger to others. There are also those like myself who practice safe fast skiing. I guarantee I would be able to stop or make evasive action if there was a risk of a crash at any given moment. I also wait for gaps to ski in. This is why I have NEVER hit anyone or had even a near miss. So I was quite bemused to be pulled up by a man in yellow and threatened. All I ask is that some common sense be applied to your policing. I have seen more injuries due to learners loosing control and low speeds impacts than any high-speed impacts. My suggestions would be focus on education of the ski way code, encouragement for people when learning to understand spatial awareness or if you do actually want to reduce danger levels how about a ban on in ear music when skiing/boarding. I would not consider cycling to work with headphones in ear - how would I hear the bus or in this case snowmobile coming?

Ski School

When we first came to Telluride there were some excellent early morning clinics for all ski levels - reasonably priced too. We were able to look at specific techniques and even set up a short slalom course on Peek-a-boo. It would be great to see this back again. Also running gates seems to be very much out of favor in the ski school currently, this seems a shame just because the current head of ski school cant hates them. It is an excellent training tool for any level of skier which NASTAR's bizarrely set courses cant always for fill. It would not cost the ski school much to invest in a set of gates or why not come to an arrangement with the local team. I also think Comp hill was a big loss.

The fact that above is all we can find that taints the Telluride experience is a great for everyone and confirms what a great place Telluride is and if something could be done about the above that would be fantastic.

Keep up the good work

Jamie & Ben

Dave's reply: Hi Jamie & Ben, Thanks for your input. I'll look into your suggestions with the ski school. I think it's incorrect to say that our ski school leaders hate gates. We are fortunate that the two top leaders in the ski school are also members of the PSIA National Alpine Team. I'd encourage you to talk to Bobby Murphy our VP of Resort Services when you arrive. He can work with you to customize a private race experience if you like.

Regarding fast skiing, I'm an advocate of having policies and procedures which monitor and provide for consequences for fast skiing in areas which have been marked for slow skiing on the trail map and/or with banners on the hill. "Space not Speed" is an essential behavior in these locations. It's a big mountain and there are other areas which do not have a slow skiing designation which allow for someone to enjoy wind in the face (as long as everyone is following the skier responsbility code). I realize some people think they are good skiers and should be allowed to ski fast anywhere - but that's just not responsible. I've seen some serious accidents in designated slow zones which is not acceptable.

Hey Dave! I'm already back in Chicago and about to start packing for my T-ride trip tomorrow... It's great you guys will be open but if you're opening just lift 4 does it mean there only will be 1 maybe 2 runs available? Isn't that very limited? Also since it will be my first trip to Telluride.... is that run going to Mt. Village or the town? From the resort map it looks like it only goes to mt village if that's the case does it mean people staying at the town would need to take the gondola to mt. village first? Hmmm once again thanks a lot and see you all on the slopes over weekend... Also any good bar/clubs suggestions or nightlife in general for bunch for 24 year olds? Thanks!!!

Dave's reply: Hi Bart from chi Town! See my new blog regarding the potential snow storm this weekend. I'm hoping / thinking it will allow us to open some additional terrain. We're still making a great deal of snow also as the temps have been favorable. At this point, you are correct, all the skiing is on the Mountain Village side and you ride the gondola over to access it. It's very fast and simple. As far as bars, oh man, that is not something we have a limit on. Just walk the main drag of Telluride to get started - you'll find them! Let me know if you have any other questions - enjoy Telluride!

Hi Dave

Fantastic to know you are opening. We have 10 (2 families) coming from Perth Australia Christmas Eve for 3 weeks and 4 (1 family) from Oakville Canada New Years Eve for a week.

We can't wait. May the good Lord Bless us with great snow and the whole mountain open!!!

Keep up the great work and the pics coming.

Dave's reply: Wow, that's quite a group - it sounds like a GREAT time! Let us know if you have any questions, we want to make sure your vacation is perfect. Thanks for choosing Telluride - my guess is that you'll be back again - Telluride is a very special place. Travel safe.

What happened to $25 Donation Day? I live in Ridgway, was planning on it being Nov 30, and then learned after the fact that you opened today. I think you should honor the Nov 30th date as Donation Day for all those that have been watching and waiting, and finally planned on it based on your announcement last weekend. Thanks.

Dave's reply: Hi John, Our agreement with TSSC was that if we were not able to hold donation day on November 21st when we originally scheduled it we would not reschedule it this season. Thank you.