Beautiful Winter

Alyeska Resort is arguably one of the most scenic ski resorts in the world.  Here is just a sample of the beauty on display in the past few months.

Looking down on a sea of clouds.

Fresh tracks

Fun in the sun, even in the depths of winter

A fantastic sunset down by the Seward highway

Moon and mountain lights

Riding up Ted's Express in the half light

More fresh tracks

High silver special opening

North face steepness

Winter is here, and this year's Lift Crew is top notch!

Rope evacuation training with Patrol.

The tram on a clear day.

Top of 2, the ski patrol shack at the top of the mountain, with a sea of clouds in the background.

The tram from Mighty Mite

Taylor was stoked for his first ride up the new lift, Glacier Bowl Express.

Up and Running

Kris and Mandy are solid at the base of Ted's Express.

Good times at the Bear Cub Quad.

Morning group photo at the base of lift 1.

I got the chance to ride the lift with Mark and Aaron when I was freeskiing on Tuesday.

Looking at Ted's Express from lift 6.

Post upper mountain sweeps reload to the deck up lift 1.

Summer Lift Rope Evac Training

Ben (5th from left), from Patrol, ran the lift ops through some rope evac training last week.

They've got a pretty cool "gun" they use to get the initial rope up and over the haul rope.

The weather could not have been any better.

Here is the team getting the rope in place.

Getting the rope flipped over the grip requires some finesse.

We then ran through the procedure with the lift ops on line.

Down he goes on the evac seat.



Kris gave the training a thumbs up!



TedX Install Update

Here are a couple of pics of the TedX installation (to replace lift 4).

Lift Operations and Maintenance Workshop at Alyeska Resort

Jimmy Lawerence (MountainGuard Insurance Programs) and Sid Roslund (National Ski Area Assoc, Committee Administrator) were the presenters for the 2 day program.

An interesting graphic regarding the safety of ropeway travel.

Folks from ski areas all over Alaska were in attendance.

Hilltop represents during the Tram motor room tour.

The Kahiltna Court was a really nice venue for the event.

Topics included were: History of the ANSI B77 Standard, What's new in the 2011 Standard, Record keeping, OSHA, Disaster at the Lift, What's Hot and What's Not in Lift Operations and Lift Maintenance, and Little Shop of Horrors.

Jimmy, Michelle and Sid

Jimmy and Sid at the top of the tram.

End of Night Mountain Ops

The last shift of night ops was awesome, as usual.  The crowds were out and happy!

The snow is so deep this winter, we have to maintain the areas under the lifts so peoples' gear doesn't drag.

Sharp, spring shadow.

Riding through midway with Danny and Ashley as the attendants.

Looking back on midway.

The weather was just perfect.

Unloading at the top.

The employees before the end of night ops torchlight

Stoked torchlighters

Group photo and out!