The Mountain Works Conference and Tradeshow brings together ski area staff members from nearly all aspects of the business and offers attendees the opportunity to listen and interact with respected ski industry leaders, conference speakers, confer on work-related issues with peers, participate in hands-on workshops, and learn what is new and innovative from your industry suppliers.    

Schedule of Events:

7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration
Cascade Lobby
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast
Cascade ABJ
Join us for a full breakfast buffet and network with your fellow attendees.

8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Pre-Registration Required - NDT MT I&II - Day 2
Deschutes N
Speaker: Trever Sprouse
This educational training course covers the Level I and II fundamentals of MT theory and practical application necessary for MT inspectors of chairlift parts and components. Each student will receive a textbook and lesson study guide which they will keep. Hands-on training exerc...

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
PEAKS - NSAA Learning Management System
Deschutes S
Speaker: Mike Lane
Discover how PEAKS, NSAA’s innovative learning management system, is transforming education for ski area personnel. This session will introduce you to PEAKS' flexible, on-demand platform, accessible on computers, phones, and tablets, designed to meet the diverse training needs of ski area s...

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
USFS Hot Topics (NEPA, FOIA, MDPs, Explosives)
Cascade F
Speaker: Shawnee Hinmann
A interactive session with Industry/USFS agency staff to discuss common hot topics regarding Ski Area Term Permits on National Forest. Topics include National Environmental Policy Act, Freedom of Information Act, Master Development Plans, Explosives oversite, etc. Feel free to come to the session...

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
DC Motors 101 Theory and Maintenance
Cascade H
Speaker: Jon Schliep
We will start with Basic DC Theory to gain a better understanding of how DC motors work and produce torque.  We will then break down some of the basic components of DC motors and how they work together, spending a majority of the time talking about commutators and brushes.

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Work Carrier Communication & Rescue Plans
Cascade I
Speaker: Tom Scully
Sponsored By:
Doppelmayr USA, Inc.
Work carriers are an important tool for lift maintenance, repairs, inspections and other work however they can be dangerous if used inappropriately. Staff using these tools are often working in very remote areas of the mountain and may be their own rescue team. Since incidents and accidents have ...

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Spills in the Hills
Cascade G
Speakers: Ole Espeland, Megan Everson
Sponsored By:
Doppelmayr USA, Inc.
Join us for the importance of spill response while defining what it is, who might be involved and how it affects us in our locations.  We will briefly touch on the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan and who it may affect.  Then we will dive into some nuts and bol...

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
The Blade Dive: Real talk with Industry professionals about slope maintenance challenges, solutions and the future
Cascade D
Speaker: Parker Bohon
Panelist Speaker: Ben Finn, Jeremy Cooper, Alex Storjohann, Cody Proctor
Join Parker Bohon as he hosts a panel of industry professionals to discuss current trends, best practices and the challenges that slope maintenance teams are facing today. Come prepared with your own questions, there will be time for Q&A.

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Food Trends
Cascade C
Speakers: Chef Cory Schreiber, Julie Kirksey
The culinary session will address how to compress existing food allergens or dietary preferences into single items that can satisfy non gluten, plant based or nondairy without creating more items and be attractive to even non allergen diners.
Chef Cory will also introduce ways re-thinking food...

8:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Sheave Assembly Loads for Tower Rigging
Cascade E
Speaker: Mike Stephenson
Sponsored By:
Doppelmayr USA, Inc.
Any mechanic who has experienced a near miss while rigging a tower to service the sheaves appreciates the im...

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Vehicle Maintenance Best Practices
Cascade D
Speakers: Bryan Force, Matt Means
Brian and Matt will be sharing best practice guidelines for operations and maintenance while hosting an open discussion and Q&A. We will also take a dive into DEF for fleet vehicles and how to prepare sy...

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Ski Industry Employment Law Updates—Evolving Policies and Industry Challenges
Cascade E
Speakers: Brian Augenthaler, Jason Kartchner, David Byrd
Sponsored By:
MountainGuard
The pace of change in employment law and compliance is rapidly evolving with the change of presidential administrations.  In this session, our two attorneys will discuss some of the key changes impacting ski areas, as well as some industry-specific employment law challenges...

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Multimeter Use
Cascade H
Speaker: Jim Stevenson
Proper use of MultiMeters, Covering do's and don'ts, w/ clasifications of meter types

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM
The Art of Chairlift Loading and Ramp Maintenance
Cascade I
Speaker: Tom Scully
Our lift attendants have one of the most important jobs on the mountain yet we spend so little time recognizing how difficult it can be to successfully load passengers on our lifts every 6 seconds. This session will review and teach proper  loading procedures and proper ramp set up and maint...

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM
The State of Ski Resort Childcare: Trends, Challenges & Solutions
Deschutes S
Speaker: Annie Fast
Panelist Speaker: Lauren Yaeger, Josh Spoelstra
Resort childcare is not talked about enough. This panel will bring the service to the forefront. Join leaders in Resort childcare as we discuss challenges and solutions for both employee and guest childcare.

Mt. Hood Meadows and Mt. Bachelor are at the forefront of reort childcare; i...

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM
De-icing 101
Cascade F
Speaker: Julie Zaremskiy
Sponsored By:
Doppelmayr USA, Inc.
De-icing 101: introduction to ice and de-icing safety.

About the panel:

Introduction to 3 primary types of icing and required conditions for formation
Rime
Mixed
Glaze
Introduction to de-icing line equipment

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Mental Health at Altitude
Cascade C
Speaker: LaNae Hendrickson
 
Mental Health at Altitude is presented to highlight struggles that mountain towns and ski communities face. This will including addressing depression, suicide, and how different factors including social isolation and altitude can contribute. It’s about br...

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Couplings & Driveshafts: Maintenance, Inspection and Alignment
Cascade G
Speaker: C.W. Craven
Sponsored By:
Doppelmayr USA, Inc.
We will discuss the different types of couplings used in Ski Lift drives, their maintenance and inspection requirements. In addition we will discuss Drive shaft maintenance and inspection. Finally we will have a short discussion on alignment of couplings and driveshafts.

11:45 AM – 1:15 PM
Lunch & Tradeshow
Exhibit Hall
Join us once again in the tradeshow hall and mingle with your fellow attendees. Chat with the suppliers about their products all while munching on some lunch.

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Root Cause Analysis: Uncovering the "Why" Behind Incidents
Cascade E
Speakers: Jason Kartchner, Mike Lane
This session will review the basics of lift related incident investigations and provide an introduction into root cause analysis (RCA) as it applies to ski lift incidents. Using real-world ski lift accident scenarios, we will discus...

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
USFS / PNSAA Public Lands Roundtable
Cascade F
Speaker: Shawnee Hinmann
A chance for Industry and Agency leadership to interface. The intent is to have open and interactive dialogue regarding the state of the industry and the USFS in the Pacific Northwest.  Bring your tough questions, success stories, cur...

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
To Groom, To Not to Groom?
Cascade D
Speaker: Alec Feraro
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Cool Burnout, Stop “The Tough Guy Show” and Build a Healthier Workplace Culture
Cascade G
Speaker: Ed Frauenheim
Sponsored By:
MountainGuard
Burnout and stress are high in the ski Industry. Mountain resort employees often feel overwhelmed, depleted and isolated. Burnout takes a toll on people’s mental and physical health, and undermines team performance. Making matters worse in the industry is a culture that can be called &ldquo...

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Lockout Tagout: What it is, and Why it's Important
Cascade H
Speaker: Jim Stevenson
What is Lockout and Tagout, When is it used, What are the requirements.

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Supporting Old Equipment and Thinking about Upgrades
Cascade I
Speaker: Bobby Langlands
Sponsored By:
Doppelmayr USA, Inc.
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Marketing in the Digital Age for Ski Resorts
Deschutes S
Speaker: Lindsey Bangsberg
In today’s digital-first landscape, ski resorts face new challenges and opportunities in reaching their target audience. Social media has become an essential tool, not just for marketing but for building a loyal community and driving sales. This sess...

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Employee Engagement & Incentive Programs
Cascade C
Speaker: Barbara Gerhardt
In this session, we will discuss the strategies employed by Mt. Hood Meadows and Cooper Spur Mountain Resort to foster employee engagement within the workplace, as well as the incentives we prioritize for our team members.  

Maintaining team enthusiasm and engagement throughout t...

3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Becoming a Risk Manager in Your Department: Insights from Ski Area Risk Managers
Cascade E
Speaker: Jason Kartchner
Panelist Speaker: Alec Feraro, Lucas Hengel, Parker Bohon

3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
USFS Accessibility 201: Making a Plan
Cascade F
Speakers: Michelle Ahearn, Shawnee Hinmann
Building on last year's presentation on the overview for why accesibility considerations are required, and how to engage with technical specialist, we will spend time discussing the next step: Making a plan!  This session will look to the future, and how to make a plan for future improvement...

3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Create Psychological Safety for Physical Safety and Mental Health
Cascade G
Speaker: Ed Frauenheim
Sponsored By:
MountainGuard
Psychological safety refers to a work climate where people feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work, sharing how they’re really doing, and speaking up with ideas and concerns. Studies show these cultures are critical to team performance, because employees are more engaged and in...

3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Building a Cohesive and Functional Team
Cascade H
Speaker: Jim Stevenson
Encouraging communication
Practicing team-building activities
Structuring goals
Providing training and development

3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Lift Maintenance Roundtable
Cascade I
Speaker: Ethan Howell
Sponsored By:
Doppelmayr USA, Inc.
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Prinoth Update
Cascade D
Speaker: Alex Wood
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Creating the Greatest Value for your Customer
Cascade C
Speaker: John Leinweber
Come join us for early happy hour while we discuss ways to get the most out of your bar program while maintaining your margins.

3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Tensioning Systems for Ropeways
Deschutes S
Speaker: Mike Stephenson
Sponsored By:
Doppelmayr USA, Inc.
Tensioning systems are an important and integral element of all ropeways, but have you ever considered their purpose or the cons...

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Mountain Works Assembly
Cascade ABJ

Click here to Register