National Ski Areas Association Names Mountain High Best In Class
Mountain High was awarded Best In Class for its Community Outreach Program in the 2005 Heads Up initiative.
Wrightwood, CA (PRWEB) October 20, 2005
Mountain High was awarded Best In Class for its Community Outreach Program in the 2005 Heads Up initiative. This program, produced by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), promotes safety and etiquette at resorts throughout the country. Out of more than 200 areas, Mountain High was recognized as the best for its safety efforts both on and off the hill. Starting early, Mountain High offers many after school ski/snowboard programs that teach kids the proper ways to enjoy winter sports. And, it does it in an entertaining way that creates ownership and loyalty. Resort employees also lead by example with helmets and other protective gear. And Mountain High’s managers cater to the bilingual market by offering safety signage that uses easy-to-recognize symbols instead of words.
Says Rose Reinhardt, Risk Manager, “It’s important to us that all guests have a safe experience, and the best way to do that is by making sure they know how the rules of the mountain.”
Mountain High has one of the most ethnically diverse clienteles in the nation, and getting various groups to understand on-hill safety messages has been a challenge. Last season the area erected huge signs at the base of each resort with Smart Style language and symbols. The visual effect of these 128 square foot billboards was amazing, and the message was clear to both English-speaking patrons and non. Using a combination of language and symbols helped those who can’t, or flatly refuse to, read get at least a hint of safety information. The resort as a whole has seen a reduction in collisions and a more understanding group of riders.
Mountain High’s After School Ski/Snowboard Adventure attracts some 75 schools from throughout Southern California. Rick Strasser, an active firefighter with over 20 years of patrolling experience, and his trusty search dogs, Shasta & Sequoia, travel to each participating school prior to their visit to teach the Heads Up Program, the Responsibility Code, and the Smart Style slogans. On the bus, children participate in Guess the Code & Name a Safety Slogan games, and, when they arrive at the mountain, are greeted by members of Mountain High’s Patrol Staff.
Employees play a key role in supporting Mountain High’s safety campaign. Currently all 210 Instructors, 62 Patrollers, and 28 Terrain Park staff wear helmets. Coincidentally retail sales of helmets jumped 50% last season as more and more guests began to wear them. The resort also places Responsibility Code and Smart Style information on the back of all employee identifications as well as napkins, coffee cups, and bathroom doors. Rose Reinhardt, Mountain High’s Risk Manager, even attends off-hill safety fairs where she speaks with participants about the Heads Up program, Smart Style, and Kids With Lids.
Mountain High is proud of its accomplishments and the friendly environment it has created. Generating life-long participants is not something that is done overnight, but with campaigns that mirror both fun and safety, resorts can increase their chances of guests returning healthy and happy.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please feel free to contact Karl Kapuscinski, President and CEO, at (760) 316-7800 or John McColly, Director of Marketing, at (760) 316-7830.
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