Half Moon Bay Bike Host Guidelines

Last Revised: September 2019

Bike Host Guidelines 10/19/2018

BikeHostGuidelines

What it means to be a Mountain Host

First of all, you are the face of Sierra at Tahoe. You are one of the first people that guests encounter when they show up and one of the last they see when they go home. The job of a Mountain Host is to make the guests feel like they are at Their Resort. Make them feel special and provide world class customer service!

Fulfill your duty as a Host. Step up and take care of guests, Sierra at Tahoe employees, and your fellow hosts. Make sure you are there when they need you. If you are assigned to a duty station, be there or call on the radio and let people know you're going to be late! We are here to make a difference for the mountain and to have fun as a team. In being a team we need to work together. Team mates don't let each other down or leave team members out to suffer neglected in the cold snowy abyss.

Many hands makes for an easier job for everyone. Pitch in and be the first to volunteer to help a team mate out! Remember you're carrying a radio and with it you have access to information about what's happening on the mountain. On storm days you're going to hear when runs are opened and first tracks are available! Make sure you share this information with guests around you and let them know they can access more terrain as it opens!

Provide the best service possible and guests will always want to return to our resort!

1. Mountain Host Resources

Being a Mountain Host routinely requires you to be able to interact frequently with Email and several websites. It is therefore necessary for you to have an email account, check it regularly as well as access to a computer. With 80 members, we do not have the luxury of being able to respond to everyone on an individual basis. It is expected that you will use the Guidelines and ask questions at the annual Refresher where everyone can benefit from the answers.

1.1 Mailing Lists

We have a number of mailing lists for different activities in the Bike Host Program. Here are a few which may come in handy:

1.1.1 General Membership: coastal-hosts@googlegroups.com ----- List Archive at https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/coastal-hosts

Use this mailing list to communicate with other hosts. You can arrange carpooling, ask questions about hosting or give people updates on things that you've learned or done as part of your hosting day at Sierra! Please refrain from using this mailing list for solicitation. If you have something for sale which people may be interested in such as ski related equipment feel free to let people know. However if you're selling something else for personal gain, this isn't the place to send it.

1.1.2 Administration Requests: coastal-admin@googlegroups.com ----- List Archive at https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/coastal-admin

This is the administration mailing list which currently is where responses from weekly automated email messages go. You should make requests directly to this mailing list instead of contacting people individually. If you don't get a resolution in a couple days, shoot a reminder message off, but keep in mind we're all volunteers and it may take a few days for us to get to what it is you're asking for. Hence it's best not to wait to the last minute for anything as we probably won't be able to accommodate needs on the spur of the moment!

1.2 Websites

1.2.1 National Ski Patrol Main Website - www.nsp.org

This is the National Ski Patrol main website. You will need to go here in order to pay your national dues each year. You can also go here to get some great Pro-Deals on equipment and gear!

NSP Pro Deal vendors

1.2.2 Main Mountain Host Program Website - www.sierra-nsp.org

This is the main landing site for the Sierra NSP Host and Patrol program at Sierra. It contains useful links to how to join our programs and public information as well as links to the members only area.

1.2.3 Sierra NSP Host Ticketing Website - www.sierra-nsp.org/tix

This website is responsible for running the entire Sierra Mountain Host Program! It has two functions. When you access it from home, it allows you to update your personal profile, schedule days, request tickets and look at a number of other statistics. When you access it from the computer in the Host Trailer, it provides an additional feature which is the ability to Sign In for the day and sign up for duty stations such as Base Area, Plaza and Corkscrew speed control. This is also how you get credit for Hosting!

1.3 Annual Refresher, Dues, Certifications & Proof of Health Insurance

To participate in the Host program you are required to pay Local and National dues as well as certify that you have your own personal Health Insurance and that you understand as a volunteer there is no workers compensation coverage for you. You are also required to obtain certifications each year as outlined below.

Annual Host Refresher

The annual refresher is conducted in the fall at Sierra @ Tahoe. This is a full day event where all hosts get together and we review policies, procedures and conduct the hands-on part of the OFC (Outdoor First Care) re-certification for the upcoming year. Resort management is always on hand in order to provide us with the latest guest improvements and goals for the upcoming year.

Attendance at the annual host refresher is MANDATORY -- if you miss the refresher, you may not be able to host on the mountain this season. For returning Hosts there sometimes is a makeup provided in December, but this is not applicable for new Hosts and is not guaranteed to occur due to it being subject to available resources.

Local Dues: $30

Hosts must pay local dues to: "SATMHPU - Sierra at Tahoe Mountain Host Patrol Unit". These fees cover the operating needs of the Host program at Sierra. For example we need to pay for and maintain an operating computer, printer, vests, radios and various consumable resources throughout the year.

We also contribute to the Host trailer rental. This is done by Sierra, $30/host for the year.

You must pay dues and the trailer fee in person via two separate personal checks at the annual refresher. Both amounts must be paid prior to your being able to host on the mountain.

National Fees $55

The Mountain Host program at Sierra operates under the umbrella of the National Ski Patrol as a non-profit organization. As such, you will need to pay annual dues directly to the National Ski Patrol in order to be an active member of the Host Program. You must pay these dues online at www.nsp.org prior to being allowed to host on the mountain.

Step-by-step instructions for paying National Dues are available here: NSPHostNationalDues.pdf

OFC (Outdoor First Care) Certification

You are required to maintain a current OFC (Outdoor First Care) or OEC (Outdoor Emergency Care) certification with the National Ski Patrol. The OFC certification is good for two years and consists of two separate parts, an online course at the NSP website ($25) and a hands-on part that we will provide at the refresher in October. The OEC certification is good for three years and requires annual refresh by attending a patrol refresher in the fall. If you do not have a current OFC/OEC certification you will not be allowed to Host.

CPR/FPR+AED Recertification

  1. All Mountain Hosts are required to hold a current "Professional-rescuer CPR certification" from an NSP-approved agency.
    • This certification includes Adult, Child, Infant and AED operation as well.
  2. Currently approved CPR providers are:
    • The American Heart Association
    • American Red Cross
    • American Safety and Health Institute
    • Emergency Care and Safety Institute
    • National Safety Council
    • Medic First Aid
  3. The Mountain Host Patrol Unit Board of directors shall, acting as the ski area's agent, certify that all Mountain Hosts at the resort have completed their NSP CPR training requirements.

Runs & Locations Signoff

Each year you must demonstrate proficiency in Mountain runs and locations knowledge prior to being able to host on the mountain.

Radio Use Signoff

You must demonstrate your proficiency in radio protocol prior to being able to host on the mountain.

1.4 Website Logins

Your user id to login on the three websites mentioned is the same! It's your NSP ID. This is a 6 digit ID which is assigned to you when you join the National Ski Patrol as a Host. Your password should be different for security purposes.

Login to the Members area of the website www.sierra-nsp.org/tix using your NSP ID. This is a 6 digit ID which is issued to you when you join the National Ski Patrol as a Host. You get to specify the password to use. This is important for you to remember, you will need this to access your Host information as well as to become Hill Captain on days that you Host on the mountain. If you forget your password, don't worry, just click on the link and it will be emailed to you! Provided of course you are registered in the system and you have supplied a valid email address.

Your Profile/Stats

You are required to login and keep your personal information up to date and current! It is what we use in order to communicate with you vital program updates!

Personal Information:

Please make sure this information is accurate and up to date. It is crucial that your email is correct! In the event that you are injured on the hill and cannot respond this information will be looked up by the Hill Captain to contact people for you.

  • First Name, Last Name
  • Email
  • Home Address, City, Zipcode, Phone
  • Work Phone
  • Mobile Phone
  • Dependents
  • Emergency Contact, Phone, Doctor, Doctor Phone
  • Medical Insurance: optional -- do not put your medical # in if it contains your SSN!
  • EmailMuteDays - Want less nag email to get your certifications done? Adjust it here!
  • EmailGraphicsLevel - Have a small data plan and want less graphics in the weekly email? Adjust it here!

Profile Information:

  • Mountain Access Type - based upon the selection you have made at the refresher this is either Family Pass or Tickets
  • Mountain Access Status - usually this is Enabled: Good standing. If you are missing a certification, signature or scheduled days it will tell you here!
  • Advance Credit Limit. If you are on Tickets, you will have a credit limit of 7. If you are on Family Pass it is 0.
  • Credits per day: This is 1 for everyone
  • Locker (not applicable for Hosts)
  • Ski/Board Cubie (not applicable for Hosts)
  • Season Adjusted Days worked: Usually this is just the number of days worked, under some circumstances it may be something different!
  • Season Credits Earned
  • Season Credits Redeemed: Credits you have used (either by transferring to someone or by requesting tickets)
  • Season Xfer Credits: Credits which were transferred to you from someone else
  • Season Xfer Credits Used
  • Season Carryover Credits: Credits which carried over from last season
  • Season Carryover Credits Used
  • Season WEH Dates worked (Credits)
  • Season non-WEH Dates worked (Credits)
  • Season Ticket Requests
  • Season Transfer Requests

Change Your Password

  • Change your password

Schedule/Cancel Days

Each host is required to have 12 days worked/scheduled in the system once registration is completed. These can be weekend/holiday (WEH) days or mid-week. We realize that people's schedules change, we're simply asking you to "pencil in" days in advance and keep 12 or more days scheduled/worked in the system at all times. As you host, the number of required days to schedule goes down because with each day you host, you complete one of the 12 required days. So if you've hosted 5 days, you will only need to maintain 7 scheduled days. If however you schedule 12 days, and never actually host, the system will start sending you reminder messages to schedule more days as soon as the first scheduled day goes by where you don't host.

Each Tuesday morning you will get an automated email which will show you what the scheduled days look like for the next 4 weeks. We simply ask that prior to Thursday of each week you make sure that the weekend schedule is as accurate as possible. As you look at the next four weeks, try to schedule days where additional help is needed the most! The email provides a very easy interface for you to schedule or cancel days! Just click on the date and you can toggle it! This allows us to provide the resort with the best view of resources coming for the weekend. Your help in keeping this as accurate as possible is truly appreciated!

The resort is notified automatically on Thursday morning what our resource profile looks like for Friday/Saturday/Sunday/Monday of the upcoming weekend. Our program is judged by what we deliver resource wise. If we under-commit and over-deliver that's better than over-committing and under-delivering, but doing what we say is even more valuable!

Reserve Tickets

Once the resort approves ticket requests at the beginning of the season, you are allowed to make ticket requests. Ticket requests need to be done prior to 7am the day of the request or they are subject to not being available for your guests. Once a ticket request is in the system the day of a request, it it cannot be cancelled for 72 hours. Once 72 hours elapses if the tickets are not claimed, they will be cancelled automatically and returned to you. You will receive email notifications of ticket cancellations automatically. If it is not yet the day of the ticket to be issued, you can cancel any ticket request by going into your Profile settings and simply clicking on "Return Credits". You can decide how many credits to return. So if you make a mistake and schedule a request for April and you meant to do it for February, simply go into your profile and return the credits to yourself! You got this! No worries!

Transfer Credits

The ticketing system allows you to transfer credits to another Host or Patroller. Credits which are transferred to you are not allowed to be carried over to the next year. You are welcome to transfer to and from friends up to the deficit set each year. Typically this is 7 for folks that are on the ticket program. If you are on the family pass program, you will not be able to have a deficit.

A permanent record of credits which you have transferred to people and those which have been transferred to you is available in Your Profile/Stats

Additional Resources

The website also provides a number of additional resources which are available for you:

Host Roster

This is a list of currently active Hosts and their contact information. It is here primarily for you to reach out to them for carpool information as well as general questions and camaraderie. It is not to be used for solicitation. Doing so can jeopardize your status as a Host.

Host Certifications

This provides an easy way to know what hosts have completed what certifications. This gives you confirmation that we know you've paid your dues, are OFC certified, are current in CPR/AED, attended the refresher and have demonstrated proficiency in Radio and resort Location knowledge.

Schedule

Want to know when someone is planning on being up to carpool with them or plan a fun day of hosting with fun people? This is where you can find out when your best buddies will be up!

Attendance

Wondering if we recorded your presence properly? This is where you can see we got it right -- plus you can see who all the awesome people were who worked over the Christmas Holidays and helped the resort out during the busiest time of the year! You can also check your personal attendance on your profile page directly -- it's MUCH quicker than looking at everyone's attendance, especially at the end of the year!

Annualized Attendance

Curious as to if James Tucker always put in the most days as a Host? Well here's where you can look at historical information and see who the big-time contributors are for the program!

List Hosts

Prior to the refresher printing out host information using this list feature can make sign-in sheets a breeze!

Mountain Access Program Details

Want to know what all the special programs are for Hosts at the resort? This is where the annual updates go! Remember whenever dealing with resort employees to be courteous and if a particular program isn't offered to you, do not complain, simply follow up with the lead host representative and let them resolve the issue for you!

Host Guidelines

Can't remember where those pesky Host Guidelines are? Well here's a quick link for you!

Instructions for Paying National Host Dues

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. And in the case of the National Ski Patrol, pictures are priceless! smile

Sierra NSP Upload Directory

Got a big zip file of pictures or something else you want to upload and make available to others? This is one way you can achieve that! Just upload it here and let everyone know about it!

Sierra At Tahoe Mountain Host Patrol Unit Bylaws

You can view the latest version of the Mountain Host Patrol Unit Bylaws online here! These are the documents which govern the operation of the Sierra NSP Mountain Host Program!

Minutes of Sierra At Tahoe Mountain Host Patrol Unit Meetings

When Board meetings of the Mountain Host Patrol Unit occur minutes are kept and then posted here when available for you to see what is going on at the board level!

2. Mountain Host Uniforms

No uniform - no sign on! Mountain Hosts are required to wear the uniform of Sierra Mountain Hosts to volunteer at Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort. The image of the Mountain Host is important in gaining the trust and confidence of the public. Mountain Host clothes must be clean and in an appropriate condition to be worn. Please, no torn and worn-out garments. It will be at the discretion of the Mountain Host Board officers and Sierra-at-Tahoe Management to determine the acceptability of a Mountain Host's uniform. Uniforms should not be worn outside of the scope of the job.

Some things which extremely well-equipped hosts carry in their vest:

  • Their name tag!
  • Lots of extra Trail Maps
  • Lots of extra ticket zip ties!
  • Sharpie pen
  • The Skier's Responsibility Code Cards
  • 10-Code Radio reference cards
  • Sunscreen
  • M&M's + Cliff bars (for those cold Corkscrew duty days..)
  • Eclipse gum (for incredibly fresh breath!)
  • Gloves + 4x4's + CPR mask (optional, but you never know!)

Pants: Black only

Please make sure that you show up wearing black ski/ride pants only!

Jacket: Black only

Please make sure that you show up with a black outer ski jacket only! The yellow host vest will be placed over your jacket.

Shirts: Black preferred

Black Sierra Mountain Host Long Sleeve Shirt is the preferred uniform apparel, but any Sierra logo'd apparel shirt is acceptable under your vest if you're wearing a black jacket. If you are not wearing a black jacket, please wear a black shirt or logo'd Sierra apparel.

Helmets: Black is preferred (REQUIRED FOR ALL ON SNOW ACTIVITIES)

Helmets are required by all Sierra @ Tahoe volunteers and employees when riding/skiing on the mountain. Hosts set a great example for our guests. There is an awesome Pro-Deal offered by the National Ski Patrol on Smith helmets of 50% off!! If you're buying a helmet, please purchase a black one to host in!

3. Mountain Hosts Daily Activities

All Mountain Hosts are individually responsible for understanding and performing their responsibilities outlined in this document. If you do not understand, please ask a Board Member, Hill Captain or fellow Mountain Host for more information. Below are the primary responsibilities for Hosts

  • Login, Checkout Radio, Signup for 3 Duty Stations
  • Attend Morning Briefing
  • Ticket Window Duty
  • Mama's Kitchen Duty Station
  • Plaza Safety Station
  • Corkscrew Skier Safety
  • Ski Run Skier Safety
  • Ski Tours
  • Logout, Return Radio, Log any unrelieved Duty Stations

3.1 Parking

Please park in the Upper Lot A parking lot but make sure you park far enough down the row so that you do not interfere with the bus parking areas. Also, do not wear your host vest from your car if you're parking in the A lot. Feel free to stop by the host trailer in the morning and drop off your gear. Similarly in the evening it's ok to drive up to the host trailer and pickup your gear.

3.2 Trailer Usage

The Host Trailer is for Host member use only. The only equipment allowed to be stored overnight in the Host Trailer is one pair of skis, poles or snowboard per Host. It is not acceptable to leave your boots in the Host Trailer overnight at any point in time. Any boots which are left in the trailer may be relocated outside by the hill captain prior to locking the trailer for the night.

The Mountain Host Trailer is for the use of Sierra at Tahoe Mountain Host members. Be sure the door is locked, lights are out and there are no electrical appliances left on when you leave the room. The Host Trailer shall store Mountain Host equipment only! Absolutely no one else’s equipment shall be stored in the Host Trailer. Each Mountain Host can store TWO pair of skis and poles or two snow boards in the locker room/building. NO BOOTS may be stored in the Trailer!

The radios are also behind lock and key. The combination to the push button lock and the key to the radio cabinet should not be relinquished to any one who is not an active Mountain Host. Do not prop the trailer door open if the trailer is unattended by a Mountain Host. Failure to follow these rules may result in suspension of privileges as determined by the Board.

Family and friends may accompany a Mountain Host into the locker room/building if space permits. This should be minimized especially during the morning briefing.

Trailer Usage on free skii days

If you are not hosting, please recognize that the trailer needs to be used for hosts who are working this day. So avoid being in the trailer during the morning meeting at 8:30 unless you are specifically hosting that day.

No Overnight Storage of Boots

At no time is it acceptable to store your ski or snowboard boots overnight in the Host Trailer.

Gear Storage

Only Host gear is to be stored in the Host Trailer. There is a limit of 2 pairs of skiis or snowboards per Host. Family member equipment and apparel is not to be placed in the Host Trailer at any time.

Trailer Combination

The combination to the Host trailer is not to be shared with any non-members. This includes family members.

3.3 Morning Host Computerized Login

Each morning all hosts need to login to the computer system, checkout a radio and sign up for duty stations. If the computer is operating with web access, this process is GREATLY simplified for you! However if the computer is not operational or the internet is down, we simply do the same activities, but do it the old fashioned way and write the information down in the log book. If the computer is down, the Hill Captain should take a photo of the duty roster page and email it to the admin@sierra-nsp.org distribution list. This ensures everyone's ability to get credit for hosting that day AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. If the hill captain does not do this, credit for the day may be delayed.

In order to get any credit for hosting, someone has to become Hill Captain for the day, otherwise no one gets credit! The Hill Captain is important to have as a point of contact for the Patrol and Guest Services to be able to reach on Channel 1 if necessary. Also the Hill Captain can help with radio calls on channel 6 to Dispatch if needed.

3.4 Attend the Morning Briefing

Each morning the most experienced Host on the hill should become the Hill Captain and run the daily briefing. This meeting starts sharp at 8:30am on weekends/holidays and 9:00am on weekdays. The Hill Captain should make an effort to contact guest services prior to the meeting to see what is going on and if there are any special activities or needs of hosts for the day. Some things to think about are:

  • Delayed opening of lifts
  • Snow conditions on the mountain, trouble spots, places to be careful!
  • Races/Training which is going on which results in run closures
  • Special events
  • Status of Blizzard Mountain, if sledding and tubing services are being offered

Before leaving the trailer, each Host should sign up for at least 2, preferably 3 duty stations in the following priority order:

  1. Plaza Duty Stations are John Rice's top priority EVERY day!
  2. Skier Safety on Corkscrew is our second priority on weekends and holidays
    • Put one host at the top if there is not enough resources for two
    • If two hosts are available, put one at the top and one at the 3rd turn of corkscrew
    • If three hosts are available, put one at the top, one at the 2nd turn and one at the 3rd turn of corkscrew
  3. Make certain someone is headed to Ticket Window Duty every day!

3.5 Ticket Window Duty Station

Each morning after the briefing, at least one host should head over to the ticket windows and aid with crowd control. It's important to remind guests that they do not need to wait in the ticketing line if they are renting equipment, they can get a lift ticket in rentals as well! In fact, you can purchase lift tickets in the Sports shop as well.. Just don't send a hoard of people over there all at once! Also remind people in line that if they have purchased tickets at REI or Costco which have barcodes on them, they can go directly to the lifts -- just give them a ticket wicket and send them on their way!

Guest services expects hosts to help with crowd control on busy days in front of ticketing. Make sure that we address their needs!!

3.6 Plaza Safety Duty Station

John Rice has asked that we prioritize coverage on the Plaza between 10am and 3:00pm. The area of concern is in front of the two stairways which lead to the ski run area. People tend to want to wander out who are not skiers. Track down the signs which say "no foot traffic beyond this point" and courteously remind guests who do not have a lift ticket that they are not allowed beyond this area for their own safety.

If special events on Lower Main or Broadway are in place, hosts may be asked to escort guests across the run to the spectator area. If guests are not going to the spectator area, ask them to stay on the Plaza.

At no time is sledding or snow play allowed in the Plaza area. Courteously ask guests to take their sleds to Blizzard mountain or refer them to Echo Summit where there are numerous Snow-Park sledding areas!

3.7 Corkscrew Skier Safety Duty Station

Corkscrew is notoriously a choke point for beginners and advanced skiers. Our job as hosts is to make sure "that never shall the two collide" smile In order to best accomplish this, standing at the top of the run and talking to people as they are going by works the best. Some phrases which seem to work well are:

  1. It gets busy in the corners, be careful!
  2. Take it slow!
  3. Lots of beginners on the run, take it slow!
  4. Watch yourselves, lots of people on the run!
  5. Stay off of the walls please!

Always make sure we have at least one host at the top of Corkscrew. If we have two hosts available, put one at the top and one at the last turn. If we have three hosts available, put one at the top, one at the 2nd turn and one at the bottom!

3.8 Mama's Kitchen Duty Station

If personnel permits, we have a duty station in Mama's Kitchen just inside the doors where we are optimally positioned to answer questions for quests. If you are at this duty station, do not eat any food while you are there! It simply does not come across well to be answering questions with your mouth full! Eat your lunch or breakfast in the cafeteria and then when you're done sit down and staff the duty station!

3.9 Ski Tours

For guests new to the mountain, we offer daily tours at 10AM. This is a fun way to meet folks and leave a favorable impression of our resort. Be sure to tailor your tour to the abilities of the guests-don't bring them into West Bowl if everybody in the group can't handle a blue run.

3.10 Logout

Sierra Mountain Hosts can volunteer any day of the season. Sign on cut off time is when the hill opens to the public. On weekends that is 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM on weekdays. Be aware that over most holiday periods Sierra opens on weekend times. For example through the Christmas/NY weeks the hill opens at 8:30 AM even during the week! If you ever have a doubt about what time the resort is going to open, just ask any Board member! If you arrive after the morning meeting starts, you may not receive credit for the day.

Signout starts at 3:30 PM. If you can’t make it back to the Host trailer by 3:30PM, call the Hill Captain on channel 5. We need to account for everybody at the end of each day. If you are the Hill Captain and decide to stay on the hill longer, make certain that you let someone know so they can mark you down as "off the clock".

4. Mountain Host Responsibilities and Duties

All Mountain Hosts should understand what is expected during their day at Sierra at Tahoe. This section outlines important duties and responsibilities and outlines how a Mountain Host is expected to deal with these situations.

Know The Code: Skier/Rider Responsibility Code

  1. Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
  2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
  3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
  4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
  5. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
  6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
  7. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
  8. Inverted aerials are not allowed.
  9. Use of alcohol or drugs that impair the safety of yourself or others is not allowed.
  10. Be safety conscious.
Know The Code. It's Your Responsibility

4.1 Radio Use:

4.1.1 Radio Checkout

Each morning you should record the radio you are using in the computer or in the log book if the computer is not operational. You are expected to bring the radio back. If you encounter difficulties with the radio, please let the Hill Captain know so that the radio can be serviced.

  • Securely strap your radio into your host vest. Make certain that you run the retention cord around the antenna and then connect it to the snap on the vest. This will prevent the radio from coming out of your vest pocket if you crash in 24" of fresh powder.
  • Important: Make sure you set your radio into SCAN mode so that it will monitor traffic on Channel 1 and Channel 5 simultaneously!

4.1.2 Channel 1: Monitor Only (Accessed via SCAN mode on radios)

Channel 1 is the main channel on the mountain which is on the repeater. It is monitored by Dispatch and is used for emergency services. Host radios are setup to monitor channel 1, but cannot transmit on channel 1. It is highly recommended that you monitor traffic on Channel 1 so that you know what is happening on the mountain such as what runs are opening on snow days, lift issues as well as accidents which might need some crowd control.

4.1.3 Channel 5: Host Channel (Position #5 and #16 on radios)

Channel 5 is dedicated to Host traffic. It is NOT monitored by Dispatch. The Hill Captain will use channel 5 to reach hosts to co-ordinate duty station needs.

  • You can transmit on Channel 5 by selecting position #5 on the radio OR position #16. Position #16 is obtained by turning the knob TO THE LEFT all the way. It is simply a convenience! There is no channel 16, that position is programmed to the host channel frequency.
  • If you are going to be late to a duty station, call the Hill Captain on Channel 5 and let them know!

4.1.4 Channel 6: Dispatch (Position #6 and #15 on radios)

Channel 6 is for Hosts to contact Dispatch in order to request emergency services. In order to request a patroller or other assistance on the hill, you will need to use Channel 6.

  • You can transmit on Channel 6 by selecting position #6 on the radio OR position #15. Position #15 is obtained by turning the knob TO THE LEFT all the way and then ONE CLICK to the right. There is no channel 15, that position is programmed to the Dispatch channel frequency.

When contacting Dispatch, your radio calls should consist of:
"Dispatch, Host Doug"
(go ahead for Dispatch)
"Dispatch, I need patroller assistance at (LOCATION for a (NEED)"

Examples of LOCATION might be:
First turn of Corkscrew
Skier's right of Lower Main
The Barnyard
Sugar and Spice before upper Hemlock

Examples of NEED might be:
10-W Transport
10-W Transport for a minor
Knee injury
Lower Leg injury
Shoulder injury
Wrist injury

Radios are checked out in the morning, with the radio number recorded in the computer sign in, and returned at the end of the day. Radios are for use of Hosts only.

Radio calls should start with the person or location you are calling, followed by your name (i.e. Grandview, Dave), followed by your request and location. Minimize chatter - be short and concise with your statement. The radio cannot receive and transmit at the same time, so do not talk over someone else, and make sure the channel is clear prior to transmitting a message. Key the mike about two seconds prior to talking. Radios should be set on channel 6 (Dispatch), Everyone who has a radio and everyone around them can hear your transmission; so avoid personal issues and be discreet when what you have to say might alarm or panic the guests.

Every Host must get checked off in the use of a Radio prior to using one. If you are not sure of what to do, see the Hill Captain for training.

4.2 Skiing With Family/Friends:

If you want to ski with others, you must first make certain that your duty stations are covered. Be responsible and remember you're on the mountain to help the guests experience a safe and fun environment. Make sure you make all of your skier safety assignments and Plaza duty station times. Only Hosts can use the cut gate, so try to wait on top of the lift if you wish to ski with others or better yet intermix in the lift line and talk with our guests! On days with 5 or less hosts, please don't ski in groups, as this dilutes our effectiveness on the mountain. Otherwise, groups of two are OK. Hosts should not load any lift prior to that lift opening to the public.

4.3 Priority Lift Line Access

Hosts are encouraged to be out on the mountain and helping guests! To facilitate this Paul Beran, Director of Mountain Operations has specifically stated:

"I want the hosts to load from the gap in the lift maze at Grandview and Westbowl. This is the gap usually by the white board. When crowd control is in progress the hosts need to get the attention of the crowd controller and let them know how many are in their group. I don't feel it's appropriate for more than two hosts to ride on the same chair. If there are any other questions please let me know"

Now, recognize that although this is the policy, ill-informed lift operators may ask hosts to load differently. Simply do as asked and report back to the Hill Captain. It's not our place to correct lift operators on the spot. Instead we should be as accommodating as possible and as friendly as possible.

  1. If ski-school is loading a class with children, please take the initiative and offer to escort them on the lift!
  2. Hosts never load from the FastPass lines on Westbowl/Grandview lifts!

Anytime a Host is riding on a lift which has a safety bar, the Host must put the safety bar down!
Hosts are safety conscious and lead by example!

4.4 Lunch Time - (on Peak Days avoid the Cafeterias Noon-1:30pm)

On Peak days the resort asks that we make as much room available for guests as possible. This means parking in the E Lot and taking the shuttle up to A Lot. It also means that between Noon and 1:30pm we're not to be in the cafeteria areas. Our 50% off discount is not available during this window as well. The suggestion is to either bring your lunch and eat in the Host trailer or plan to do lunch early, perhaps at 11:30am to avoid the cafeterias at Noon. Remember to make certain we have Plaza coverage during the lunch periods, that's when the most people are moving across the stairs and entry and the resort looks to us as Hosts to make certain that no one gets hurt there!

5. All Mountain Access

The access privileges outlined in this section apply to all Sierra Mountain Host's in good standing. If a host experiences difficulty in obtaining these privileges or there is any issue involving them, please do not be confrontational with the employee. Contact the Hill Captain, and the Lead Host Representative and he/she will resolve the issue. The All Mountain Access privileges below are subject to change.

5.1 Hosts in Good Standing:

Mountain Hosts may choose between receiving one ski lift ticket credit for each day they volunteer, or a season pass for each member of their immediate family. This benefit decision is made at the annual host refresher in October and will be in effect throughout the entire ski season. It cannot be changed midway through the ski season.

  • All Hosts receive one ticket credit for attending the annual host refresher in October.
  • Hosts on the Family Pass begin accruing ticket credits after putting in all 12 of their host days.
  • Once a Host puts in their 12 days and they continue to host beyond mid March, these credits up to 5 can be carried over to the next ski season.

5.2 Hosts on Probation:

Same as above for active Hosts, except no ski lift credits are given until after the probationary status has been cleared.

5.3 Inactive Hosts:

A Host may choose to be inactive for a maximum of two years - subject to Mountain Host Patrol Unit Board of Directors approval. NSP and all Local Host dues including trailer usage fees must be paid. Inactive Hosts keep their place on the roster and are guaranteed a spot in the program upon return to active status. No mountain access pass privileges are available while inactive.

5.4 Food, Retail Shop, Rental & Lesson Discounts:

All Mountain Access discounts are for the personal use of the Mountain Host. Mountain Hosts must present their Sierra at Tahoe ID to obtain all discount privileges. Misuse of any privilege may result in dismissal from Sierra at Tahoe's Mountain Host Program. Ski lift vouchers are typically good during all holiday periods (i.e.. Christmas, New Years Days, Martin Luther King, etc.) The use of ski vouchers during holiday periods is decided by the Sierra-at-Tahoe Management and subject to change.

5.5 Failure to Meet Minimum Number of Days:

Mountain Hosts who fail to meet the minimum required days will be automatically placed on probation the next year unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors due to extenuating circumstances. A Mountain Host who makes less than 12 patrol days may be considered for possible dismissal and will be reviewed by the Board of Directors. Two consecutive ski seasons or three out of five seasons on probation is grounds for dismissal from the Mountain Host program unless otherwise determined by the Board. Probationary status will be removed from a Mountain Host once they have made up all missing days from the previous season and upon review by the Board. It will be the responsibility of the Mountain Host to notify the Mountain Host Board in writing that they have made up the missing days and have returned to good standing in order to receive their privileges.

5.6 Mountain Access Pass Impacts:

Mountain Hosts on probation will not receive full Mountain Access Pass (some or all of the capabilities will be suspended at the discretion of the Board) until all missing days from the prior season are made up. You will need to notify the Mountain Host Board in writing after making up days in order to receive privileges.

6. Hill Protocols

There are 3 areas of Hill Protocols that Hosts need to learn:

  • Proper Radio Protocol
  • Run names (public and slang)
  • Locations of equipment and reference points

6.1 Radio Protocol

We use a modified set of 10-codes at Sierra. When placing a radio call, it's important to be as professional as possible. Use channel 6 to call Dispatch.

6.1.1 Radio Protocol Reference Materials


Radio 10-codes Guide describes all 10-codes used at Sierra

6.2 Runs and Locations

In addition to published run names, we have a series of nicknames for popular locations throughout the hill. You'll want to be familiar with both the official run names and the nicknames so that you know where you're going!

Runs and Locations Reference Materials

Trail Map of Huckleberry Canyon
Sierra Trailmap with Equipment & Legend 2013
Sierra Run Quiz (fill in)
Sierra Run Quiz (answers)
Learn The Mountain: Locations around the mountain + Pictures

Knots

Hosts are not required to know any knots, nor to perform rope duties on the resort, however sometimes it's useful to know about how ropes work and what knots actually are in use on the hill. For that reason some additional information and resources are provided here.

Frequently Used Knots

  • Trucker's Hitch
  • Coiling rope for a closure properly
  • Burkhart bow for tower pad straps
  • Double Fisherman's knot (traction/tie two ropes together)
  • Water Knot (webbing knot)
  • Clove hitch (bamboo rope lines)
  • Bowline (Tie a rope around yourself without squeezing..)
  • Double Figure Eight Follow Through (harness knot)
  • Square Knots (cravats)

Animated Knot Examples

Bowline
Clove Hitch Tied with half hitches
Figure 8
Double Fisherman's
Water Knott

Lou Holtz Motivational Thoughts

  1. Can I trust you?
  2. Are you committed to excellence?
  3. Do you care?
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Topic revision: r2 - 2022-04-24 - DougCoatney
 
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