Opening - December 8th

First - Yes, I am still here as the COO and General Manager of the Mountain and I now report directly to Martin the CEO, (no longer to someone in Colorado) of the Bear Valley Resort Group. As Martin builds our company for 2010, he will keep me on the straight and narrow - focused on continuing to improve your service experience and the nuts and bolts of the operations. Now that we have cleared that up!

It's finally happening - the snowmaking crew has made a mountain of snow - (litterly). They have created enough snow to open a couple of trails thanks to a cold Thanksgiving Holiday and now our OPENING DAY is upon us. As we approach Saturday the 8^th, it's only getting better - because it's currently snowing as well. While we all have high hopes for this storm being the "big one," the kind of dump that the Sierra's are famous for, the reality is that it is the FIRST storm of the season.

Now the big question is "how much do you need to open Grizzly"? Well let's table that discussion until we have a settled 70" base and get back down to opening day.

Opening day will have at least Moke West and Lodge Run on Saturday, with a couple of terrain features scattered about, but, we are also poised to expand terrain and lifts as the snow accumulates.

Again, the reality of the situation is that this pending storm will be the first appreciable precipitation that we have had since October. If this is the "the big one" we have a plan to open as much new and additional terrain as possible as soon as possible. BUT - we will march forward in a methodical and prudent manor to manage a sustainable opening and not be just a flash in the pan.

So what the H--does that mean? Well you can look forward to us - effectively & efficiently managing the snow. The first 12" to 15" will need to be track packed where ever the snowcats can go, this is to establish that initial base. Track packing is the compressing the snow as close to the ground as possible by using just the tracks of the snowcats no tillers, compactor bars or rollers. The next snows can then be groomed with the implements mentioned above.

Priority wise we intend to work the Cub and Super Cub areas first as they take the least amount of snow and are integral to the beginner portion of our business. Next we want the Back Side - at least to POOH chair (yep, I know, I know we should run Pooh all the time - another blog). Well, what about Koala? Not to worry it's in the mix also.

Our goal is to open as much terrain as possible, as soon as possible in a reasonable and prudent manner. We want to be open as much if not more than you want us open. One significant storm may set us for our next big push to open Cub/Super Cub. Next substantial storm after that - the Backside & Koala lifts would be a strong possibility.

May Ullr reward us all with a great winter & let the games begin!!! - gentling