Preserving the history of the ski industry is important. We have learned a tremendous amount in the last 40 years of how to prepare the slopes and snow grooming is key to a great customer experience.  This 1981 DMC 3700 recently sold on our classifieds for only $2500. It spent the last 24 years in the south at Sky Valley, GA and then Scaly Mountain, NC. Scaly closed to skiing around 2000 and went to snowtubing only. Sky Valley (just a few miles south) closed around 2000 also and sold the cat to Scaly. The last five years, it was parked and not used. Scaly recently had the starter rebuilt, hooked up two batteries, added fresh fuel, and it fired right up!  The crew was blown away that it sounded ready to work. I delivered it to Raleigh, NC, of all places! Dale, the buyer, will be completely restoring it and then relocating it to his cabin in New Hampshire. I asked for pictures of the progress. A neighboring shop helped unload it with a forklift. The forklift operator John asked what it was. I told him it was a snowcat and showed him how the tracks look […]

Preserving Ski Industry History

OSHA isn’t a 4 letter word, it is 41 letters OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration During this time of isolation and shutdown for the ski industry, now is the time to do things we wouldn’t normally make time to do.  We can’t be out interacting with guests and co-workers but we can take this time to improve our safety knowledge.   In 2019, I decided to do a little research about OSHA.  All of my adult life I always thought of OSHA as a scary thing I never wanted to deal with.  Just be “safe” and do a good job and hopefully never need to deal with OSHA.   In recent years the ski industry, according to NSAA (National Ski Areas Association), has had a sharp increase in significant incidents involving staff.  This has put the ski industry on OSHA’s radar. Through my OSHA research I discovered two important things; OSHA was established to protect workers and employers. OSHA provides training to help make the workplace a safer place.   I completed a 30 hour online “General Industry” class for supervisors that covered a wide range of workplace situations and I have the certification card to prove it.  Before doing a little research, I […]

OSHA Isn’t a 4-letter Word, It’s 41 letters!

WE HAVE TWO WINNERS! Enter your chance to win a pair of Joka Polar gloves including postage. Name this former ski area that is just doing tubing now.  Hint – I was a bit sleepy when I was there in this Midwest state and the host city for the State Fair. The first two people to email us the correct answer with the tubing hill name, city and state plus your mailing information are the winners.  In the subject line, please copy and paste “Joka Contest March 18” The winners will be posted on here. CHSsnowmakers@gmail.com Posted March 18, 2020 7:45 PM mtn. WINNERS 1. Eric B of Buena Vista, CO (March 23) 2. Dave S of Palisade, CO (March 23)        

Joka Gloves Contest – Name Where This Is

used snowguns international transport

In December 2019, an Australian ski area contacted us about used snowguns that were listed on the CHS Classifieds pages. They purchased the 49 Borax B6 snowgun towers and contracted with CHS Snowmakers to facilitate transportation to the dock in Seattle. Check out the process in this video.

Used Snowguns – Idaho to Australia

Joka Contest

UPDATE! We have two winners! Dave Smith from Colorado and Mary Lenke from Ohio. Thank you to everyone who entered. Joka Glove & Mitten Contest *  January 28, 2020 We are giving away a pair of Joka Polar gloves or Therm mittens to the first two people to email us with the correct answer. Where is this photo? The rules are simple, emails only to CHSsnowmakers@gmail.com, in the subject line put “Joka Glove Contest January 24, 2020”.  In the email body include: the correct ski area name your full name mailing address email address what size glove or mitten you’d like You can only enter the correct answer once.  Two separate winners for a pair of Jokas (choose your size of a glove or mitten).  Postage within the USA is included, international winners will pay the difference in postage.  For Canadian customers it is an additional $10 of postage. www.CHSsnowmakers.com/joka-gloves See all the different Joka Gloves & Mitens available over on the JokaSafe website. Let us know if you’d like us to place a special order for you! Joka Glove & Mitten Contest SIZING: M(10) JokaPolar Gloves Glove Length 12.2 in Palm Length (from the base of your palm to the […]

Joka Glove & Mitten Contest

NSAA at squaw valley

NSAA Western Conference at Squaw Valley.  Will you be there?  January 14 – 16, 2020! Jason will be attending as a briefcase vendor this year.  Catch up to him and, if you can’t find him, text or call!  He might be giving away some Joka gloves if provoked.  303.818.5923 Let’s catch up! http://www.nsaa.org/events/winter-conferences-tradeshows/wts-home/

NSAA Western Conference at Squaw Valley

damaged snowmaking hose

Check out Jason’s latest article on hose safety published in SnowOps Magazine and let us know what you think! http://snowopsmag.com/digital/sept2019/page_24.html

Hose Safety 101 – SnowOps Magazine

Seven Oaks Recreation, located in Boone, Iowa, is accepting resumes for Area Manager, a full-time year-round position. Responsibilities include hiring/training/scheduling/managing/supervising the hourly (seasonal and FT) staff. The Area Manager will also assist the General Manager with projects and daily operations. This is a working position where you will be hands-on preparing and running the resort for the winter ski season, spring Gladiator Assault Challenge mud run and summer river float operation. Most weekends during peak seasons are a must. The right candidate will have: At least 2 years of management experience Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Great written and verbal communication skills A working knowledge of safe work practices The ability to pay attention to detail, respond to new methods/assignments, get results, work with associates/subordinates/patrons, work with a high degree of morale, and be self-motivated. Must have a clean driving record and either have a CDL Class B with air brakes and passenger endorsement or willing to get one. This is a salaried position with benefits- starting wage $42,000 to $50,000 depending on experience. www.SevenOaksRec.com Resumes should be sent to: joel@sevenoaksrec.com

Job Listing – Seven Oaks Recreation – Area Manager