Written by class of 2014 Advisory Committee. September 2013 Welcome Back SROAMies Already a month into the third semester for the second year SROAM students! We came back to Nelson at the beginning of August, with our heads ready to hit the books (and the slopes!). By the end of the fall, we will have gained skills in special events, marketing, ski area construction and project management, human resources, budgeting, supervisory lift operations and food & beverage administration. In addition to our class knowledge, we are also going to leave with a Food Safe ticket, a Train the Trainer certificate, experience in making a real event happen and memories of three fantastic semesters. Eight SROAM students were awarded scholarships for their hard work, academic success and leadership last year. Among those awarded were David Seidel (Sunshine Village Scholarship), Matt Skaien, Paul Brammer, Amy Wellman, Katherine Seleski (Canada West Ski Areas Association Scholarship), Camille Benoit, Natasha Stormes (Association des Stations de Ski du Quebec Scholarship) and Bradley Moore (Daniel Richard Matthews Memorial Scholarship) and Dan Wilson (Whitewater Scholarship and SROAM Alumni Scholarship). Congratulations SROAMies and many thanks to the donors for their generous financial support of our future industry leaders. Our third and last field trip was a huge success!. After driving across BC, we visited Manning Park Resort who gave us a great view of what it takes to get a resort back up into prime shape. Tuesday morning started in Vancouver with a visit up the tram to Grouse Mountain and down the road to Cypress. At the Grouse Mountain stop, we were shown the fantastic views and treated to presentations from the marketing department and many more. Cypress management team, after a
quick lunch, explained the in-depth process and challenges of preparing for the Olympics. Along the way to Whistler village, we stopped and were shown the new Sea to Sky project. What a view that is going to be! Wednesday morning came bright and early in Whistler as we were shown the red carpet by Joel Chevalier and his Employee Experience team. Speeches and tours followed all over the mountain. Following a very full day, we met at the base of the mountain and were treated to beer and nachos. Our final day on the coast took us to Brent Harley and Associates office. After a fascinating visit learning about the planning process of a resort, we jetted off to our final field trip destination of Prior Skis and Snowboard head office. Learning about the building process of quality, hand made skis was an eye opener. During the afternoon, the SROAM class was given free reign over Whistler! Friday brought a tired but satisfied class back to Nelson to enjoy another great Kootenay summer weekend. Following the field trip, during the first week of September, we were lucky enough to be working in the school cafeteria, located right beside the college and the residence building. All week, we worked under the expertise of Chef Gary
and Chef Sandra who trained us on how to operate a cafeteria effectively. We learned how to operate the equipment, how to handle food properly, and how to serve food to the guests. Cooking can be hard at times, especially when doing it for a large number of people, but that week was definitely a lot of fun! In less than two months, all the second-year SROAMies are going to go their separate ways to accomplish the final semester which consists in a work practicum: a season-long work term at a ski resort, occupying a full-time paid position. We are trained for any department within a resort: lift operations, F&B, ski/snowboard school, patrol and snow safety, guest services, rental/retail store, events and marketing, etc. Many of us already have jobs confirmed for the season, but a couple of us are still looking for the best fit! If you are an employer looking for a skilled and keen employee, don t hesitate to post a job on the Ski Resort Operations and Management Facebook page: https:// www.facebook.com/selkirkcollegesroam. Or email to Bob Dodge at bdodge@selkirk.ca On October 19th, the second year SROAM students will be putting on the 3rd annual SROAMazing Race using an accumulation of all the skills learned throughout the program, especially in the Special Events and Marketing course. This race takes place annually in downtown Nelson and showcases local and international businesses.
Local families, students and businesses take part in this extremely successful event. This year, proceeds from the race and BBQ will benefit the Avalanche Awareness Beyond the Boundaries society who raise awareness of snow safety for youth and teens in the Kootenay area. If you, or someone you know would like to sponsor or otherwise become involved with the SROAMazing Race, send us an email at the.sroamazing.race@gmail.com September welcomed a whole new class of 27 aspiring ski area managers. This is by far the most geographically diverse class in the 33 year history of the program with students from South Africa, Ukraine, New Zealand, Australia, Chile(2), Argentina, Russia and the USA. As they rolled in, the second year students made sure to make them feel welcome in the Kootenays and show them the beautiful area we live in. The class of 2015 brings tons of energy and varied experience to the third floor of the Tenth Street Campus. Bob Dodge and Ross White have already taken the class to Whitewater which boosted the already high stoke level. Looks like it is going to be another great year for the SROAM students!
NAME: Peter Koltes AGE: 19 FROM: Calgary, AB SKI INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE: : Worked at COP in Calgary as a lift operator, received CASI level I and at Kimberley as a line cook. FUTURE CAREER GOALS: Make a career in something hands on and outside, something I want to go to every day. WHY SROAM: Didn t plan on any other secondary schooling until I heard of this program. BEST DAY EVER: March 21st 2013 at Whitewater in Trash Chutes NAME: Andrew Helton AGE: 20 FROM: Calgary, AB SKI INDUSTRY EXP: 3 years coaching, instructing ski/bike FUTURE CAREER GOALS: Avalanche control, Patrol WHY SROAM: What else do you do as a ski bum! BEST DAY EVER: Riding 37cm of fresh in Trash Chutes, to come home and ride my bike in the same day! Student Profiles NAME: Jo Osadchuk AGE: 20 FROM: Nelson, BC SKI INDUSTRY EXP: 15yrs skiing, grew up at Whitewater, hospitality training, Chefs training at Selkirk College, 5 star hotel experience FUTURE CAREER GOALS: In 5 years, I see myself working on a marketing team. Eventually want to work as an HR manager at a resort. I want a job I love to be at! WHY SROAM: Heard great things from past SROAMies and make a career out of what I love. BEST DAY EVER: Building a 2m deep Quincy at Whitewater to eat lunch in after touring all day.