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ski resort operations and management
SROM 172 Ski Lift Functions,
Maintenance and Regulations
The development of uphill transportation
systems and passenger ropeways in particular,
has enabled recreational skiing to evolve into a
thriving industry. The continuing evolution of
passenger ropeway technology and passenger
conveyer systems continues to shape the character
of ski resorts and the quality of the ski and
snowboarding experience.
SROM 172 examines passenger ropeway
technology as it is applied in today’s winter
recreation areas and resorts. In this course,
you will examine the mechanical functioning
of passenger ropeway components in the most
commonly used passenger ropeways in the
ski industry today - fixed and detachable grip
chairlifts.
You will also identify passenger ropeway
maintenance requirements and preventative
maintenance procedures. Finally you will learn
about passenger ropeway regulations in Canada,
including the CSA Z98 Standard.
This course is available via Distance Education.
SROM 180 Field Study
Each of these 3 numbered courses consists of
a five day field trip to visit ski areas. Although
venues change from year to year, the field trips
typically include visits to major ski resorts and
regions throughout western Canada. The purpose
of these visits is to talk with ski area managers and
supervisors, on location, about their duties and
responsibilities and to inspect operating
departments at each ski resort visited. This trip
provides an excellent opportunity for candid
conversations between students and ski industry
personnel. Students also inspect real facilities and
equipment such as detachable chairlifts at these
resorts. These 3 field trips are an excellent
opportunity for students to arrange potential
jobs for their work semester and post-graduation
careers.
SROM 151 Tourism Marketing
and Customer Service
In SROM 151 the roles and functions of
marketing in the tourism industry are examined.
The principles of customer service excellence and
service recovery are discussed in detail. You are
lead through the Marketing Planning Process
discovering how the (THE MARKETING MIX)
are used to market tourism products and services.
You will conduct a case study of a company’s use
of marketing tactics and strategies, explain the
uses of the myriad marketing tools, and provide
examples of how marketing is applied in real
world situations. Marketing technology in the
3rd Millennium is also covered.
SROM 153 Organizational Leadership
for the Resort Industry
SROM 153 is designed to help prospective
supervisors understand how individuals and
organizations function effectively through
the study of behaviour, communication and
organizational structure. It provides students with
a working knowledge of the formal relationships
between employees and management in the work
place through the study of leadership styles, group
dynamics and motivation. Students will gain an
understanding of the skills required to lead people
and to contribute to a team effort. This course
also examines changes in society and how they
are influencing organizations relating to employee
and management roles in time management, stress
management, and problem solving.
SROM 156 Data Base Management
and Web Design
The first segment of this course will cover the
basic concepts of understanding, querying and
maintenance of Microsoft Access 2007.
In the second segment of the course the students
study results of Google Analytics on specific
websites and become aware of accessibility issues
with regard to standard-based web designing
practices.
Students review social media marketing concepts
then create a business blog that assimilates
marketing of that business. In this process
students use an image manipulation program to
create/rework and upload photos/videos.
SROM 157 Ski Retail/Rental
Shop Management
Part I: SROM 157 Ski Resort Rental Operations:
Students will be introduced to the practical
aspects of ski and snowboard rental shop
operations. The layout and design of rental shops
now must accommodate a wide range of rental
equipment including: shaped skis, snowboarding
equipment, demos, and other sliding devices such
as snow-bikes. Equipment purchase, rotation and
disposal of aging rental equipment, and inventory
control will be studied. Rental agreements, the
CWSAA rental waiver, and liability issues will be
discussed. The maintenance of rental equipment
and the importance of good record keeping will
be emphasized. Finally, repair shop operations
as a satellite operation of the rental shop will
round out the topics of discussion. Students
will complete a Rental Shop Design project to
enhance their knowledge of effective rental shop
layout, flow, and balance.
Part II: SROM 157 Ski Resort Retail Shops: For
the second half of this course, students will be
given an overview of retailing and how ski resort
retail shops have become an integral revenue
centre in today’s ski resort operations. The
following retail topics will be discussed including:
buying cycle, customer service and selling, shop
layout, and product merchandising. Pricing, the
basis for mark-up, and discounting as related to
retail shop financial performance will be studied.
Guest speakers from local ski or snowboard
retail operations will present content on current
industry trends and successful retail strategies.
Students will carry out a critical analysis of a local
sports retail shop to enhance their knowledge of
store layout, merchandising, and in-store security.
SROM 160 Ski Resort Guest Services
and Snow School Operations
Guest Services personnel perform many functions
at ski resorts and ski areas. As front line
employees, they must be equipped with excellent
customer service skills. Quality service delivery,
product sales techniques and administrative skills
are all employed by staff members working in
Guest Services operations.
Snow School Operations is an integral part of a
Ski resort’s services. With the proper management
techniques a snow school could be a major
revenue centre for the resort. The function,
quality and performance of front-line instructors
as well as supervisors and management of the
snow school can make or break a beginner’s ski/
snowboard experience.
SROM 160 is presented to provide students with
some of the practical knowledge required to sell
ski resort products and deliver services to ski
resort guests. The size of the ski resort determines
the makeup of this operating department and the
complexity of systems used. The ability to adapt
and design delivery and product sales systems
for different size operations will be emphasized.
Interfacing management requirements for
statistical information and guest controls with
the practical design and application of systems
and procedures is a requirement for the efficient
operation of this operating department.
This course will also focus on Snow School
Operations from a management perspective. An
emphasis will be put on staffing, scheduling,
budgeting and programming.
SROM 166 Ski Resort
Facilities Maintenance
Effective management of a ski resort requires
smooth functioning of all base area facilities.
Base area facilities include the parking lots, day
lodges, accommodation facilities, and resort
service buildings. Managers and supervisory
personnel need to have knowledge of both the
function and maintenance requirements of these
key base area facilities. Managers must also
have intimate knowledge of the functioning and
142 Selkirk College 12/13 School of Hospitality and Tourism