Stratton Seasonal Programs – November ’23 Edition

Welcome to Winter 2023-2024!

Hello Everyone,

Just over a week to go until seasonal programs kick off for the winter 2023-2024 season! We cannot wait to welcome you and your family (back) to Stratton! I would like to sincerely thank you all for making Stratton your winter home, and for choosing to spend your season skiing and riding with us. I believe the biggest strength of our programs is the community created by you, your family, and our team of supervisors and coaches.

Before we dive into programs, I wanted to shout out our amazing team here at Stratton for all their hard work this summer. We’ve made some BIG upgrades to the mountain that are going to create an even better experience for you and your family. These upgrades include a redesigned learning area, RFID gates, snowmaking upgrades, and a brand-new indoor climbing gym. You can learn more about all these amazing changes by reading the blog post linked below:

What’s New at Stratton Mountain: Winter 23/24

Check out this aerial shot of the new carpets being installed on Lower Tyro!

Alright, now that I’ve got you even more excited about this season, let’s talk Seasonal Programs! In this post, you’ll find a lot of information to prepare you for our first day of programming. If you have any additional questions after reading this, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

2023-2024 Program Dates

Programs will begin on December 9th and run every Saturday and Sunday through March 31st as well as holiday weeks. A complete list of the program dates are listed below:

Daily Schedule

At the end of last season, we sent out a survey asking our families what their daily schedule preference would be for this season. The feedback was unanimous that our families wanted a full-day program on Saturdays and Holidays and a half-day program on Sundays (with the exception of the Cub Club program which will remain a full-day program every day.)

Below you’ll find the list of programs, their hours, and their meeting locations:

• Cub Club – 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
  • Downstairs in the Jr. Mountain Sports School building
• Cross Cub – 8:30 am to 11:30 am & 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturdays/Holidays and 8:30 am to 11:30 am on Sundays
  • Cross Cub flag, Lower Tyro, between South American and the Magic Carpet lifts
• Synergy – 8:30 am to 11:30 am & 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturdays/Holidays and 8:30 am to 11:30 am on Sundays
  • Synergy flag, Lower Tyro, between South American and the Magic Carpet lifts
• STR – 8:30 am to 11:30 am & 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturdays/Holidays and 8:30 am to 11:30 am on Sundays
  • STR flag, Lower Tyro, between South American and the Magic Carpet lifts
• AAMP – 8:30 am to 11:30 am & 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturdays/Holidays and 8:30 am to 11:30 am on Sundays
  • AAMP flag, in front of the Mountain Sports School building

Here is a complete list of the half days for Cross Cub, Synergy, STR, and AAMP:
– 12/10, 12/17, 12/24, 1/7, 1/15, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/19, 2/25, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31

Arrival Process and Group Placement

When you arrive at the resort for your first day of programs, you’ll look for the program flags associated with the programs you’re enrolled in. When you make it to the program meetings areas, ask anyone in a Mountain Sports School jacket to point you toward the program supervisor in order to check-in. You’ll give the supervisor an overview of your child’s skiing or riding ability and the supervisor will make sure they’re placed in the appropriate group. Below is a list of the supervisors for each program:

• Cub Club – Matt Erickson
  • merickson@stratton.com
• Cross Cub – Frances Hoeffner
  • fhoeffner@stratton.com
• Synergy – Sarah Kneip
  • skneip@stratton.com
• STR – Alan Rechetelo
  • arechetelo@stratton.com

While the specifics of how each program breaks up their groups may differ slightly, overall we will create groups based on a few different factors:

• Ability Level
• Speed
• Stamina
• Maturity
• How well the group gets along with one another

We try to have groups sorted by the December holiday week so we ask that you try and make it up at least one weekend before the busy holiday week. Program participants will ski with the same group and coach(es) throughout the season unless they’re progressing at a much different rate than the rest of their group. If you have any questions about the group that you or your child are in, please speak with the coach and supervisor of the program.

Season Passes

Before arriving on the morning of the 9th, please be sure to have your season passes ready to go. Passes should be kept in a pocket on the left-hand side of your body, clear of any other items. For all IKON pass holders, you would have received a new pass in the mail. If you would like to test your pass prior to getting to line up, try the practice validation gate in the courtyard next to the Cub Club room. If you did not please go to Guest Services to have one printed before meeting the group in the morning. Guest Services opens at 7:30 am.

Also, make sure you did not purchase a pass with blackout dates if you are attending programs during the holiday periods. If you need to upgrade your pass to include black-out/holiday dates, please call 1-800-Stratton. If you would like to update your IKON or Stratton pass photo please email Guest Services.

As I had mentioned previously, Stratton has upgraded our lift scanning to RFID gates. For those of you who haven’t used these gates before, check out the blog linked below to learn about them before your first day on snow:

WHAT DOES RFID MEAN FOR ME?

Seasonal Program Meet & Greet

On Saturday, December 2nd we’re going to host an informal meet and greet session in the Junior Mountain Sports School from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet our seasonal program leadership and a few of our coaches. You’ll find representatives from Cross Cub, Synergy, STR, and AAMP in the Junior School lobby. For our Cub Clubbers, you’ll find members of the Cub Club team downstairs in the Junior School.

Below you’ll find additional information specific to each program. Please reach out to me or the program supervisors with any additional questions. We can’t wait to ski and ride with you and your family on the 9th!!

Best,

Tony Bailey
Stratton Seasonal Program Manager
tbailey@stratton.com
802-297-4074

Cub Club

Our first weekend is just around the corner, and we have been very busy prepping for Opening Day. We are excited to see the sliders from previous years and the staff and I are excited to welcome the newest members to the Cub Club experience!

Cub Club will be ready to roll on December 9th and we will open our doors at 8:15 a.m. If you are new to the Club, there are a few things you should know:

• We are a learn-to-slide program and slide in all conditions and weather, so don’t expect us to sit inside on a cold and windy day. This is why it’s very important that you’re dressing your Cubs appropriately for the weather each day.
• Each member will get a cubby to store their gear for the season as well as a place to store skis and snowboards.
• I suggest you pack an extra set of underclothes in a labeled Zip-lock and store it in their cubby!
  • Labeling all their clothes helps too, you can imagine how many pairs of black mittens are in the room. 😁
• The room has two doors we use, one for entering, and one for exiting! We will have greeters on the porch in the morning to greet you! 

Cub Club Student Info

Please take a moment to fill out the form linked below that provides us with emergency contact and any food allergies we need to be aware of. 
Cub Club 2023-2024 Student Information Form

Just a few more details, my background is in education, and I run the program much like school. We rotate instructors through the different groups, generally, the students have the same instructor for the weekend. The students will have an opportunity to get to know everyone involved in the program. Well, that’s all for now, I look forward to seeing you this season!

Cross Cub

Welcome to our 2023-2024 Ski Season Cross Cubbers!

I cannot believe we are already back for another season! I am looking forward to meeting those of you who are new, and in many cases, welcoming many of you back for another great season.

In Cross Cub, our top priority is to make sure your children have fun and stay safe while improving their skiing skills. Our instructors are passionate about skiing and teaching, and in my humble opinion are the most fun group of coaches on the mountain. We enjoy every minute we spend with your children, and gain as much joy as they do when they accomplish new skills, attack new terrain or conquer a new trail.

For those of you who are joining us for the first year, or for those who need a quick refresher, below are some frequently asked questions I get throughout the year:

Where is the meeting area?

Look for the Cross Cub flag, in the main base area, between the uphill of the Junior Mountain Sports School. Typically you’ll find it on the west side of the American Express Chair and uphill from Junior MSS.

Breaks?

We generally feel the need for refreshments and warmth at some point during our session, so we usually stop at the Mid Mountain Lodge or the Sun Bowl Lodge for a quick hot cocoa break. We try to avoid the confusion of the Base Lodge. Kids are usually on their own for a snack/drink so they should bring a couple of dollars each day, or feel free to pack them a snack(no nuts please!) For some of our younger kids, this is their first opportunity to handle money. We suggest you set up resort charge for their season pass. If there are any guidelines you would like your child to follow, feel free to let their instructor know and we will do our best to assist.

What happens if our young athletes get separated from the group?

Although we take great care to prevent separation, it does occasionally happen, which is why we address safety right from the beginning. They are coached to return to our flag, so our first move is to ski down and pick them up there. If they are not close to the base area and would need to take another lift to get to our flag, they are coached to go to a Lift Attendant or to a Ski or Safety Patroller who will call for appropriate personnel. It is very helpful for you to reinforce these directions with them.

What should the children wear?

We ask that the children dress appropriately for their day on snow. Velcro-shut mittens don’t cut it when it’s 10 degrees out and the wind is blowing at 20 mph. appropriately size, high-quality mittens or gloves are a must (my favorite are the Hestra Juniors Heli Ski Mitt). Dressing in layers is also important. The first layer should wick away moisture, the middle layers supply the insulation and the outer layer should be wind and waterproof-resistant. Helmets, neck warmers, thin socks, good goggles (double pane anti-fog), and zippers that work, all make for a more pleasurable day on the hill. Clothing should be functional! We assume that if you show up, you are planning on skiing, so have your child dressed for the weather. Please include hand and toe warmers with your children (even if they tell you they don’t want them- 95% of the time the kids will ask for a pair after a run or two on a cold day). Lastly, children are expected to be able to dress themselves after our snack break- if needed, have them practice putting all of their layers on before the first day! We are happy to help with a buckle or two, but in order to maximize our time on snow, the children need to be able to get ready themselves.

What weather do you go out in?

Cross Cubs begins the second weekend in December and ends in March. In between, we will ski on anything that’s white, mostly white and deep enough to make a turn. We’ll ski in just about every kind of weather. If the kids are game to go, we will be ready. And yes, we do go out when it’s snowing! (Believe it or not I have been asked this before)

Where do you ski on the mountain?

Our coaches are in charge of choosing appropriate terrain for their group each day based on what they feel is safe for the entire group. This may mean there are days where our groups do not make it to the top due to snow conditions and weather (I know, I know every day is a bluebird day at Stratton, and it’s never windy) Don’t worry if one or two weekends are spent on the lower mountain because by the end of the season, Cross Cubbers will be skiing all over Stratton. If it’s a marked trail on the map and it is not roped off, it is fair game. Now, don’t get too nervous, we don’t force anyone to go down anything that makes them uncomfortable or is beyond their ability. We like to teach and have fun on easy slopes that progress in difficulty as the season goes on.

Pick Up/ Drop Off Protocols:

• Please make every effort to arrive on time to each session- the sooner we have all groups formed, the sooner we get to go out and slide!
• Parents/ Guardians must pick kids up at the flag at the end of each session. We cannot let the kids go without supervision.
• Kids must say goodbye at the end of the session once they’ve been picked up. More importantly, make sure your coach hears you and acknowledges you (while we love talking to the parents, we prefer having the kids say goodbye instead of just running off)
• If you do not plan on coming back in for the afternoon, please let your coach know at morning pick-up. This will help the groups get back on snow much faster in the afternoon!

Why Cross Cub?

While our main goal is to improve our skiing, Cross Cubbers like to have FUN!! Below you will find a list of events we hold during our season that have been hits in years past that we cannot wait to bring back:

• Parent vs Child Races
• Balloon Days
• Helmet Decorating Contest
• Dress Up Day
• Scavenger Hunt
• Bring-Your-Stuffie-To-Ski-Day
  • Dates for these are TBD but we will try to communicate them to you at least a week before. Please also follow us on Instagram at @strattonseasonalprograms and I will post reminders there.

If you have any additional questions please don’t hesitate to shoot me an email or seek me out – I am usually on the mountain skiing with the kids – join me anytime.

Thank you for letting us ski with your children. See you all December 9th

Frances Hoeffner
Cross Cub Supervisor
fhoeffner@stratton.com

Synergy

Welcome Synergy skiers both new and old!

To our new friends and families, welcome! Our Synergy team is thrilled to have you joining our family this year! To our returning friends and families, your coaches and I can’t wait to see you out on the slopes again! The 23/43 ski season is now upon us, so I hope y’all are prepared to get your ski legs back!

The Synergy coaches and I are committed to ensuring that all of our students are well-rounded ski citizens equipped with solid foundations in skiing technique, safety, and mountain etiquette. We focus on a progression model in which our skiers hone in on specific skills and then have the opportunity to blend, shape, and adapt these skills with a variety of snow conditions and terrain. We do it ALL: groomed terrain, glades, bumps, race courses, terrain parks, you name it! I do want to emphasize that Synergy’s biggest goal is creating lifelong skiers who are passionate about the snow and sharing their love of snowsports with their family and friends.

Throughout the season, Synergy hosts (and boasts) several themed days. You can look forward to events such as our favorite Parent vs. Child Races (usually held twice a season), a scavenger hunt, Onesie Day, Bring a Stuffed Animal to Ski Day, Decorate Your Helmet Day (my personal favorite), and an end of the season pizza party. Keep an eye out for an email in the future with dates and times for these events.

The first few weeks of our program will consist of setting up groups for the season and finding the right fit between our coaches and our students. This process is ongoing throughout the season, but we do try to keep groups as consistent as possible! With that being said, depending on staffing, your student might ski with a different coach or group for the weekend. We strive to consider all students’ abilities, comfort zones, and friendships when creating groups. As we get further into the season, we will encourage our students to build their confidence and challenge them to face whatever Mother Nature throws at us for the weekend.

Housekeeping Items:

• We ski snow, sometimes but hopefully not rain, and shine!
• Drop Off meeting location is on snow at the Synergy Flag at 8:30 AM on Lower Tyrolienne
• The first loop on AMEX (weather dependent) is at 8:45 AM sharp; once groups are scanned, they are free to go where the snow is best, which means connecting late students to their groups is not always feasible.
• Your students should be ready to ski when they arrive! All equipment should be ready to go with proper clothing for the weather including appropriate (thin) layers, goggles, and ski pass/lift ticket in place.
• Break(s) will be offered throughout the session. Snacks and drinks are NOT provided. Some students use cash while other students use their passes for small snacks and drinks. Please let coaches know about any allergies!
• The pick-up location will be the same as Drop Off at 11:30 AM. Please let your student’s coach know if there are any special pick-up changes/arrangements.
• Lunch is not provided, so lunch break is with parental units or another responsible adult.
• PM session will resume at 12:30 PM, at the same meeting location (Lower Tyro). Please be on time in the afternoon!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! You can find me at the Synergy flag at the morning lineup by 8:30AM. Look for a red jacket! I’m just kidding; look for a white helmet, sparkly bow, and Waffles, the penguin!

See you on the hill,

Sarah Kneip
Synergy Supervisor
skneip@stratton.com

STR

Welcome STR!

My name is Alan Recheleto. I have been fortunate to be a part of the Stratton team for the last 5 seasons. Before becoming the STR supervisor, I was a supervisor in the Junior School and a coach in Cub Club. I’m really excited to make my return to Stratton’s seasonal programs this winter and get to know more of our seasonal program families!  

 Stratton has provided me with so many experiences from making lifelong friends to gaining a lot of skiing knowledge. The bonds with fellow skiers and the continued pursuit of improvement as a skier and as a coach are really what keep me coming back season after season. I’m really excited to share my passion and love of skiing with the STR group and help build lasting friendships for our participants.

I’m working on developing some great events and activities for our STR group this season. More info coming soon but if you have any ideas or requests, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sharpen your edges, wax your skis get ready December 9th. I can’t wait to meet you then.

Alan Rechetelo
STR Supervisor
arechetelo@stratton.com 

AAMP

Hello AAMPers,

We’re excited for you to join us for another great season with the AAMP team! AAMP is quite a special program and speaking on behalf of our coaches we’re all grateful that you chose to spend your season with us.

I’ve had the privilege of overseeing this program for the last 7 years and it’s amazing to see this community of skiers join the program year after year. It’s also been great to see our more “veteran” AAMPers welcome in new AAMPers every season. One group of skiers that I’m particularly excited to have joined us is our beginner/novice skiers. I’m so stoked to see a group of people who are ready to commit to becoming skiers by immersing themselves in the instruction and the culture. A big thank you to our returning AAMPers and our coaches for making our new participants feel comfortable and welcome.

As some of you may know, Brad Andrews has decided to step down from his leadership role as the supervisor of the AAMP program. Brad will still be working with the AAMPers as a coach but he’ll no longer be your point person. As it stands right now, our search for a new AAMP supervisor is ongoing. In the meantime, you can direct all of your AAMP-related questions, feedback, etc. to Tony Bailey.

Speaking of feedback, over the summer I heard from a few of you with ideas about how we can improve the program. I will work with our AAMP coaches to implement this feedback this season. For starters, I will work on sending out communications each week about which coaches are going to ski with which group. The goal is to try and get everyone sorted and skiing a little quicker each day.

Another thing I wanted to mention is the class scanning each day. We utilize a program called “Flaik” to keep track of our classes across the entire school. These class scans are also used for paying our coaches each day. I realize that the class scan does slow down your departure onto the mountain but it’s important that this happens every session both mornings and afternoons and I really appreciate your patience with this.

Well, I think that’s all for now. As I mentioned previously, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or feedback.

Tony Bailey
Seasonal Programs Manager
tbailey@stratton.com
802-297-4074