Stratton Seasonal Program Blog – November ’24 Edition

Welcome to Winter 2024-2025!

Hello Everyone,

The winter 2024-2025 season is just around the corner—only a couple of weeks until our seasonal programs kick off! We can’t wait to welcome you and your family (or welcome you back!) to Stratton. As always, we’re so grateful that you’ve chosen Stratton as your winter home, and we’re looking forward to another fantastic season of skiing together. The heart of our programs is the incredible community formed by you, your family, and our dedicated team of supervisors and coaches.

Before diving into program details, I want to give a huge shoutout to the amazing team at Stratton for all their hard work this summer. We’ve made some significant upgrades to the mountain that will make your experience even more enjoyable this winter. This includes an upgrade to the URSA lift, enhanced snowmaking systems, changes to food and beverage locations, and more. You can learn more about these exciting improvements and the investments being made by Alterra by clicking the link below.

What’s New at Stratton Mountain: Winter 24/25

Now that you’re even more excited for the season ahead, let’s talk about Seasonal Programs. Below is all the information you need to prepare for the first day of programming. If you have any further questions after reading through, feel free to reach out!

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2024-2025 Program Dates

Our programs begin on December 14, 2024, and run every Saturday and Sunday through March 30, 2025, as well as during the holiday weeks. Here’s a complete list of program dates:

December: 14, 15, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Programs will not run on December 23, 24, or 25.

January: 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26
Programs will not run on January 1, 2, or 3

February: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23
Programs will not run on February 18, 19, 20 or 21.

March: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30

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Daily Schedule

Based on feedback, we’re continuing with the same schedule structure this year. Our families overwhelmingly preferred a full-day program on Saturdays and holiday periods, with a half-day program on Sundays. The Cub Club program will remain a full-day program every day.

Here are the hours and meeting locations for each program:

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

Here are the half days for Cross Cub, Synergy, and AAMP programs this season:

• December: 8, 15, 22
• January: 5, 12, 26
• February: 2, 9, 23
• March: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

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Arrival Process and Group Placement

On your first day of programs, please head to the meeting area associated with your child’s program (look for the program flags). When you arrive, a supervisor will be available to check you in. You’ll share a quick overview of your child’s skiing ability, and they’ll be placed in the appropriate group. Here are the program supervisors for this season:

As in past seasons, we’ll place kids in groups based on the following factors:

• Ability level
• Speed
• Stamina
• Maturity
• Group dynamics

We aim to have groups finalized by the December holiday week, so please plan to bring your child up at least one weekend before that if possible. Once groups are set, children will ski with the same group and coach unless they progress at a different rate. If you have questions about your child’s group, feel free to reach out to the program supervisor or coach.

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Season Passes

Be sure to have your season pass ready before your first day. Passes should be kept in a pocket on the left-hand side of your body to ensure smooth scanning. If you’re an IKON pass holder, you should have already received your new pass in the mail. We recommend testing your pass at one of the practice RFID gates near the Junior Mountain Sports School to make sure it works properly.

If you haven’t received your new pass or need to print one, please visit Guest Services (opens at 7:30 am) before meeting your program group. Also, double-check that your pass covers holiday periods; if you need to upgrade your pass to include blackout dates, you can do so by calling 1-800-STRATTON.

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We’re looking forward to another fantastic season and can’t wait to hit the slopes with you and your family starting on December 14th!

If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

See you soon!

Tony Bailey
Stratton Seasonal Program Manager & Bike Park Manager
Email: tbailey@stratton.com
Phone: 802-297-4074

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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 skiers 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 14th, we will open the doors at 8:15 a.m.!

If you are wondering what the day looks like for your child, here is a snapshot!

• 8:15-8:50 – Check-in, better to be early, then run late!
• 8:50-9:00 – Prepare to head out the door
• 9:00-9:15 – Heading to the hill, advanced groups first
• 9:15-11:30 – Sliding on the mountain
• 11:30-12:30 – Lunch and indoor activities
• 12:30-12:45 – Prepare to head out the door
• 1:00-3:00 – Sliding on the mountain
• 3:00-3:15 – Pick-up time

Pick-up time is a chance to meet your child’s instructor and other parents of children enrolled in the program, you are welcome to wait in the room as the students return from sliding.

2024-2025 Cub Club Student Info

Please take a moment to complete the form linked below for any children who are enrolled in Cub Club. This form will help us prepare for opening day and ensure we can get ahold of you if there’s an emergency.

Cub Club Student Info Form

Returning Skiers

If your child skied with us last year, and is a Raccoon or higher, we will leave the room at 8:45, with the returning Rabbits and Squirrels going out on the snow by 9:00, so please check in prior to 8:45. With the upper groups going out at 8:45, we will not hold a group. If you are running late, give us a call or wait until the morning break to drop your student off.

New to the program

If you are new to the program this year, then you can have that extra cup of coffee and check in after 8:45. All new skiers will be evaluated for a ski group, with all “new to the sport skiers” starting in Mouse.

Here are a couple of additional housekeeping items:

• 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.
• Each member will get a cubby to store their gear for the season, we also offer indoor storage for skis.
• 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. 
• We are a learn-to-ski program and we ski in all conditions and weather. So please make sure your child is dressed appropriately because we will not sit inside on cold, windy, or even rainy days.
• I suggest you pack an extra set of under-clothes 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.
• Mr. Ron will be in the room on 12/7 and 12/8 from 9 am to 12 pm to help with cubby selection and ski labeling.

My background is in education, and I run the program much like school. Well, that’s all for now, I look forward to seeing you this season! Any questions, feel free to email me.

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Cross Cub

Welcome to our 2024-2025 Ski Season Cross Cubbers!

It’s hard to believe we are already back for another season! I am looking forward to meeting those of you that 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.

Apologies in advance for the lengthy newsletter (I promise future newsletters will be shorter!) Below is some important housekeeping items and frequently asked questions I get throughout the year:

How are groups determined?
The first 2 weekends of program are generally when most groups are formed. Several of our most seasoned coaches help me break children out into different groups based on skill level once you arrive on the hill. Every group will begin on the carpet the first 2 weekends to ensure skill levels are separated appropriately (even if you skied with us last year!). Many times, your child’s first day with us is their first day skiing for the season and this helps to get their ski legs back under them (especially if they went through a growth spurt and are on new equipment). Once groups are formed, then they are sent off to explore the mountain.

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 sized, 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, 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.

Passes?
Please ensure your child arrives with his or her pass every day. I highly suggest putting their pass on the left side of their helmet since it is a piece of equipment that they wear every time they ski with us! Below is a link to a pass holder if you need one: Ski Pass Holder

This will help eliminate the need for our coaches to go get a new pass printed after drop off and will help the entire group get out on the hill faster. I also found that for some of our younger participants, it was hard for them to reach the RFID scanner when their pass was in their pocket, so this makes it easier for them to get through the gates.

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 to 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 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 blue bird 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 Race
• Balloon Days
• Helmet Decorating Contest
• Dress Up Day
• Scavenger Hunt
• Bring-Your-Stuffie-To-Ski-Day

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 14th!

Frances Hoeffner
Cross Cub Supervisor
fhoeffner@stratton.com

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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 24/25 ski season is now upon us, so I hope y’all are prepared to make some turns!

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 (based on the PSIA 5 Fundamentals of Skiing), 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), our Annual Cookie Swap, 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 party. This year, we are also looking to have some social gatherings off the slopes. 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 on-going 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 work diligently 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.

Important Notes:

• We ski snow, rain, shine, warm and super cold days
• Drop Off meeting location is on snow at the Synergy Flag at 8:30 AM on Lower Tyrolienne
• First loop on AMEX Chair (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 student 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 pass for small snacks and drinks. Please let coaches know about any allergies!
• 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 or if you will be late.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! You can find me at the Synergy flag at 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!

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AAMP

Seasons Greetings AAMPers,

Welcome back and thanks to our returning AAMPers. If you are new to AAMP, we look forward to meeting and sharing our passion for skiing with you! The beginning of every season always brings a lot of excitement. As of this writing, the weather forecast includes snow and snow making temperatures. I am confident that the magical Stratton Snowmaking and Grooming teams will supply us with a great season opening on December 14.

AAMP is a very unique program offered to our Stratton community. Some new and exciting changes have taken shape for the program over the summer. Working together, our skilled PSIA-certified coaches will take you through planned skills progressions developed to refine every AAMPers abilities. We will continue our focus on all mountain performance skiing including groomers, bumps, trees, steeps, and even race courses at all ability levels.

We are working on plans for special on snow events such as an introduction to the alpine race course and clinics for bump, tree and ice skiing.

Returning this season, stay tuned for our various Après ski socials. Details to follow.

The AAMP program is primed for growth and we appreciate your help to spread the word to others about our unique AAMP program.

Greg Morin
AAMP Supervisor
greg.morin@stratton.com