Case Studies
Aspen Skiing Company Snow Safety Program
In 2022, Aspen Skiing Company asked DHA to perform a review of their Snow Safety Programs at their three mountains with avalanche terrain (Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass). The project was separated into two phases. The first phase started with creating three different surveys sent to Senior Management, Ski Patrol Directors/Snow Safety Directors, and Route Leaders. These surveys led to a more targeted and informed site visit, which involved interviewing many survey respondents, from Mountain Managers to Line Patrollers. The first site visit was over ten days in December, where Don Sharaf visited all three programs. The timing was perfect, as all the mountains were either in set-up mode or in early-season operations mode. All mountains were in the process of opening more terrain as conditions allowed, and it showed the snow safety teams at full strength. Pre-visit “discovery” included looking at training logs, avalanche atlases, explosive documentation procedures, position descriptions, and avalanche occurrence records. Onsite work included observation of route running, pre-opening snow compaction efforts and records, infrastructure exposure, magazine placement, and interviews. Following the visit, a comprehensive report of observations was submitted to each snow safety program and senior management. A draft report was written for the Phase 2 team to inform follow-up questions and interviews.
Phase 2 was performed in March when wet avalanches were expected to be possible, but it was still very much winter in Pitkin County. Dave Hamre, Onno Weiringa, and Don Sharaf met in Aspen and met with some Senior Managers as well as the Snow Safety Directors. The follow-up site visit enabled the DHA team to see “normal” operations when all of the Aspen Skiing Company’s terrain was open, and the patrols were working towards the end of a busy season. As Dave, Onno, and Don wrapped up their mountain visits, they collaborated and discussed their findings, considerations, and recommendations for the programs with Snow Safety and Aspen Skiing Company Management. A final written report was supplied to Aspen Skiing Company one week later.
The Aspen Skiing Company was very proactive in contracting this Program Review. Their Snow Safety Programs were very strong to begin with. Still, this review allowed them to get an outside perspective with a good understanding of what makes up the sometimes vaguely defined “industry standard.” DHA brought many perspectives to the table for the review. Dave has been in the avalanche industry for over 40 years and has observed Snow Safety Teams at work all over the world. He knows the importance of systems and documentation but also the limitations of onerous and redundant procedures. Onno’s career as Snow Safety Director and General Manager at Alta gives him much insight into what can work at large ski areas and what may not. His ability to listen to long explanations and pick out one or two key points was remarkable. Don’s work teaching professional avalanche courses across the Western US gave him a broad perspective to offer alternative methods and approaches. His time managing teams at the National Outdoor Leadership School, Valdez Heli Ski Guides, and the American Avalanche Institute gave him tools that could help with daily operations and season-long morale.
At Aspen Skiing Company, we were looking to get a deep level check in on Snow Safety processes at Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass. DHA spent time observing our processes, communication, policies and terrain. We appreciate the look from a highly qualified 3rd party to keep us honest, share industry trends, recommend upgrades, and share what we are doing well. We will use the information that Don, Onno and Dave shared in their report to better our program, and to provide a platform for communication between our 3 mountains that perform snow safety within their boundaries.