NSAA Downhill Bike Park Summit

June 7 - 9, 2016

NSAA Downhill Bike Park SummitWINDHAM MOUNTAIN RESORT, NEW YORK

Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy of Windham Bike Park

PRESENTED BY:

NOTICE: ABSOLUTELY NO RECORDING ALLOWED AT NSAA CONFERENCES!

NSAA seeks to foster an open and candid exchange of ideas between ski area personnel with its educational seminars. Accordingly, NSAA strictly prohibits any recording – including both audio and visual recording – of any of the sessions, meetings, speakers or individual attendees at NSAA meetings and conferences, notwithstanding local or state laws. It is also NSAA policy that individuals may not attend any session or meeting without being registered for the conference. NSAA meetings and conferences are not public forums. As noted in registration materials, NSAA will seek civil and criminal penalties, as well as damages and attorney’s fees, if a person violates this policy. By registering for any NSAA event, you hereby agree to be bound by these policies.

Support those who support the industry.A special thanks to our generous sponsors

who provide funds to be reinvested back

into educational programs benefitting the

entire industry.

Sponsors:

ScheduleTUESDAY, JUNE 7 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Welcome Reception

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast at Ski Area 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Riding at Windham 11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Lunch Opening Remarks and Keynote Panel - Big Picture of Bike Tourism Sessions 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Extraction- Best Practices for Getting Guests Off the Hill (indoor) Trail Design for Risk Mitigation (indoor) Skills Parks - Getting Beginners into the Sport Safely (indoor) Summer Pricing – Applying What We’ve Learned from Winter 2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Break Sessions 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. All Things Lifts - What You Need to Know About Summer Lift Operations (indoor) Growing the Sport - Converting For the Long Term (indoor) Big Events - Are They Worth It? (indoor) Extraction Best Practices (on-hill) 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bike Ride Park Manager Roundtable 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Happy Hour Reception Dinner THURSDAY, JUNE 9 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast @ Windham Resort Sessions 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Event Risk Management (indoor) Bike Park Signage (indoor) Trail and Feature Maintenance (indoor) 10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Break Sessions 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Legal Update (indoor) Trail and Feature Maintenance (on-hill) The Urban Connection - Can an Urban Park Drive Mountain Visits? (indoor) 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch Keynote Panel - ROI of Bike Parks Sessions 1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m ADA and Your Summer Operations (indoor) Fleet Maintenance - Wrenching For the Season (indoor) Deep Dive into the Stevens Pass Bike Park (indoor) Incident Investigation (indoor) 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break Sessions 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Marketing Your Bike Park - What’s Selling and What’s Driving Them Away (indoor) Resort Planning - Where Does Your Bike Park Fit In? (indoor) Incident Investigation (on-hill)

For all on-hill sessions, be prepared with proper footwear and clothing. You will be riding the lift up, and walking to the designated locations for these sessions. At the conclusion of each session, you will be downloading back to the base area.

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Sessions Tuesday, June 76:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. WELCOME RECEPTIONFor those traveling in on Tuesday, we’ll be having an informal welcome reception at the Rock’n Mexicana, located at the Winwood Inn.

- Rock’n Mexicana

Sessions Wednesday, June 8

11:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. LUNCH AND KEYNOTEThe Big Picture of Bike TourismModerator - Rob Linde, Director of Business Development, RRC Associates

Chip Seamans, President and General Manager, Windham Mountain Resort, NY

Jody Ream, General Manager, Spirit Mountain Recreation Area, MN

Darco Cazin, Founder, Allegra Tourismus

Jon Schaefer, General Manager, Berkshire East Mountain Resort, MA

Drew Pollak-Bruce, Associate Planner, SE Group

- Seasons, 3rd Floor, Base Lodge

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.Extraction - Best Practices for Getting Guests off the hill (indoor)Moderator – Mark Petrozzi, Principal, AlpenRisk Safety Advisors, LLC

Howard Devenish, Ski Patrol Director, Windham Mountain Resort, NY

Josh Moreau, Patrol Director, Highland Bike Park

Michael McClure, Ski Patrol, Gore Mountain, NY

Matt Chaffin, Ski Patrol Training Supervisor, Park City Mountain Resort, UT

- The Club, 3rd floor, base lodgeNavigating the terrain at your area can be a completely different challenge in the summer than in the winter. And, when you’ve got an injured rider or hiker, getting them out becomes an even more daunting task. Join our panel of summer patrollers as they share their best practices and techniques for extracting guests from difficult places on the hill.

Trail Design for Risk MitigationModerator – Paul Mutch, Gravity Logic Inc.

Brian Finestone, Parks Manager, Whistler Blackcomb, Canada

Jay Rosenbaum, Terrain Park Manager, Killington, VT

- 3500 Club, ground floor, base lodgeTrail design takes many factors into account – the user, the desired experience, the terrain, and gravity. By considering each of these elements, it’s possible to create a thrilling experience for every level of rider, sometimes even on the same trail. While it’s not possible to eliminate every risk or control a rider’s decision making, it is possible to provide options. Our panel of risk managers and park managers will discuss how they’ve worked to educate and mitigate the risks through thoughtful trail design.

Skills Parks - Getting Beginners into the Sport SafelyModerator – Earl Saline, Director of Education Programming, NSAA

Chris Chmielewski, Highland Camps Manager, Highland Bike Park, NH

Kevin Jordan, Bike Coordinator, Aspen Snowmass, CO

Bob Holme, General Manager, Trestle Bike Park, Winter Park Resort, CO

- Children’s Learning CenterFor many riders, that first push-off after getting to the top of the lift can be an exhilarating feeling. For others, it can be down-right terrifying. As more people come to experience downhill biking, it’s becoming more important to provide ways for them to learn and build their skills in welcoming, non-threatening environments. Especially, if we want them to come back. Skills parks are growing in popularity with areas that have embraced beginning riders. Our small panel of park and bike school managers will discuss how they have developed and are using these progression zones to ease new riders into the sport.

Summer Pricing – Applying What We’ve Learned from Winter Evan Reece, CEO, Liftopia

- SeasonsAs the summer business becomes ever more important to ski areas, there are many lessons that have been learned over the years from successful winter operations. Among these is the concept of dynamic pricing and increasing the availability of tickets through many different channels. Join Evan Reese, CEO of Liftopia, as he discusses the strategies that can drive your summer revenues even higher.

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3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.All Things Lifts - What You Need to Know About Summer Lift Operations

Moderator - Mark Petrozzi, Principal, AlpenRisk Safety Advisors, LLC

Ted Davis, Director of Mountain Operations, Windham Mountain Resort, NY

Kelly Deason, Owner, Deasonbuilt Manufacturing

Jason Perl, Lift Services Manager, Mount Snow, VT

Ross Stevens, PE, Owner, Stevens Engineering

- The ClubWhether you are considering getting into summer operations or are already a going concern, you will want to attend this session. Our panel of lift-related experts will discuss the ins and outs of operating a lift in the summer. From making sure the lift itself meets state and ANSI B.77.1 regulations to carrier engineering; from your operations plan to staff training and evacuation; there are myri-ad of specifics that you and your team need to know and prepare for. This session will outline a checklist as you prepare for summer operations and dial in your operating and risk management plans.

Growing the Sport - Converting For the Long TermModerator – Earl Saline, Director of Education Programming, NSAA

Mark Hayes, President, Highland Bike Park, NH

Kevin Jordan, Bike Coordinator, Aspen Snowmass, CO

Paul Mutch, Gravity Logic Inc.

Rob Linde, Director of Business Development, RRC Associates

- Children’s Learning CenterGreat trail design, cool features, and a variety of trails are essential to a high quality bike park. But what are you doing to convert those new riders into committed downhill bikers? Some areas have dedicated skills parks. Some have a designed progression of trails to gradually increase the challenge. And others have a complete package with coaching, skill building trails, and a marketing program that attracts and then brings back these important customers. Join our panel of bike park operators as they share their secrets to conversion.

Big Events - Are They Worth It? Moderator – Dave Byrd, Director of Risk and Regulatory Affairs, NSAA

Chip Seamans, President & GM, Windham Mountain Resort, NY


- SeasonsJoin Chip Seamans, President and General Manager of our host area, Windham Mountain, and Bob Holme, General Manager of Trestle Bike Park as they discuss whether large events are really worth it for their areas. There is a long-standing relationship between the UCI World Cup and Windham, and Winter Park and Trestle have hosted the CO Freeride Festival for several years now. Not just another ski area event, these events bring the attention of the world to your area and require enormous effort on the part of each area. Hear the good, the bad, and the reasons why these areas keep hosting the best in the world.

Extraction Best Practices (On-hill session)This on-hill session will provide a practical discussion and first-hand look at the best practices for getting guests off the hill.

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Park Manager Roundtable

Agenda

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Sessions Thursday, June 99:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.Trail and Feature Maintenance

Moderator - Tom ‘Pro’ Prochazka, Gravity Logic Inc.

Marc Tremain, Manager of Bike Parks & Terrain Parks, Mountain Creek Resort, NJ

Tom Lepesqueur, COO, Highland Bike Park, NH

Jay Rosenbaum, Terrain Parks Manager, Killington Resort, VT

- The ClubYour area has invested a lot of time, energy, and resources into creating a great bike park that was pristine when it opened. Now what? Maybe the fall storms and winter snows have taken their toll on the trails and features. And, that smooth, groomed trail experience isn’t so smooth anymore. Our panel of park builders and managers will discuss their maintenance programs and share their strategies for keeping their parks in shape, from top to bottom.

Event Risk ManagementModerator - Mike Greear, Director, Risk Control Services, AON Risk Solutions, Inc.

Dave Byrd, Director of Risk and Regulatory Affairs, NSAA

Dylan West, Assistant Vice President, MountainGuard


Ted Davis, Director of Mountain Operations, Windham Mountain Resort, NY

- 3500 ClubEvents can draw big crowds and big name athletes. With the great exposure an event can provide also comes great responsibility. Keeping the competitors and spectators safe is one of the funda-mental tasks of any risk manager. This session will dive into the risk management aspects of running an event, using real events from a variety of areas. Bring your questions as our panelists share their examples and experiences from events small and large.

Bike Park Signage

Moderator - Earl Saline, Director of Education Programming, NSAA

Mark Petrozzi, Principal, AlpenRisk Safety Advisors, LLC



- SeasonsFor years, areas have improvised and developed their bike trail signage according to what’s made sense and worked for their riders. As bike parks have grown in popularity, the importance of consistency in signage from one area to another is increasing. From the use of the winter trail markers such as green circles, blue squares, and black diamonds, to the use of the orange freestyle pill, trail signage is becoming more similar than different to what skiers and riders see every day on the hill. This moderated discussion is your chance to share your thoughts on trail signage and hear what other areas are using. Suggestions from this session will be used to develop and propose a summer trail signage program for the industry.

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Legal Update Steve Zweig, Partner, Cheroutes ZweigDave Byrd, Director of Risk and Regulatory Affairs, NSAA

- SeasonsSummer operations, including bike parks, provide plenty of opportunity for incidents of all types. Join NSAA Special Counsel Thomas Aicher and Steve Zweig of Cheroutes Zweig as they discuss current cases and recent decisions. This session is a must for all senior leaders, risk managers, and park managers. Understanding these incidents will help you evaluate your operations and identify areas that you’ll want to pay particular attention to.

The Urban Connection - Can an Urban Park Drive Mountain Visits?Moderator - Rob Linde, Director of Business Development, RRC Associates


Christopher Trombley, Executive Director, Brooklyn Bike Park, NY

- The ClubThe growth of downhill and “free-ride” biking is extending beyond ski areas into urban communities and suburban settings. From Boulder’s Valmont Bike Park to Trestle Bike Park’s expansion into Denver’s Ruby Hill, these urban bike parks are providing a gateway to the full downhill experience. But are these parks bringing more visits to the mountain’s gravity trails? Join our panel of park operators as they discuss the impact and potential for urban parks.

Trail and Feature Maintenance (On-hill session)From theory to practical, get an up close and personal look at the techniques and tools used to maintain a variety of trails and features at Windham.

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.LUNCH AND KEYNOTEROI of Bike Parks

Moderator - Bob Holme, General Manager, Trestle Bike Park, Winter Park Resort, CO


Jon Schaefer, General Manager, Berkshire East Mountain Resort, MA

Chip Seamans, President & General Manager, Windham Mountain Resort, NY

Mike Solimano, President & General Manager, Killington Resort & Pico Mountain, VT

- Seasons

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1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

SESSIONS

ADA and Your Summer Operations

Janet Zeller, National Accessibility Program Manager, USFS

Kim Seevers, Operations Manager, Adaptive Sports Foundation, NY

Geoff Krill, Executive Director, Eastern Adaptive Sports, NH

Dave Byrd, Director of Risk and Regulatory Affairs, NSAA

- SeasonsAs bike operations continue to expand and summer operations become more popular with all guests, areas need to pay attention to the details. Those details include maintaining accessibility for disabled guests and following the American’s with Disabilities Act guidelines. Our panel of ADA experts, including Janet Zeller, USFS National Accessibility Program Manager, will help you understand the ins and outs of the ADA and Essential Eligibility Requirements so you can provide the best experience possible for all of your guests.

Fleet Maintenance – Wrenching For the SeasonPaul Mutch, Gravity Logic Inc.

- The ClubRunning a bike rental operation requires much more than simply putting a bike together and adjusting a seat post. Before you ever open, your mechanics need the training and time to prep your fleet. And during the season, they need a sharp eye and considered plan for the regular maintenance and repair of the fleet. Join Paul Mutch, rental guru and Gravity Logic pioneer, as he discusses proven maintenance strategies to keep your fleet, and staff, in good working order.

Deep Dive into the Stevens Pass Bike ParkRyan Forbes, Mountain Manager, Stevens Pass, WA

Ted Everson, Summer Operations Manager, Stevens Pass, WA

- Children’s Learning CenterStevens Pass has developed a bike park through hard work and a tremendous grassroots effort. Not relying solely on capital from the resort operations, a core group of committed bikers and believers put together the business plan and started pounding the pavement to raise the rest of the nec-essary capital through crowd-funding. Ryan Forbes, Stevens Pass Mountain Manager, and Ted Everson, Summer Operations Manager, will share how they brought together the different stakeholders and communities to build one of the best parks in the Northwest.

Incident InvestigationTim Bruce, Loss Control, Safehold Special Risk

Mark Petrozzi, Principal, AlpenRisk Safety Advisors, LLC

- 3500 ClubIncident investigation requires a keen, curious mind and thoughtful approach. While summer investigations utilize many of the same processes and procedures that are used in winter investigations, at the same time there are nuances that must be addressed during bike investigations that might surprise you. Join expert risk managers and incident investigators Tim Bruce and Mark Petrozzi as they discuss the specifics of a bike incident investigation to help you ensure your investigations are as complete as possible.

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.Marketing your Bike Park - What’s Selling and What’s Driving Them Away

Moderator - Hugh Reynolds, VP Marketing & Sales, Snow Operating


Rob Megnin, Director Sales, Marketing, Reservations and Snowsports, Killington Resort & Pico Mountain, VT

Kara Chase, Marketing Manager, Mountain Creek Resort, NJ

- The ClubThe image of downhill biking is that it’s a gnarly, dirty, sweaty, and sometimes bloody sport. Even the Stormtrooper-like look of a rider in full gear can be intimidating. So how do we attract new riders – the moms, dads, and kids that are curious about downhill without scaring them away? Our panel of marketers will discuss the strategies that have proven successful (and some that haven’t) in bringing new riders to the park for the first time. And the second time…

Resort Planning - Where Does Your Bike Park Fit In?

Adam Portz, ASLA, PLA, Senior Associate, Landscape Architect, SE Group

- 3500 ClubDeveloping a multi-season master plan and long-term implemen-tation strategy requires big-picture thinking and commitment to the process. Combined, an understanding your marketplace, brand, existing operations and site conditions translates into a customized “menu” of activities, programs and events for your resort. How does mountain biking become an integral piece of that larger puzzle? SE Group’s Adam Portz will use current case studies to illustrate this strategic process, and discuss the ins and outs of developing a multi-season plan that includes a bike park.

Incident Investigation (On-hill session)Experience and practice an incident investigation first hand as we take a close look at the steps and techniques involved with on-hill investigations using the Windham Bike Park as our laboratory.

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NSAA Downhill Bike Park Summit

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Transcript of NSAA Downhill Bike Park Summit