I've read this forum for awhile now and thought this would be a good time to introduce myself, share a bit of my own thoughts, and to commend you on putting this all out there....er, even if some of the posts are simply wrong or untrue. I have worked for ski lifts inc. for about fourteen years starting off back in the day when the cross-country operation was settled at the Fir, when things were seemingly more simplified under family ownership and when a hamburger didn't cost over nine dollars. Today I continue on as part of the management team of the Summit. Some of you on this forum may know me, some may not; I don't believe I have any enemies of those who KNOW me, yet I can't help but take certain posts on this forum personally because of my role.
I am a passionate skier and began making turns on the pass when I was three years old. I made the trip nearly every weekend, winter after winter, grade school through high school to be here. When I moved from Tacoma to Ellensburg to attend college I started working pt for the area to pay for my skiing. When I finished up school I headed to the mountain full time. I was aware then, as now, that career riches were not to be had but I took the trade of mountain living with endless skiing and have been here ever since. To anyone who has worked in the industry you know it is for the love of something other than money--sometimes the work is downright thankless, but sometimes there is nothing more rewarding. I hold my own views about corporate ownership within the ski industry (heck in all industry for that matter), but the bottom line is that the money has to come from somewhere to improve infrastructure and we all know it wasn't exactly pouring back in before the corporatacracy hit our mountain. I will be the first to admit that things sometimes move slow to change, too slow, but you can't always blame the big bad wealth that holds the deed (or the management lease), sometimes it comes down to the complex relationships of running a business on public lands and sometimes you just have to blame the weather (if you don't think the poor snow years have hurt think again) of course it is easiest to blame the guys at the local level who have to try running the place on peanuts.
After managing various departments and operations for the Summit over the years I returned to managing the cross-country operations along with Summit East (which I will always know as Hyak) two seasons ago. Working with a tattered budget left over from the 04-05 season, a lodge in need of major renovations and upgrades, and a fickle balance between Hyak enthusiasts and a very vocal and a sometimes un-neccesarily cynical Nordic community - I too share many of the passionate senitments posted on this site; however I won't get discouraged and I'm certainly not about to give up.
Despite the ski area not owning much of the base area, I know that improvements ARE coming to Hyak in the near future. I look forward to the day when the community and the ski area make realizations TOGETHER of what the area is and can be. I would like to extend an open invitation to anyone who has direct questions about the ski area's intentions with Hyak to ask me directly--if I don't know the answers I will find out for you.
In terms of the staffs at Hyak that have worked the lodge and the lifts for the past couple years; I was sad to see Ward go last season, he was an icon and a friend and in the lodge I am proud to say John has done only good things for the Nordic center keeping things together. The crew has been skeleton, but then again the business has been a difficult one to justify at times, but I believe that trend is changing. The shoulder seasons and off-season maintenance have been slow to reestablish, but even that is coming along too (mowing with the aebi and spider isn't cheap). I mowed myself a bit preseason last year and I will be at it again shortly in the next few weeks.
A note for this season: YES the area is again only running the lifts on Saturdays and Sundays, though the Nordic operation inside the lodge will run Fridays....makes no sense to me either why the chairs don't turn that one extra day; perhaps together we can change that. In terms of the upgrades to the lodge, the bar, etc...I personally am very excited by the opportunites for infused capital from CNL -It seems if you do your homework Boyne has the capacity to get the money they need from CNL and improvements seem imminent, just be patient.
I've said my peace, please be kind. Again, I invite questions, comments, concerns, suggestions and er, donations? I hope to see some of you around the base area this winter, but honestly it would be way more fun to make some turns with you. prybka
I remember you from my time up there as an ambassador. Peter is one of the good guys.
I suspect even when people (myself included) spout about ownership changes and all, we actually aren't blaming people as much as just venting frustration. At least that is true for me.
I know all about thankless jobs, on the mountain and off. So I try to go out of my way to say thanks to people often don't hear words of appreciation. Thank you Peter for all you do for the mountain, for skiers and snowboarders, and for hanging in there... and I hope the Mountain Life still brings more joy than frustration.
My current racing/coaching obligations will have me at Hyak much less than I was just a few years ago. But I am STILL VERY interested in Hyak's future.
Yes, the Moffet Family weren't perfect owners either. But you have to admire their ability to not only survive in this (very tough) local ski market, but grow.
Welcome to the party Peter.
If you read things that are flat out wrong or could use clafification from your viewpoint let us know.
Re: Fridays - When the nordic center is open on Friday, are the lifts turning?
If they are, what's missing that keeps us downsliders from using it?
Re Hyak and running an extra day - I personally would love to be riding the lifts there on Mondays.
Hmmm - since Alpental is closed on Mondays it might be interesting to try a "Southern Three Monday" operation just to see what happens.
There's a population of folks (esp in retail) who work Sat/Sun and have Monday's off that might take advantage of such an opportunity.
Welcome to the site Peter! I would hope you don't take any of the discussion here personal as most of us just voice opinions, and of course our personal wish list of what we would like to see (or not see).
Yea, that is one huge bummer that they have the lodge and area open for nordic, but don't run the Keechelus lift. I've never understood the mindset that Booth either runs both lifts, or no lifts at Hyak??? I wouldn't even care if there was no grooming on Friday's.... As Tom said, Monday's would also be cool!
As far as immediate improvements needed, the area in front of he lodge needs some water melt management. They also need to check for passes during the season because as it has been run the last few years, anyone can jump on the lifts w/o a pass. I've been buying a season pass for many years but I have only been checked 1 time the past 3 years. At any of the other Summit areas I'm checked almost every time (maybe not so much at Silverfir), but it would be nice to know that I bought my pass for a reason if they could have someone check passes, and maybe manage the lines a bit during the busy times when it becomes a big blob of riders(no lines).
Hyak would also make a very nice mtn bike center if the HSQ is ever built. It has a much better atmosphere then Silverfir or Central and it is the lowest point for the forest service roads (no up-hill return ride). People could also access the Iron Horse Trail with mtn bikes from Hyak!
Hyak Ski and Snowboard Adventure
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Do you think they won't run the lift on Fridays because then they could no longer boast "untouched powder for the weekend", and think they might lose customers? (Although then again, it's hard to see them worrying about customers when they aren't even checking tickets.) I don't know.
Welcome to the forum here, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with Hyak in the coming seasons. (In the short term, even your news of brush-cutting is great to hear!)
I think TomK already wrote it, but if you ever come across something that's just not correct, please point it out to us, and we will all be the wiser.
I worked on the mountain my first season (at Alpy) last season and can empathize with how thankless many of the on-hill jobs are. We really appreciate all you do in keeping Hyak fit for skiing and riding.
I agree with everyone so far I don't think the rants and raves have been personal but more out of knowing what HYAK had to offer and seeing it treated as an ugly cousin over the years> I remember actually have to wait in line to get into the bar at times....now we have to hold bonfires outside of the condos to get a crowd...I started at HYAK in '81 and heard then about the improvements....I hate to be a cynic but fear that I will never see, lights, new lift at HYAK again in my lifetime. There is still a lot of property that can be developed at Hyak...a whole new skier/rider base could be brought to the area...someone has to go first...either the area or the property owners.
No matter I still love Hyak, I have heli-boarded, ridden all over the USA and I still enjoy my rides at Hyak...ripping down Blowdown, diving into central park knowing at 11a I can still find a little fresh, even making that hike to get the chutes on dinasaur..it is all good! For the soul riders and skiers who have done their time at Hyak...the place has a hold on them.
My only true bitch about the mountain..is the ski racer program...when I want to run the face with my kids and we get funnelled into a tiny little chute above the cutback...well that chafes my backside!~
Here's to a great season...my 26th on the hills at Hyak...22nd as a shredder...stop by the bonfire's at suncrest and introduce yourself.
