Saturday Feb 3. Sorting Day

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February 2, 2024 1 PM

Please read. This is regarding this weekend, February 3^rd and 4^th. Sorting Day on Saturday. Closed Sunday for a storm. No Buses. See the instructions below.

The state of the State. Sky Tavern got 6 inches of snow this week after losing much more than that earlier in the week. 65 degrees does not a ski area make. We have about 40% of the runs usable.

Week 1 is still on hold waiting for this next storm. The six inches Thursday helps but not enough to open for everyone and with Sunday being projected to be a real storm, WEEK 1 has to wait, yes again.  Read below, we are going to do something with the returning upper-level kids on limited terrain. No buses this week. Your tickets are still good until we get this going for real as Week 1. It will be soon with these storms.

The good news is that it snowed, not a lot yet but it really looks like that is going to continue until the middle of next week. The heaviest dump comes starting at noon on Sunday. Bryan at OpenSnow is saying 24 to 31 inches here by Tuesday. We are fueling up the snowcats, canceling all of the grooming department’s days off to push this around and build an entire ski area. Bryan is the best and doesn’t miss many forecasts. The real Sky Tavern season should begin after this snowfall Sunday through Wednesday.

Sorting Day, Saturday, only.

A limited opening for Level 4 and above skiers and snowboarders. Only open for Skiers and Snowboarders Level 4 and above. No beginners, no SkyKids (4 and 5-year-olds), no Adaptive program. No buses.

The snowsports school has been kicking an idea around for a few years and we never had the timing right to pull it off. SORTING DAY. This is not a requirement it is just a chance for returning or upper-level kids to get their legs working and to start the real season next week in the right level.

Much like the Sorting Day in Harry Potter, Sky Tavern would like to put the upper-level kids into the proper class. We tried this year’s past on Week 1 with some issues. Kids were being judged on their first run of the year, and then getting bumped back a level or two. Lots of teary eyes. Let’s rethink this.

This Saturday, February 3^rd, upper-level sorting day. All applies to skiing or snowboarding. No buses. Not a required day. Staying home is OK.

The rules, idea, plan.

1.     Upper-Level Kids only. That means you were Level 4 or higher last season and you rode the chairlift. You skied the 4 Hill or back trial comfortably, repeatably. (The 4 Hill is equal to Kit Carson at Mt.Rose)

2.     The only lift open will be Sky Ridge, the chairlift to the top.

3.     The only runs open will be the 4 Hill (Keston) and the Back Trail (Herz Trail). There is not a lot of snow out there. Stay out of the trees!

4.     We will not be organizing into classes right away. This is one of the very few days you can come up a little later, take your time getting ready.

5.     The lift will start at 9. Upper-level kids can load and ski a few runs as a warmup and to remember how this sport works. Blow out the cobwebs so to speak.

6.     Around 11 and continuing for a few hours, the instructors will start grouping kids to test at the top. Kids ski or ride with an instructor to see what level they should start Week 1 at. A kid that was a 5 last season may be a 6 this year because they got stronger or a 4 because they grew and haven’t quite got the hang of being a foot taller yet. Both situations happen.

7.     NO SkyKids. No beginners. No lower than Level 4s. Please. SkyBridge is to be here. See Eaton's email.

8.     If you cannot be here with your Level 4 or greater kid, it is no big deal. Much like Dryland for kids that had never been on snow, this is NOT a requirement. It just gives some kids a little extra chance to succeed.

This should give kids a better chance at starting where their ability actually is. This should also make Week 1 less hectic since at least some of the kids that need to be moved will already be set.

I know there are some returning kids that are left out of this day and process. Level 3s as an example. Sorry, we have no answer. Next season when they are Level 5 they get to do this.

This is NOT Week 1. NO buses and we need Certified Instructors and Support Members that have returning upper-level kids. We need to run parking, one lift and the kitchen.

This is a new idea. Help make it work, please.

Week 1 is coming soon with the new snow!

Passes. Everyone needs passes.

We are checking passes on everyone. To get on the lift you must have a pass. It is amazing how many try to get on that are not registered or try to use last year’s. Being registered means you belong here. If you don’t have a pass, you should be asked by every member why you don’t. We deal with the most precious thing in the world, kids. We want them safe. That is every member’s responsibility.  We need to know that everyone is a member. That everyone is registered and belongs. We all get to know each other this way too.

We are also teaching kids something other than snowsports. They need to be responsible and follow the policies in place. Also, that no one is entitled. The caste system of position in life died a long time ago in the West. A good number of the Freestyle Team were herded all at once by the Risk Manager during practice. All their passes were safe at home. Off to the front desk with the lot of them looking like ducklings following Tom.

If you do not have a pass, please go to the front desk. They can issue temp tickets if your pass is still at home or in the mail or guest passes if say you are the grandparent who had to substitute for a sick parent. We want to keep it a pretty tightly run ship here. Adults, be an example and wear your pass. Question those who do not and especially those who do not look like they belong. They are most likely harmless, lost tourists. Explain what Sky Tavern is. Be nice but send them up to Rose for day tickets.  Some will join next year. Happens all the time.