TOP FIVE FRIDAYS: APRIL 3, 2020
#1: Skiers Take Action, Part 1 - Goggles for Docs:
Well, another week in a currently-Corona’d world means we have the undesirable duty of bringing you a third consecutive Top 5 Friday filled with viral content. That’s the bad news. The good news is, this week we’ve perceived a change in the mentality of the winter community as skiers and riders have come to grips with their season being shut down, including uphill travel in many places. As a result, the industry on the whole has shifted from attempting to make sense of the closures, cancellations, and general fallout, to a “how can we help?” mindset. This week, we at least have the pleasure of sharing multiple stories that highlight the ski community using their resources for the greater good.
First on that list, is an incredible organization that we’ve thrown our full weight behind this week called Goggles for Docs. Started by two doctors living and working in New York City, the idea for the organization came about when co-creator Mike Halperin saw a growing shortage of protective gear in his hospital. Thinking ski goggles might be a reasonable way to protect the eyes of medical personnel, he reached out to his aunt and uncle in Steamboat Springs who not only offered to send some of their old goggles, but reached out to their community who was eager to share as well. From there, the idea has taken off as skiers and ski shops have rallied to the cause en masse. At SkiEssentials, we’ve sent over 150 pairs of brand new Scott goggles, as well as dozens upon dozens of donated goggles from the Stowe community. If you’re someone who’s eager to help the fight against Covid-19, or to help the doctors and nurses on the frontlines, this is a great low-cost, low-effort way to do it. To learn more, give our interview with Mike Halperin a read or head directly to their website at https://gogglesfordocs.com.
#2: Skiers Take Action, Part 2:
A screengrab of the Maker Exchange website, where users can ask for or offer assistance in dealing with the Coronavirus. The site was created by ski industry veteran Jason Levinthal and snowboarder/graphic designer Jake Caggige. Image: MakerExchange.org
Keeping with the theme of skiers and snowboarders rallying to the cause, we also caught an article from Fox News this week that highlights a number of different ski and snowboard brands and industry leaders who’ve jumped into the fight against Coronavirus. In Michigan, boutique custom ski brand Shaggy’s Skis has shifted operations to focus on creating face shields for medical workers. Further to the West, Silverton Colorado’s Venture Snowboards has made a similar shift in operations as they’ve also realized that the equipment they use to make snowboards can be easily repurposed to make face shields.
Perhaps the most powerful platform created by skiers and snowboarders in the fight against Coronavirus, is MakerExchange.org. Created by ski industry veteran Jason Levinthal (Jskis, 4FRNT, Full Tilt, Founder of Line Skis, etc.), and Burlington, VT based snowboarder/creative designer Jake Caggige, Maker Exchange is a platform created to efficiently connect those looking to help, with those in need of help. On the website, users can either post a call for assistance where those in need of supplies can post a formal request, or they can browse listings to find opportunities to help. For example, as someone with a secret stash of sewing skills, I personally found a listing within minutes for a local theater company that’s passing out ready-to-sew medical mask kits as they attempt to provide the University of Vermont Medical Center with 20,000 PPE masks. As someone who’s been interested in sewing masks but unsure of what materials would be best to use, finding this listing is a game changer and will enable me to join the effort immediately. If you’re someone looking to put your skills to work, check out www.makerexchange.org. If you don’t see any listings in your area (the site, much like this unprecedented time, is brand new), we encourage you to share the website so it can become filled with listings in all regions. To learn more about the winter sports industry’s efforts to fight Covid, check out this article from Fox News.
#3: Vail News: Furloughs, Layoffs, Delayed Payments, and a Massive Contribution:
Image: Vail Resorts on Facebook
Third up this week is a bit of a split highlight, featuring two sides of the same coin as the Coronavirus pertains to Vail. First, the bad news: Vail announced this week a number of cost-cutting strategies that’ll last for months in an effort to reduce expenses while business operations are halted. Those reductions take many forms. For hourly employees, the news is the worst as they’ve been furloughed for at least 1-2 months without pay. While that’s obviously devastating for many, the “furlough” distinction is crucial as it means they’ll at least maintain benefits such as health insurance for the duration of their unemployment. Additionally, all salaried employees will be taking a reduction, ranging from 5% - 25% depending on how high up the corporate ladder they are, with the most senior executives receiving the largest pay cuts. For Rob Katz’s part, he’s elected to give up 100% of his salary for 6 months. Beyond employees, Vail shareholders and Board of Director members are also losing out on income as Directors will receive no cash compensation for 6 months, and shareholder dividends will be withheld for both June and September payouts. Finally, Vail also announced that it would be reducing its planned capital expenditures by $80-$85 million. In essence, that means they’re postponing all planned developments such as new lifts, terrain expansions, and remodeling projects. This last note will likely have the largest ripple effect as countless businesses will be impacted by Vail’s decision to cancel or delay work contracts.
That’s the bad news. The one bit of good news coming out of Vail this week is that CEO Rob Katz has personally pledged $2.5 million towards relief efforts. Of that $2.5 million, $1.5 million is earmarked for relief and critical services in the communities and counties surrounding Vail. The remaining $1 million will be used to start a new fund called the Epic Promise Employee Foundation. That cash reserve will be used to support workers during medical crises and other financial setbacks. While many have and continue to voice displeasure for Vail’s role in consolidating the ski industry, it would be hard to argue against the philanthropic nature of Rob Katz. After all, this isn’t the first time he’s made substantial monetary donations to ski communities. To learn more about this latest donation, check out this writeup from Summit Daily.
#4: "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" - Second Homes Edition:
Killington Resort, where tensions and uncertainty are on the rise as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. Image: Killington Resort on Facebook
Finally, we end this week with the third installment of our unexpected saga, “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” This time around, it’s second home edition. As you’re likely aware, the rise of Covid-19 has had a direct correlation to a rise in tension between mountain town locals and those who own second homes in mountain regions. While these two demographics usually get along quite amicably as wealthy second home owners provide an essential economic boost for rural regions, outbreaks in urban areas have lead to many wanting to flee the city in favor of a more remote living situation. Conversely, those in mountain towns have been strongly voicing their distaste for that decision as they argue that their communities can’t support an influx of out of towners who could potentially be carrying the Coronavirus with them. Local mountain town residents fear that those seeking refuge in their towns will add stress to the availability of supplies and, if they do bring the Coronavirus with them, it could result in an outbreak that would put far too much stress on their modest medical resources. The dynamic is a difficult one, to be sure. When the world isn’t under siege by an invisible assailant, the two groups exist in nearly perfect harmony. However, when it is, it makes for a sticky situation that not even local leaders have clear answers to. While this dynamic is playing out across North America as well as the entire world, this article from VPR gives a closer look at some of the nuances of the situation here in Vermont.
Before we close things out for the week, we’re also going to take a quick moment to touch on the topic of touring as it’s continued to be a contentious issue within the ski world. As we’ve mentioned, and you’ve certainly heard numerous times already, this is an unprecedented, fluid situation which means advice is constantly subject to change. As we all get deeper into this social distancing phase, we’re finding more and more ski areas are deciding to close their terrain to uphill skiing. Whether due to crowding in the parking lots, unsafe backcountry conditions, or the unspoken incentive encouraging people to travel from the cities to the mountains, ski resorts are deciding that allowing uphill skiing simply isn’t worth the risk. While we’re not here to provide blanket statement guidance for our readers who are scattered across the world, we do want to remind you all that you should absolutely be checking in with your local ski resorts, avalanche conditions, and community travel restrictions before heading out for a day of uphilling. That’s not to say nobody should go touring right now, but please, for the love of everything, follow the rules and guidelines in place in your area. Nobody is happy that the mountains are closed, we promise you.