4-4-11 Spring Interning at Loon Mountain, My First Days
Hello everyone! I am Katie, the new Marketing Intern for the spring 2011 season. Some of you may know me from my pervious position at Loon Mountain, working the Gondola. I am in my fifth year of employment at Loon Mountain and the change of departments has been very exciting and has opened my awareness to more of the mountain happenings. My pervious job I got to interact with the guests more and know how special the mountain was to them. Having that information has been a huge benefit while working in the marketing department. The new atmosphere of the marketing department has made it easy to work and learn from my new mentors: Jordan, Katelyn and Gus. Having three mentors that do different jobs in the marketing process is more than I could have asked for. I get to do three different internships in one. My journey so far has been fun, beneficial and had some crazy moments.
The start of my internship felt like it was taking forever. As I watched the days fly by, I couldn’t help but get antsy to start. Finally, one day while I was working the gondola, the big man, Jordan Yanni the Event Coordinator for Loon, came up to me and asked if I could start tonight helping him set up for the On Snow Demo. Having no idea what I was getting myself into, I happily agreed and finished my day at the gondola before heading over to the Governor’s side to assist Jordan.
Working at Loon for five years, I knew Jordan before beginning to work for him. He knew I was familiar with most of the employees and threw me right into the action. This was the first time the On Snow Demo was at Loon Mountain. The On Snow Demo was a demo in which shops from around New England could come and preview all the new products for next year. This is a huge event and most brands were present for it. That being said, soft snow and the threat of rain made for a crazy set up. After about two hours of running around I was finally sent home. Working this night showed me how important it is to have a structured plan and a back up plan for when things or people get out of whack.
The first real day of my internship, I came in to help Jordan with the On Snow Demo. Apparently Jordan thought I could handle things right from the start because we went out to shoot the daily video, where I would watch, and he decided to fall and break his collar bone. After bringing him to First Aid, I was paired up with Gus and did my first video. After about 13 takes I finally “nailed it” and we went back to edit. If you’ve been keeping up with the Loon Mountain video snacks at Loonmtn.com you can clearly see my progression. After a while, Jordan showed back up in the office with an x-ray and an order to go home, of course he didn’t. That night was going to be the first registration I got to experience. It was called A Hard Day’s Night and it was an invitational only freestyle event for both snowboarders and skiers. With Jordan in extreme pain and a sling, Andrew and I got to run registration. Registration went smoothly. After registration, I got to run up the pipe with the judging lists and more release of liabilities for everyone that was on the course. The snowboard event was first and went off with a smash. When it was time for the skiers to go, the lights were necessary, however they kept overheating and leaving the course dark in many places. They still had a great time. After awards were given, we went and cleaned up and everyone including myself enjoyed the Red Bull Apres Party in the Bunyan Room.
The next couple of days, I got to get more acquainted with the “tower staff”. Inside the office are not only Jordan, Katelyn, and Gus but also Bart, Kathy and the terrain park staff. Working with the terrain park isn’t bad because most of them I am good friends with, and they’re not in the office that much. Kathy and Bart are a blast and they’ve been here for a while and have the best stories to share.
By Katie Maltais
Marketing & Events Intern
Terrain Park Update 3/25/11
3.18.11
Last Call was sick…snowy but sick! Big ups to Merrick Joyce and Michaela Aaronson this seasons winners! Come shred conditions are great right now. 2 Plank To The Bank is this Sunday, should be good!
3.10.11
The bottom section of the main park will be closed for the next week. Last Call build starts Saturday and Last Call is Wednesday. Two Plank To The Bank is next Sunday.
3.7.11
Sorry for the lack of updates. It was long two weeks here full of action. Soft snow means great park riding. Come ride while the snow is GOOD. Last Call is next week.
2.25.11
Fluorescent nights for two more night. Night POW turns. Don’t forget to come check out the Hard Days Night wallride event next Tuesday Night.
Ski and Snowboard Quick Tips: Mastering the Bumps
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent survey, asking Loon skiers and snowboarders your biggest barriers to improving your on-hill moves. Based on your feedback, we’re launching a new series with quick ski and snowboard tips to address your biggest challenges to improvement, and we’re starting with the most-requested topic – mastering bump skiing.
The bumps are really starting to build, and Loon Mountain has some of the best mogul skiing among New Hampshire ski resorts. Skiing moguls can add a new dimension (bumpy one, that is) to your day on the slopes. Try these quick tips that will introduce you the techniques needed to master the bumps.
First, find a mogul field or other terrain features to play on. Here at Loon, you can usually find mogul fields on Flume, Rumrunner and Rolling Bear. For first timers, I suggest either the bottom portion of the bumps on Flume or Rumrunner. Both trails have escape routes back to the groomed terrain.
The main focus here is to introduce you to the variable surface while you remain balanced over your feet. Ski over an isolated mogul and practice absorbing the terrain by allowing your ankles, knees, hips, and spine to flex as you ride over the top of the bump. As you continue to the back side of the bump, extend your legs to keep your skis on the ground. Imagine a slinky going down stairs. The slinky will get longer as it goes down to the next step, shorter when it lands.
Traverse the mogul field and, as you go over each bump, absorb (flex) as you go over the top, and lengthen (extend) on the back side of each bump. Turn around and traverse in the other direction.
The next time through, stall out on top of the last mogul (you should be completely flexed), pivot your skis in the new direction, and extend your legs once again on the back side. Congratulations! You have made your first turn in the moguls. Gradually shorten your traverse until you are turning on every bump.
This is just the beginning! There are as many ways to ski the moguls as there are mogul fields. Bump it up with any number of Loon Mountain’s qualified snowsports instructors in either a private ski lesson or in one of our bumps workshops.
See you on the slopes!
Lauren O’Reilly
Technical Director
Loon Mountain Snowsports
2.20.11 Just another day at the office
It’s 5am – the alarm goes off. This time, my trusty four legged companion and I actually slept UNTIL the alarm sounded. I have come to despise that sound, but we both jump up and head out for our morning walk before getting ready for the day. Today was gearing up to be a busy one – Mother Nature seemed to tune down the winds and turn up the heat a bit, so I spent the 20 minute walk thinking of what may be in store for me. I’m not much of a, “fly by the seat of my pants” type of girl, but when it’s busy, I just thrive on it.
We had approximately 250 kids from the UK and Ireland at Loon today on school trips. Adam does a phenomenal job juggling transportation schedules/rentals/lessons and LUNCH. It’s an art, really and he’s Picasso when it comes to that. We had a ski fit (rental fitting) for 50 kids around 11am this morning, so we spent the earlier hours getting the kids off the bus and off to their lessons on time, and I printed tickets for the upcoming international schools for the week. After the tickets were printed and the kids were off to their lessons, we headed to the ski fit. The tour operators send us all of their rental information ahead of time, so everything is set up and ready to go. Meg White and her incredible rental staff do a great job getting everything dialed in, and we had 50 kids all fitted and ready for their lessons in approximately 20 minutes. Remarkable.
After all the kids were on the snow and ready to go, I made a b-line to the cafeteria, grabbed an apron, and had a quick download with Marcy and Jackie on what needed to be done. The salads were moving off the shelves like the new Verizon iPhone. Unlike the iPhone, however, they are made fresh daily – like many of the offerings in the Governors Lodge. The first task was to replenish the salads and restock the shelves. Andrew and Jackie were actively making veggie and tuna wraps, and then I jumped in to make some roast beef wraps. I’m not well, skilled in the art of, “wrapping”, so it took a few tries and quite a few laughs before the end product was presentable, but I grasped the concept before I ruined too many wraps. After that was completed, it was onto pudding cups. I don’t know what it is about them, but I have job-shared in the Governor’s Lodge for the past five straight days, and there has yet to be a day where we didn’t run out of pudding cups. (Chocolate pudding, to be specific.) I am not going to toot my own horn here, but with Jackie’s guidance, my pudding cup, presentation has become a little more up to par. 24 pudding cups later, we restocked, and before I knew it, it was 1:45pm. Time flies when you’re having fun with pudding. Next it was onto the Octagon Lodge for a wedding meeting.
Yes, Loon is one of the most incredible wedding venues in NH – sure, I’m biased, but really, it’s amazing. It’s hard to visualize the remarkable transformation of the Octagon Lodge in the midst of February vacation week, but it can be done. Amy and Jared are a newly engaged couple looking for a venue in the White Mountains. They are a great couple and it was fun getting to know them and share their enthusiasm for Loon as a prospective venue for their wedding. We talked for over an hour about what they envision for their big day and how weddings at Loon are unique from others in the area. We’re not the banquet room, cookie cutter reception venue. Our ceremonies are held at the summit of Loon Peak with a panoramic view of the White Mountains as the backdrop. Guests board the gondola and head to the summit amphitheater. They enjoy a 12 minute ride to the summit before heading down to the amphitheater built into the Big Dipper trail. It’s amazing, to say the least. Amy and Jared have been long time Loon Mountain skiers and they want to celebrate their big day in a place that’s close to their heart. They were really excited about the fire pit on the Octagon patio that would welcome their guests to the cocktail hour before heading inside the lodge for an incredible dinner and dancing – LOTS of dancing. They are looking at October of 2012, so we’re going to put a date on hold for them and start hoping for spectacular foliage and ideal weather!
Tomorrow is a new day and will be filled with new adventures. I’ll be setting my annoying alarm for the ripe hour of 4:30am so I can take my morning stroll with Molly and be on time for our 7am morning meeting. I may just be the one selling your tickets at the Governor’s Lodge ticket window; my morning job-share task. After the morning ticket rush, I will be leaving the pudding cup madness at the Governor’s Lodge for a few days and focus on channeling my job-sharing culinary skills at the Slopeside Deli. I started my job-sharing career at the deli six years ago – I love to cook, and I love the options that the deli offers beyond your typical lodge fare. Corey and I will be dishing up some Loon Mountain favorites; steak and cheese, nachos, French onion soup, Mountain Mac and Cheese, to name a few. There are too many great options, so get there early so you have time to decide what you’ll enjoy for lunch!
Until Next Time,
Abby Guinan
Sales Manager
February Vacation Week Activities
Hello!
We have a lot of fun activities planned for February Vacation Week. Here is a list of what’s going on:
- Thursday, Feb. 24 – Saturday, Feb. 26: Fluorescent Nights – The Little Sister Park will be open from 6pm-9pm. $20 even for pass holders. PEEPs Pass holders will receive a $5 discount.
- Thursday, Feb. 24: Mo the Balloon Buffon will be in the Governor’s Lodge from 1pm-4pm making balloon sculptures for the kids and entertaining our younger crowd.
- Friday, Feb. 25: Family Magic Show in the Octagon Lodge at 4:30pm free of charge. Magician will be doing strolling magic for an hour before the show from 3:15pm-4:15pm.
- Saturday, Feb. 26 – Sunday, Feb. 27: Women’s Performance Camp Weekend
- Saturday, Feb. 26: Dr. Easy in the Bunyan Room. This is a 21+ event, no cover charge. Music starts at 8:30pm.
For more information, visit www.loonmtn.com.
Superb Conditions!
Hello!
Let it snow! So far in the month of February we have recieved a total of 36 inches of snow making our total for the year 141 inches! Our conditions are in amazing shape thanks in part to the Snow Gods, grooming, and snowmaking. If you haven’t skied Loon yet this season, now is the time! Come to Loon Mountain and experience what everyone is talking about. We’ll see you on the slopes.
Katelyn Krumperman
Marketing Manager
Last Days as a Loon Mountain Intern
Final Intern Blog:
I’m so sad to say, that my time here at Loon as the Marketing Intern has come to an end. Over the past month, I have gained so much knowledge and experience from the Loon crew, and I couldn’t have landed a better internship.
Over the past few weeks, I have worked both in the events department at Loon, and with Marketing. From planning and supervising events on the weekends, to updating Loon’s many social media sites, I feel I have done it all.
I had the experience to work first hand on events like Tele Demo Day, Pipe Dreams, and the many festivities of Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend. My internship also included getting out on the hill with Gus Noffke, the Snow Reporter, to snap some photos and videos that are posted daily on Loon’s Website. I was also able to help write press releases for the mountain, as well to help start up this very blog site you are on.
Loon is such a great environment and the staff here is so welcoming. Again, I would fully recommend anyone looking for an internship to consider Loon for everything that is has to offer. And I like to give a special thanks to Jordan Yanni, the events supervisor, and Katelyn Krumperman, the Marketing Manager here at Loon, for being such amazing intern supervisors!
Thanks for Reading!
Joe Desjardins
Loon Mountain Marketing Intern
Annual Independence Weekend 1/15-1/17
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Come to Loon and celebrate our annual Independence Weekend with us! Here is a list of events going on this weekendSaturday
Uncle Sam on Stilts-throughout the resort all day
Mo the Balloon Baffoon in the Governor’s Lodge 3:00-6:00pm
Radio Disney in the Governor’s Lodge 4:00-7:00pm
Bud Light Apres Ski Party at Babe’s and Bunyan Room 2:30pm
Snowcat Rides, line up at Kanc Quad 4:30-6:45pm
Torchlight Parade and Fireworks 7:00pm
Rustic Overtones in the Bunyan Room, 8:30pm, No Cover, 21+
Sunday
Mo the Balloon Baffoon in the Governor’s Lodge 1:00-4:00pm
Bud Light Apres Ski Party at Babe’s and Bunyan Room 2:30pm
We’ll see you on the slopes!
*Think Snow*
Katelyn Krumperman
Marketing & Communications Manager
Powder Days Make Loon Mountain Smile
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Good Afternoon,In the past 24 hours we have received 17 inches of fresh snow! I have to say, yesterday was one of the best days of season! The powder was fluffy and the conditions were great!
Going into Independence Weekend, our conditions are in awesome shape! Plus, we have been making snow to open more terrain and our new tower guns are making a huge difference.
We have a fun filled Independence Weekend planned for everyone. Be sure to check out our events page for more information and a full calendar of events of what’s going on.
We’ll see you on the slopes! *Think Snow*
Katelyn Krumperman
Marketing & Communications Manager
Hello from the Marketing Intern
Hello Loon Mountain!
My name is Joe Desjardins and I have been lucky enough to intern with the Marketing Department here at Loon for the 2010-2011 winter ski season. I was born and raised here in North Woodstock New Hampshire, just minutes from Loon, and coming back to Loon to do something other to ski has been such a great experience so far!
Currently, I am a freshman at Endicott College in Beverly Massachusetts and am studying Sports Management, looking to earn a degree in Sport Science. As the Loon Marketing Intern, I have been given the chance to work within the department in many different areas. Whether it be planning and supervising events here at Loon, helping to write press releases and updating Loon’s many social networking sites, or even getting out on the slope and snapping pictures and videos for Loon’s web site, there is always something didactive and interactive for me to experience.
Loon Mountain is a fun, friendly, and great place for all ages and working here provides a very similar experience. Being able to learn the “ins and outs” that make Loon Mountain turn, in such a positive environment, has expanded my knowledge in the field of study that I am currently striving for at college.
Whether it be in the marketing department, or any of the other great places to work here at the mountain, I would recommend Loon as a fun and learning environment to complete an internship.
I am looking forward to the rest of my time with the Loon Mountain crew, and am sure that the knowledge and experience I gained here, will help me down the road in college and whatever comes after.
Hope you all come to Loon to experience the fun and excitement that this beautiful mountain has to offer year in and year out! See YOU on the slopes!
Joe Desjardins
Marketing Intern
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays from Loon Mountain! Between the upcoming holiday events and fresh snow that is on the way, this week looks great for skiing and riding!
With the addition of 428 new tower snow guns, we were able to open more terrain earlier in the season. Going into the holiday week, we will have 299 acres, 22 miles and 43 trails open and we expect to open more terrain soon.
Our superpipe opened on Thursday, Dec. 23 just in time for the holidays making it the first superpipe open on the East Coast. We were also featured in Transworld Snowboarding.
I just checked the radar and the snow is on its way! Come kick-off the last week of 2010 skiing and riding at Loon where we are expecting some fresh powder! Here’s to a safe and happy new year. Happy Holidays!
*Think Snow*
Katelyn Krumperman
Marketing Manager
Carving turns on Upper Bear Claw on Christmas Eve.
Santa standing at the bottom of the first superpipe to open on the East Coast.
Will Mayo going BIG in our first to open in the East, Superpipe!
