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Should I Manage a Park This Year?

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CrazedSkier1080
Posts: 3357 - Karma: 66
Today I was presented with the opportunity to be the terrain park manager at a local mountain here in New Hampshire. Check out http://tenneymtn.com it's certainly nothing special but I live real close and I think it could be fun...

Here's the dilemma...
#1. Ive worked at the mountain all summer as an adventure guide (rock climbing, kayaking, and zip lines). It was fun, but the people who run the place could definitely do better. Many things are mismanaged and although it's fun, its just stressful knowing things could be much better. So, do I put up with this and hope in the winter things are different?

#2. I have little experience building terrain parks. A few years ago I worked at a mountain as kind of a joke to get a pass where I would rake jumps and salt take offs but nothing more than that. I have however, been skiing in parks for a long time now and can easily tell the difference between good and bad. I think I'd be able to work my way through it.

#3. Last year, the park sucked, plain and simple. I know I'll have very limited resources (cat time, rail options,  design freedom etc...). But, I hope to be able to deal with this stuff and make it as good as possible.

I understand fully that I'm asking mostly (on average) 16 year olds with even less experience than I have. But, if anyone has some advice that would definitely be awesome.

Thanks!
Aug 29 2009 3:47PM
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pho[tog]rapher
Posts: 2618 - Karma: 494
I think it's a great opp. Small mountain that needs a facelift, so head in there and you and the staff can get more experienced together. Sounds like a great chance for growth for you AND them. They won't be expecting X Games quality and it'll be good to do some trial and error. I'd do it. I know you know what's good and if anything maybe you can help the freestyle scene in their area progress.

Point is, I think it sounds fun and easy-going. You know you'd be getting a lot of time on snow and having a title like this on your resume could help lead to bigger things. Luck Con!
Aug 29 2009 3:53PM
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Che~
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 296
If you think that you can do a better job than the guy before, do it.
Aug 29 2009 3:53PM
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joly.sp
Posts: 2305 - Karma: 585

While I think it would be fun, it would be a ton of work. The park crew at my mountain (sunpeaks) puts in so much time to get the park the way it is. I guess when you are skiing it then it doesnt seem like it was that much work but it sure is. Basically the park started with 6 rails in the first week of dec and didnt stop until we had a full park in march when they put new take offs beside the bottom jumps. It's a season long job for sure.

I would maybe see if you and another person could share the "managing" side to make it a little easier. If you have a solid crew of diggers that are dedicated it should be really fun.

Aug 29 2009 3:54PM
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sdfjklioeur
Posts: 2082 - Karma: 114

Sounds like a good opportunity. In your shoes I would try it out for a season. If you really don't end up getting a good deal with respect to how much help management gives you with funding and cat time then use the job experience to get a position on a park crew or park manager somewhere else thats maybe alittle better run.

Aug 29 2009 3:54PM
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ColbyV
Posts: 1125 - Karma: 57
i say go for it. Its a great opportunity to get some experience so if you want to go to a better mountain you can. I think there might be some sort of class that you can take, maybe get the mountain to pay for it, to help you understand the what the angles of take offs and landings would be. The Killington park manager and some of the crew took those last year. As long as you are dedicated and enjoy what you are doing you can make a great park with shitty resourses. Focus of flow and fun over big features if you can't get the cat time. good luck
Aug 29 2009 3:55PM
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Oreos
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38
DO IT!

you'll be able to make a real difference. it'll boost your cv (resume) which can only lead you onto bigger and better things. this is the ideal first step into a proper career on a mountain.
Aug 29 2009 3:56PM
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Coalescent
Posts: 4871 - Karma: 2,063
Good luck..hire a good crew, have fun with it and be ready to put in HOURS upon HOURS..without a good crew or supervisors your screwed.  Previous experience.
Aug 29 2009 3:57PM
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CrazedSkier1080
Posts: 3357 - Karma: 66
I already spoke to them about that. I was thinking since Im new it would be cool to work with someone else and share it all.


Aug 29 2009 3:57PM
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fatherb
Posts: 1510 - Karma: 173
i didnt even know tenney was still open! i think you should def try it for a season, seems like a good oppurtunity. if it doesnt work out then you dont have to keep doing it, and if you make a sick park, maybe ill come................
Aug 29 2009 3:58PM
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roor
Posts: 946 - Karma: -80
why not....get a free season pass and get payed to ride park...


It is alot of hard work though,  they didnt have a good park last year so there's no pressure on you and if your not lazy, im sure you can make a half decent park, with features you want to ride. It's a sick job, I will hopefully be on the park team with attitrash this year 
Aug 29 2009 4:00PM
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WVskiing
Posts: 3007 - Karma: 1,949
i would do it
haha my mtn gets more snow and im in WV
Aug 29 2009 4:27PM
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Eric.S
Posts: 1749 - Karma: 64

Think about it this way, its a great oppertunity and if you dont like it well...you have alot of other winters to do something diffrent. Its not like you will be stuck with the job. So give it a try so you dont regret not doing it.

Aug 29 2009 4:38PM
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kzrstf
Posts: 2778 - Karma: 695
i personally like simple park, its fun.
this year my home mountain invested in sketchy and crazy wood feature, but we didnt had a single flat rail.
Aug 29 2009 4:57PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2089 - Karma: 1,346

Pretty much my dream job right there! So i say go for it!

As before mentioned, if nothing else, it'll be an experience, and a welcome addition to your CV if your lookin to get in to park/resort management.

With regards to the building, i know they have courses in how to build jumps and jibs at bigger resorts. Jibs is pretty straight forward since it doesnt involve that much snow, jumps however are a bigger challenge. Angles, speed etc have to be just right, so a course would be a good idea. Maybe study angles/speed/distance online, i know you can find equations online that explain it.

Im jealous of you, good luck, and have a great season!

Aug 29 2009 4:58PM
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lydiaiskwllol
Posts: 514 - Karma: 11
Do it
Aug 29 2009 5:24PM
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powderhound100
Posts: 2510 - Karma: 144
Personally I would definitely do it. You could build features that you like and honestly just talk with the people riding the park, be out there with them and ask what they want you to build etc. If raking the take offs and shit is a lot of work you should talk with the resort and have some kind of volunteer program, like I could go there rake the take offs every couple hours and get a free lift ticket. Something like that.
Aug 29 2009 5:33PM
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East.
Posts: 2314 - Karma: 128
It's better to start at a shitty park anyways.. you'll gain experience as you go, and since you already know what to look for in a park, it shouldn't be too hard to figure it out. And even if it takes a while to actually make some nice features, you're at a small mountain anyways.
Aug 29 2009 5:36PM
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musick13
Posts: 913 - Karma: 44
now if the park sucks, you know who to blame
Aug 29 2009 6:02PM
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Frank_Spinatra
Posts: 1203 - Karma: 75
hell ya I would do it.  my advise would be start with a very simple park.  the mistakes you can make are minimal if you start with beginner-intermediate features and every park goes through an advancing progression during the season. dont try to make your closing day features in the beginning, and always welcome rider criticism.

If you arent sure def get someone to help with the responsibilities
Aug 29 2009 6:04PM
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Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9092 - Karma: 3,022
dude take that job. that is literally my dream job; to help make a shitty park good so that the good people can shred hard
Aug 29 2009 6:15PM
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.jr
Posts: 5313 - Karma: 356
Do it for the kids! Give them what you maybe(?) never had!
Aug 29 2009 6:27PM
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.jr
Posts: 5313 - Karma: 356
Plus, if you do a good job, kids you've never even met will straight up love you..

Can I get a shout out for a Tad Feiss?
Aug 29 2009 6:29PM
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zagfan5
Posts: 2608 - Karma: 144
take it for sure. make sure to get a lot of rider feedback and ask the regular park rats what kind of features they want to have. happy riders = better feedback which = good things for you.
Aug 29 2009 6:34PM
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Magnetic
Posts: 845 - Karma: 229
this. go for it
Aug 29 2009 8:26PM
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B-Wall
Posts: 176 - Karma: 165
definitely a great opportunity.. I say take the job!
Aug 29 2009 9:10PM
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minnesotajib25
Posts: 51 - Karma: 15
might as well. sounds like you got the skills!
Aug 30 2009 12:49AM
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minnesotajib25
Posts: 51 - Karma: 15
might as well. sounds like you got the skills!
Aug 30 2009 12:51AM
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Dukeybrains
Posts: 1030 - Karma: 11
This is your step in the door mann
go make shit happen you can't turn an opportunity like that down.
Aug 30 2009 1:46AM
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Line-4-Life
Posts: 142 - Karma: 10
Definetly go for it, it will bring you alot of satisfation to see people hitting the features you worked on and designed, and you will be in the park alot as well. It would be a great opportunity to learn alot more about terrain parks and skiing in general, as well as improve your own skills (as a builder, designer, manager, skier and many other things). It will take time and effort but what you will get out of it will be well worth it. Hope you go for it and good luck.
Aug 30 2009 8:32AM
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AA-Shred
Posts: 131 - Karma: -8
If you think you can do it give it a go, talk to the riders built it the way they want it after all they are the ones using it. The people that use the park could be your greatest asset in getting it set-up right, I think it would be a great opportunity and jump on it if i had the chance.
Aug 30 2009 9:03AM
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Common-Grind
Posts: 51 - Karma: 39
Join the Park Builders cult and you can post questions and whatnot in there.  Whether you're managing a park at a tiny little resort with little scene or the biggest freestyle hub in your area you are still responsible for rider safety.  As long as you keep that in mind and start small you should be in good shape.  PM me if you have any specific questions, but definitely join the park builders cult and talk to some other builders/managers.

Dont hire young kids
Dont skimp on paperwork and records
Dont expect anything to go as planned
Aug 30 2009 9:30AM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,268
Maybe since you are/will be in a higher position, you could point out to them what needs to be done better.
Aug 30 2009 9:40AM
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creighton
Posts: 3837 - Karma: 3,400
CONOR DO IT. then you can build me sick features and ill come back and hit them
Aug 30 2009 4:36PM
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Macaulay.Culkin
Posts: 454 - Karma: 37
this
Aug 30 2009 4:39PM
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DR.SHRED
Posts: 2134 - Karma: 503
take the job
Aug 30 2009 5:25PM
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CreamSteez.
Posts: 299 - Karma: 81
i was asked to do that for soldier mt. in idaho and i wanted to it but then the lodge burnt down and i dont think they will open this year. but you difinitly should do it you could help the place.
Aug 30 2009 6:25PM
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Hubsta
Posts: 1279 - Karma: 156
In all honesty, by asking a skiing community this question you're not going to get far from 100% 'Yes' responses. It's down to you, if you really want to do it then go for it. As for the managment, you'll be able to work around them. Who knows, if you do a good job you might make your way up the ranks.
Aug 30 2009 6:53PM
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Dan-Man
Posts: 7487 - Karma: 3,618

back in the day didn't "tenny mtn" make snow inlike august once??

but ya dude you should do it. it'd be dope to have a park your way.

Aug 30 2009 7:00PM
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nickyp
Posts: 5673 - Karma: 215
Having a freeskier as park manager, rather than an a straight up 'manager' would be beneficial. People who are trained in marketing, and not true skiers will find it difficult to create a top class park.

As a freeskier, you'll know what people actually want from the park. Go for it.
Aug 30 2009 7:04PM
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Dan-Man
Posts: 7487 - Karma: 3,618

oh and you don't need big jumps or fancy rail setups to have an amazing park. just raid trash piles and get creative, kidz get stoked if you just get an old oil barrel and lay it in the park, or some pallets set up in some creative jump style way, i once even skied a park where they took hoods and trunks from old cars and it was a blast!!

get jiggy with it.

Aug 30 2009 7:05PM
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nickyp
Posts: 5673 - Karma: 215
The amount of times I've been to an amazing park, but just sessioned the same box or rail is ridic. Quality over quantity: a few highly trickable boxes and rails are better than shit loads of super tech stuff.
Aug 30 2009 7:20PM
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50in07
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 1,471
Absolutely
Aug 30 2009 8:34PM
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PurpleDino
Posts: 1513 - Karma: 483
get stoked and go for it man.  you could be the person to lead tenney into being known better for there parks.  being manager of parks at a little mountain is awesome too because you can get to know everyone real well
Aug 30 2009 9:50PM
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