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Sunshine Village has fucked up...

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minihef
Posts: 813 - Karma: 781

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2011/01/19/calgary-banff-sunshine-village-ski-patrollers-sick-protest.html

http://www.rmoutlook.com/article/20110119/RMO0801/301199924/-1/RMO/breaking-news-ski-patrollers-take-job-action

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sunshine-Village/173440808167#!/pages/Sunshine-Village/173440808167

There's a lot of speculation at the moment but the rumour going around is that the patrollers were fired because of a dispute with a relative of the owners. Apparently the relative was caught in a closed area, had their pass pulled but then kicked off about it and ran crying to the owner who subsequently fired some of the most experienced and best people on hill.

If true the patrollers have been subject to absolutely shameful, arrogant and reckless behaviour from the owner. They deserve huge props for their dedication, professionalism and most of all for their balls in risking their jobs and standing up to the owners over this. I hope it works out for them and that the owners get what they deserve.

Jan 20 2011 1:56AM
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jca
Posts: 4171 - Karma: 6,311
if that's true about pass pulling thing, this is such bullshit on Sunshine's part. Either way, there's no way a dispute should escalate to this level especially when it involves the people who keep the mountain safe to ride.
Jan 20 2011 2:22AM
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hjb
Posts: 742 - Karma: 40
I used to work at Sunshine a few years ago, and we were always treated well by the management and owners. Certainly better than other mountains that I've worked at since then. It seems surprising to me that the owners attitude to their employees could change so much over such a short period of time. Their actions seem uncharacteristically short sighted, especially considering that there are plenty of job opportunities at other mountains in the region for those hard-done-by employees.
Jan 20 2011 3:26AM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
One comment from the news:

RexMorgan wrote:

"My dad is skiing there today, and I'd be pissed if I spent $80.00 on lift ticket and only three of the runs were open. I'm gonna recommend a class action lawsuit on this one."


Is this guy serious or just trolling away?
Jan 20 2011 3:41AM
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Static
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 4,089
If my daddy owned the place I would ski wherever I wanted, and I certainly wouldn't take any lip from some ski patroler. Firing the guys seems extreme though, but who knows maybe it got real heated, ski patrol actin' like cops "I don't care whos son you are this is my mountain, boy!" "oh yea?" This whole call in sick shit sucks for the visitors, their ski days/vacations were ruined. A real dick move by the remaining patrolers.
Jan 20 2011 3:50AM
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minihef
Posts: 813 - Karma: 781

Fuck off, did you even read the articles? These patrollers are legit and have been key to getting some of the gnarliest inbounds in N. America open. They seem to be striking as a last resort as they think people's safety is being compromised by the actions of the owners.  Working extra hours even with frostbite as there are not enough staff to manage and you think they're pulling a dick move? Would you want avi control at your resort done by inexperienced people? If you had a serious injury would you want fatigued and overworked staff responding to you?

I know I wouldn't.

Jan 20 2011 4:01AM
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Roy
Posts: 1982 - Karma: 1,240

Question: True or False, Avys don't start or will miraculously part and go around you if you are rich or your dad owns the ski hill?

Jan 20 2011 4:37AM
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Static
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 4,089
When you're paid to do a job, and you're personally responsible for everyone's enjoyment, and you purposefully don't show up, it's a dick move. If the job is too long and hard find another one. I bet the stack of applications for ski patrol this fall was a foot high. Fuck the resort for charging full price too(less a $20 gift card). Put yourself in the position of someone taking their family on vacation, probably planned a year ahead of time, all the money spent, time taken off work. Showing up and you can't ski shit because ski patrol didn't come to work. If it's between overworked staff or reducing the place to a bunny hill I'll take the overworked staff any day. Maybe all this will turn out to be beneficial for the ski patrolers, but it's at the expense of visitors.
Jan 20 2011 4:41AM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
Shit happens. I think there are laws about overworking staff in unrelenting conditions? I'm more intrigued about that whole class-action suit thing, would people really take stuff like this to court?

Jan 20 2011 4:45AM
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Roy
Posts: 1982 - Karma: 1,240

SUMMARY FOR THOSE NOT WANTING TO READ THE ARTICLES

4 high up ski patrolers got fired, 2 with over 20 years of expereince and are basically the ones that determine if avy terrain is safe to open. The 4 let go were let go with out any warning and were sent home in a taxi the morning they were fired. 25 staff members (12 patrol) were pissed off and called in sick. They alerted the media and told them they are holding an unofficial strike. Sunshine spokes person is basically trying to play it off as, all he understands is they called in sick and he hopes they return to work tomorrow and he doesn't beleive there is any staff problems.

At this point it is a widely held beleif (although not confirmed) that the reason the 4 patrolers were fired was because, they caught a group of male snowboarders riding OB and a verbal altercation insued. The group was then brought inside for more questioning and to pull passes. One of the members of this group (most people say) is the owner's son, and his complaining to his dad is why they got fired.

Jan 20 2011 6:23AM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10888 - Karma: 2,184
I highly doubt the reason they were fired was because they pissed off the owner's son.

Wouldn't someone running a massive area like Sunshine have the good sense to simply tell their kid, "you got caught doing something you weren't supposed to. here's your ticket back, don't do it again"?

They'd have to know that firing a well liked employee on the spot would cause a shit storm. There's got to be something else here that hasn't been said
Jan 20 2011 9:14AM
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-Marc-
Posts: 865 - Karma: 207
Hope they have everything back to normal by the weekend, I doubt that many people will bother going with obly Strawberry, Standish and Wawa open
Jan 20 2011 12:04PM
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bryansbryan
Posts: 645 - Karma: 7
depends on the people, the father, the kid and the verbal altercation. plus since when does a resort owner know anything about skiing/skiing safety? they're all just business folk who enjoy the groomers on their days off. wouldn't shock me one bit if that's exactly how it happened.
Jan 20 2011 12:30PM
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Sallabillz
Posts: 1289 - Karma: 762
FFFFFFUUUUUCKKKK THHEE SKI POPO
Jan 20 2011 1:00PM
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warrilow86
Posts: 509 - Karma: 37
yeh this is pretty fucked up!
Jan 20 2011 1:23PM
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Lord.Quasimoto
Posts: 958 - Karma: 33
something doesn't add up in the story given, either way, better have that shit back up soon
Jan 20 2011 1:38PM
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kyle.m
Posts: 223 - Karma: 16
thats lame wont be going to sunshine for a bit i guess
Jan 20 2011 1:54PM
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ghetto_blaster
Posts: 342 - Karma: 3,452
Sunshine Patrol are DICKS
Jan 20 2011 5:13PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
owner's daughter= pretty good looking.
Jan 20 2011 7:47PM
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brice_SKIIN
Posts: 265 - Karma: 14
Your a fucking idiot. if your not a fucking dumbass u wont get in shit. they dont have many rules or get mad that easy, as long as you stay out of closed areas.

The patrols at sunshine (the ones ive talked too) are all really nice guys and gals as long as your not the ass hole.


Jan 21 2011 1:08AM
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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 5977 - Karma: 3,549
How are you guys giving the patrollers shit? The mountains here are real mountains and if these guys aren't doing what they are doing then the mountains WOULD kill us. Guaranteed.

Props to the patrollers for sticking together and standing up for whats right.

It wasn't four patrollers that were fired. 2 patrollers and 3 lift maintenance workers.

Fuck sunshine
Jan 21 2011 1:35AM
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minihef
Posts: 813 - Karma: 781

Two more patrollers have since been fired. Seems like the resort is playing hardball and firing anyone who is standing up to them. That's a whole lot of experienced staff for a resort to lose in such a short space of time without making any replacements.

And anyone talking shit on the patrollers here should take their head out of their asses. These guys were humble and dedicated professionals who worked their asses off to open expert terrain like Delirium Dive, Wild West, Silver City. Without their work Sunshine would be/is a distinctly average beginner's hill.

Jan 21 2011 3:19AM
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Sallabillz
Posts: 1289 - Karma: 762
ya mountain ski patrols are legit and are chill but in Edmonton on the fucking hills, fuck the ski popo
Jan 21 2011 11:20AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
Does the owner realize that he would have a serious serious problem with insurance if his patrol made calculated exceptions to their safety policies? Seriously stupid, these guys should be making phone calls.
Jan 21 2011 11:31AM
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Shredability
Posts: 2756 - Karma: 501
shit, this is fucked
Jan 21 2011 11:42AM
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JTL
Posts: 2275 - Karma: 338
i could definitely see this happening at my mountain
Jan 21 2011 11:51AM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
if you don't like the price/conditions then go somewhere else. so annoying when people bitch about ticket prices when it's their choice to purchase them in the first place

if you don't like the product then stfu and don't buy it!

Jan 21 2011 12:00PM
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k-rob
Posts: 14217 - Karma: 2,891
i honestly have a hard time believing either side of the story, it all sounds like juvenile bullshit to me.
Jan 21 2011 12:03PM
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zagfan5
Posts: 2608 - Karma: 144
i was just up at sunshine before the season started and their PR guy/insurance guy said that when it comes to lawsuits,firing, legalitiy issues, ect... sunshine plays hardball no matter what. so i wont be suprised if we see more firings in the near future due to this issue. and i know were gonna see a lot more denial on sunshines part about this whole situation.

honestly sunshine has dug a hole too deep to get out of on this one. even if they did miraculiously apologize and make things right, people would will still have this issue ingrained in their memory of sunshine for a long time. at least i know i will.
Jan 21 2011 12:33PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
I don't know much about the issue or management. But you have to respect the patrollers at sunshine. Some of the terrain is gnarly and in order to be open the patrollers need the best working conditions. This might be an urban myth, but I remember back in 07, when a patrol got caught in a slide in the top of silver city, and apparently straight lined it to so save his life. Got caught up at the bottom and broke his neck (was still able to walk) . But that is just nuts. I don't think people see how potentially dangerous sunshine can be.
Jan 21 2011 4:58PM
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Roy
Posts: 1982 - Karma: 1,240
The rumour behind that inciident was that the patroler was threated with his job if he didn't take some PR people back there to do a photo shoot for themountain, after saying he wouldn't due to avy conditions.
Jan 21 2011 5:47PM
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panojibber
Posts: 3382 - Karma: 216
Sunshine's patrollers are waaaaay too legit. If they're on strike... I support them. You can't open the freeride terrain sunshine has without having a really good team behind it.
Jan 21 2011 5:55PM
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Roy
Posts: 1982 - Karma: 1,240

So 2 more guys got fired today for "just cause" (just cause he wants ta), by the owner himself according to the Calgary Herald.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/More+staff+firings+Sunshine+Village+after+patrollers+stage+protest/4142375/story.html

Does Sunshine not realize that the rockies are known for shitty and at times hard to predict avy conditions? Would you want guys with 20 plus years of localized experience? Does customer safety not take precedence over your shitty ass son (or which ever family member it was) endangering him self and others because he thinks he is a good rider so he can ride closed terrain? If I was in that situation with my dad he would give me an ear full for being dumber and congrats the patrolers.

I'm pretty sure it went down like this:

Patrolers: You guys know your riding closed terrain?

Group: ...um...no...

Patrolers: Did you know we can pull your passes for endagering yourselves and us. We close terrain for a reason. Please follow us out of here.

Scurfield's son: Fuck you guys we can ride here if we want! Do you know who I am!!!

Patrolers: No, and we don't care, do you think an avalanche cares. Now your passes are getting pulled, we're going inside.

Scurfield's son: Fuck you my dad owns this place, I'm going to get you guys all fired!

Jan 21 2011 6:19PM
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zagfan5
Posts: 2608 - Karma: 144
pretty sure i said this was coming yesterday.
Jan 21 2011 6:40PM
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minihef
Posts: 813 - Karma: 781
Update:

Sunshine Village has been forced to completely shut down their facebook page due to the enormous amount of negative publicity that's been generated in the past few weeks. This one has been set up in it's place: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-Ski-Patrol-wronged-by-Sunshine-Village-Ski-Resort/122117721193285

Please show your support by liking it. +K

Jan 28 2011 12:22AM
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Shredability
Posts: 2756 - Karma: 501
^yea just likes and left a comment, you should 2
Jan 28 2011 12:35AM
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under_achieved
Posts: 1164 - Karma: 14
I lol'd, story sucks though and they could defiantly take this to the alberta labour board
Jan 28 2011 1:46AM
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Evilchris
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 44
Fucki4
Jan 28 2011 7:24AM
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Evilchris
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 44
fuckit, the rich guy can die in an avy if he thought it was okay to duck ropes. What's NOT okay is that when he causes an anvy and it spills onto open terrain and kills a family of 3. if the rich asshole died, then that's just natural selection
Jan 28 2011 7:28AM
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Hoppy
Posts: 685 - Karma: 95
haha sunshine wikipedia edited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Village
Jan 28 2011 1:06PM
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Klick_2_klaim
Posts: 3396 - Karma: 25
errrr, who cares? if the snow is good, and you like skumshine, go shred.

remember when Louise got rid of jumps and everyone boycotted? that didnt last long.

its supposed to snow a bit this weekend, so go get it. you bet!
Jan 28 2011 1:15PM
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derpina
Posts: 2186 - Karma: 55
You've got to be fucking kidding me. Do you know why certain areas are closed? FOR AVALANCHE DANGER. FOR YOUR OWN FUCKING SAFETY YOU RETARD. The patrollers were just doing their job and probably didn't know or give a fuck who's kid it was, they were just trying to protect him.

What if they just let the kid stay out of bounds and he started an avalanche and died? THEN what kind of trouble would they be in? They wouldn't have been doing their job and someone would have lost their life because of it.

The protest started AFTER the incident and has NOTHING to do with the fact that experienced patrollers were simply fired for doing THEIR JOB.
Jan 28 2011 6:21PM
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Shredability
Posts: 2756 - Karma: 501
word
Jan 28 2011 7:22PM
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Klick_2_klaim
Posts: 3396 - Karma: 25
Yeah, this.

but at the same time, wouldnt you play the "dont you know who I am" card in that situation?

I would. This is unavoidable.
Jan 29 2011 12:35AM
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derpina
Posts: 2186 - Karma: 55
Yeah if you're a cocky asshole. I would be smart enough to know they were looking out for my safety. I like my life. And someone as fucking spoiled as we all know he/she is probably likes theirs too.
Jan 29 2011 12:37AM
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array.
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 202
this
Jan 29 2011 12:53AM
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stolitonic
Posts: 27 - Karma: 13

patrol are like cops and dentist. eze to hate until you really need one.  hard to take the side of rich kid...shit loosing my pass means im going to have to buy one at whistler for the rest of the year and stay at my best friends house...

Jan 29 2011 12:58AM
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Hoppy
Posts: 685 - Karma: 95
Plus there's the safety issue of the guys who have to go into that avalanche area to either rescue you, or, drag your selfish body out. So basically they've decided that not only their lives are worth risking but those of the resuce teams as well.

DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM.
Jan 29 2011 12:30PM
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minihef
Posts: 813 - Karma: 781
Plus Patrol rescuing retards from closed areas has a knock on effect on the rest of the ski hill - two patrollers carrying out a tricky rescue means two fewer patrollers who are free to respond to other injured people, do avi control etc.
Jan 29 2011 10:17PM
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General_Ripper
Posts: 3327 - Karma: 189

Ok so the mayor of your town has a son. His son sexually harrases your mom. The cops try to obtain the mayor's son............"Do you know who I am"....................."you're right its cool", says the cops.

I like your logic.......................... 

Jan 29 2011 10:28PM
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Static
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 4,089
in a more perfect world
Jan 29 2011 11:47PM
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