Chairlift Chat Series: Episode 4
Human Resources at Deer Valley
Published April 18, 2024
In Episode 4 of the Chairlift Chat Series, Todd Bennett, President and COO of Deer Valley, speaks with Chris Lampe, Vice President of Human Resources. They explore Chris’s journey from passionate skier to key HR leader, discussing the resort’s culture, employee-focused initiatives, and growth management strategies. Highlights include innovative uniform management, sustainable practices, and educational opportunities for staff, underscoring Deer Valley’s commitment to excellence for guests and employees alike. This conversation provides a comprehensive look at what makes Deer Valley a top destination for both visitors and career-minded professionals.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Short on time? Dive into our highlights at a glance!
FROM PASSION TO PROFESSION
Chris's enthusiasm for skiing began in elementary school and shaped his career path. His passion turned professional early when he began teaching skiing in high school, trading lessons for lift passes and later, a paycheck. This experience paved his path to Deer Valley, where he has been instrumental in shaping the resort's culture and operations over the past eight years.
WHY DEER VALLEY? CULTURE AND COMMITMENT
Chris dives into the reasons behind his long tenure at Deer Valley, centered on the resort's exceptional workplace culture and commitment to top-tier service. He recounts his experiences at Park City Mountain, noting how Deer Valley's focus on staff satisfaction and service excellence made his decision to join both easy and rewarding.
HUMAN RESOURCES LEADERSHIP AT DEER VALLEY
As VP of Human Resources, Chris ensures that Deer Valley is not just a great place to ski but also a great place to work. His team manages everything from recruitment to housing and payroll, with a goal to enhance life at Deer Valley. Chris stresses the importance of consistent and fair policies that position the resort as a beacon for industry talent.
EMBRACING GROWTH: INTEGRATING NEW STAFF
With expansion on the horizon, Chris outlines the challenges and strategies for welcoming up to 2,000 new employees. He highlights the need to maintain and share Deer Valley's unique culture—known as the "Deer Valley difference"—to integrate newcomers seamlessly and uphold the resort’s renowned service standards.
INNOVATING UNIFORM MANAGEMENT
The logistics of equipping a growing staff base are vast, but Deer Valley is rising to the challenge. Chris details innovative solutions like a concierge service for uniform distribution, which ensures that every staff member is well-prepared from day one. This meticulous attention to detail is part of what makes working at Deer Valley exceptional.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Deer Valley's commitment to sustainability is evident in their approach to uniform retirement. Chris shares how old uniforms find new life through donations to charities across the globe, including in Tanzania, highlighting the resort's broader social impact.
STRATEGIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Chris talks about housing as a crucial aspect of the employee experience at Deer Valley. He details the expansion of the housing program, which not only increases capacity but also enhances living conditions, demonstrating the resort’s commitment to its staff.
DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC WORKFORCE
The diversity of Deer Valley's staff, from J1 visa holders to part-time retirees, is a source of pride for Chris. The resort's inclusive policies and varied perks ensure that everyone finds a welcoming community at Deer Valley.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND CAREER GROWTH
Chris highlights the unique educational opportunities available to staff, from working with world-class chefs to specialized mechanic training. These initiatives are designed to foster skill development and career advancement, solidifying Deer Valley's reputation as a premier employer in the ski industry.
rich-text, responsive-table
In Episode 4 of the Chairlift Chat Series, Todd Bennett, President and COO of Deer Valley, speaks with Chris Lampe, Vice President of Human Resources. They explore Chris’s journey from passionate skier to key HR leader, discussing the resort’s culture, employee-focused initiatives, and growth management strategies. Highlights include innovative uniform management, sustainable practices, and educational opportunities for staff, underscoring Deer Valley’s commitment to excellence for guests and employees alike. This conversation provides a comprehensive look at what makes Deer Valley a top destination for both visitors and career-minded professionals.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Short on time? Dive into our highlights at a glance!
FROM PASSION TO PROFESSION
Chris's enthusiasm for skiing began in elementary school and shaped his career path. His passion turned professional early when he began teaching skiing in high school, trading lessons for lift passes and later, a paycheck. This experience paved his path to Deer Valley, where he has been instrumental in shaping the resort's culture and operations over the past eight years.
WHY DEER VALLEY? CULTURE AND COMMITMENT
Chris dives into the reasons behind his long tenure at Deer Valley, centered on the resort's exceptional workplace culture and commitment to top-tier service. He recounts his experiences at Park City Mountain, noting how Deer Valley's focus on staff satisfaction and service excellence made his decision to join both easy and rewarding.
HUMAN RESOURCES LEADERSHIP AT DEER VALLEY
As VP of Human Resources, Chris ensures that Deer Valley is not just a great place to ski but also a great place to work. His team manages everything from recruitment to housing and payroll, with a goal to enhance life at Deer Valley. Chris stresses the importance of consistent and fair policies that position the resort as a beacon for industry talent.
EMBRACING GROWTH: INTEGRATING NEW STAFF
With expansion on the horizon, Chris outlines the challenges and strategies for welcoming up to 2,000 new employees. He highlights the need to maintain and share Deer Valley's unique culture—known as the "Deer Valley difference"—to integrate newcomers seamlessly and uphold the resort’s renowned service standards.
INNOVATING UNIFORM MANAGEMENT
The logistics of equipping a growing staff base are vast, but Deer Valley is rising to the challenge. Chris details innovative solutions like a concierge service for uniform distribution, which ensures that every staff member is well-prepared from day one. This meticulous attention to detail is part of what makes working at Deer Valley exceptional.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Deer Valley's commitment to sustainability is evident in their approach to uniform retirement. Chris shares how old uniforms find new life through donations to charities across the globe, including in Tanzania, highlighting the resort's broader social impact.
STRATEGIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Chris talks about housing as a crucial aspect of the employee experience at Deer Valley. He details the expansion of the housing program, which not only increases capacity but also enhances living conditions, demonstrating the resort’s commitment to its staff.
DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC WORKFORCE
The diversity of Deer Valley's staff, from J1 visa holders to part-time retirees, is a source of pride for Chris. The resort's inclusive policies and varied perks ensure that everyone finds a welcoming community at Deer Valley.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND CAREER GROWTH
Chris highlights the unique educational opportunities available to staff, from working with world-class chefs to specialized mechanic training. These initiatives are designed to foster skill development and career advancement, solidifying Deer Valley's reputation as a premier employer in the ski industry.
rich-text, responsive-table
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