19/01/2012 01:16
mintek.com
Winter Lodging and Ski Resort
Maintenance
Let it Snow Metal, plastic and wood components are subject to
repeated freezing and thawing. This constant ex-
T
he Christmas-New Year break is over and pansion and contraction of parts produces micro
now it is time for many to get down to some fractures that will grow and eventually cause the
serious skiing. If the first week of January part to fail.
was any indication, then the next 2 months should
see plenty of snow and cold weather, perfect for ski In addition, when snow melts the water produced
resorts and winter lodges. acts as an accelerator for corrosion. Left unattended,
corrosion can cause asset failure, increasing liability
as well as capital budget demands.
20 Winter Lodge and Ski Resort Assets to
Inspect with a CMMS
Hopefully, last year’s soft revenue did not keep lodge
owners from cutting back on preventive mainte-
nance but if it did, ski resorts and lodges can still
perform inspections to ensure safe and profitable
operations.
http://www.mintek.com/blog/eam-cmms/winter-lodging-ski-resort-maintenance/
Below is a list of 20 winter lodge and ski resort assets
that should be inspected before, during and after
the winter season. In some cases the assets should
also be inspected during the off season to ensure
The coming snows should be good news for ski re- maintenance can be performed before guests arrive.
sort and lodge owners as they try to recover from a
slow season in 2011. On the other hand, unless they
have kept the premises in good condition utilizing
a CMMS system, the increase in revenues could be
offset by unplanned maintenance and repairs.
When Maintenance Has Not Been
Performed
In a nutshell, when maintenance of assets in harsh
weather environments has been delayed or neglec-
ted, Mother Nature begins an accelerated attack
on the working condition and longevity of assets.
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Winter Lodging and Ski Resort Maintenance
4. Avalanche barriers: Annual inspection of
avalanche barriers should be done. Every
year snow build up causes a few minor
and at least one major avalanche. Barriers
should be sturdy and structurally sound.
5. Ski/snowboarding runs: Daily inspections
of ski runs should be conducted to check for
bare patches, debris and other obstructions
that could cause an accident. Inspections
can determine if maintenance on snow pro-
ducing assets are required.
6. Hotel rooms: As with all hotels, guest rooms
should be clean, free of odors and pests. All
room HVAC and vents should be inspected.
Filters should be changed as scheduled by a
system.
7. Boilers, chillers: Hot water is a must but
it is also very energy consuming. Boilers
should be inspected for cracks, faulty valves
and cleaned of any soot build up as this can
significantly lower energy efficiency as well
as increase the amount of downtime the
unit has.
8. Safety/emergency equipment: Snow
mobiles, snow shovels, snow blowers, ice
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hammers, fire extinguishers, emergency
exits should be inspected to make sure they
are where they are supposed to be and also
in working order.
9. Hot tubs: Hot tubs are now common place
1. Ski lifts: Inoperable ski lifts equals no reve- in ski resorts and winter lodges. These as-
nue for lift passes. Constantly broken down sets should be inspected to ensure their safe
ski lifts will have guests going to a neigh- operation as well as making maintenance is
boring mountain. Check the entire line for performed to make sure they are as energy
corrosion, lubrication and for structural efficient as possible.
defects. 10. Roofs: Heavy snow buildup on roofs
2. Furnaces: Includes wood stoves, fireplaces may look pretty but it poses a danger to the
and assets designed to heat lodges. Chim- occupants under it. Roofs must be kept clear
neys should be inspected for soot build up, of any significant snow buildup. Lodge pre-
fuel lines should be scheduled for cleaning. mises should also be inspected for ice dams
3. Emergency paths, fire trails: Mountain and roof leaks. Inspections of roofs should
rescues are common, trails should be kept be performed daily.
open to expedite emergency operations. 11. Plumbing: Freezing temperatures cause
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Winter Lodging and Ski Resort Maintenance
pipes to freeze and burst. A burst pipe can loose railings, broken parts and generally
cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in free of hazards.
damages. Pipes and lines should be insula- 20. Air handlers: Warm air is a requirement
ted, All valves need regular inspections. for all wintertime resort areas. Heat distri-
12. Snow makers: Snow makers are used bution systems should be kept clear of air
to enhance conditions during drier spells obstructions. The most common method is
and also for patching worn or barren spots scheduling regular preventive maintenance
on trails. Keeping them operable is easier such as changing air filters which can clog
when maintenance is scheduled with a airways.
CMMS program.
13. Snow removal equipment and de-icing The list above only touches on the thousands of
equipment: A “Snowicane” like the one that ski lodge assets that require periodic inspections.
recently dumped 18 feet on Cordova, Alaska Keeping track of all assets to ensure safety and ope-
can easily overwhelm a lodging facility rational efficiency is best done with
that is unprepared. Inspections will ensure lodging CMMS.
all equipment is available and in working
order. CMMS programs help resort maintenance mana-
14. Kitchens: Kitchens are one of the most gement to always know where their assets are and
energy intensive asset areas. Broilers, the condition they are in.
ovens, freezers may need to have fuel lines
inspected, grease lines cleaned, refrigerants Share with us ski resort and winter lodge assets that
checked and energy usage monitored. you would add to the list. If you liked this article
15. Commercial dryers: Wet clothes after a you may also enjoy reading:
day or night of skiing will need to be dried.
Guests may attempt drying near fireplaces, CMMS, inspections, maintenance management
http://www.mintek.com/blog/eam-cmms/winter-lodging-ski-resort-maintenance/
furnaces or make use of the facilities clothes
dryers. Lint collectors should be scheduled Did you like Winter Lodging and Ski Resort
for constant inspections. Maintenance?
16. Lighting (night skiing): Many resorts
offer night time skiing. Lighting on all trails Every share you make allows us to write more great
should be checked to minimize danger and stuff for you:
potential liability.
17. Generators: Heavy snow and ice are • It’s how we prove that it’s worth blogging to
common causes of power failures. Backup our bosses. Researching and writing takes
generators should have adequate inspec- serious time.
tions and preventive maintenance to ensure • I happen to get a free lunch for every post
their operation in case of emergency. with 10 shares... I really like free lunch.
18. Ski rental shacks: Sometimes the smal- • The whole office gets free lunch for every
ler buildings create the highest risk. Sepa- post with 100 shares.
rate ski rental buildings or other buildings • I also like seeing our stuff on the internet.
should be safely maintained. You have to admit it’s really cool.
19. Common areas: Top of runs, benches,
bars, lobbies etc. should be inspected for
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Winter Lodging and Ski Resort Maintenance
What enterprise blog topics interest you
the most?
Other Articles Written by stuart smith
Stuart Smith is Mintek’s InBound Marketing Specia-
list. He works hard at creating compelling content
to keep Mintek’s customers and prospects informed
with relevant information.
Most Recent Posts
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