The Aspen leaves have by no means peaked yet, but this weekend may be the best time to see what fall color we have. The weather forecast towards the end of next week is for some strong gusty winds that could end up stripping off many of the leaves.
The hummingbirds and red-winged blackbirds have left already, at least two weeks early. Did they sense an early winter approaching? We will have to wait and see …..
The Snow & Ice Management Association has announced that Karen Shackles, Managing Director of Alpine Ventures LLC has earned the Advanced Snow Manager (ASM) designation.
The ASM training program provides quality, accessible safety and operational training for snow operations professionals, designed around the following values:
• Serious training – Building an effective, quality training program for snow operations is challenging. SIMA has made it easy to create consistent, reliable training for operations managers and operators.
• Stronger people – Strength of service is only as good as the people who power it. The ASM program helps build confidence and leadership and empowers snow personnel to become more efficient and knowledgeable during snow events.
• Safer operations – ASM focuses on creating a culture that rewards safety and seeks to reduce the chance of injuries, and service failure. This includes standardized methods of organizing and documenting work that occurs onsite.
This self-paced, interactive training program includes these four certificate courses: Core Principles, Plowing Operations, Sidewalk Operations, and Ice Management. Individuals complete the courses, and then take a quiz to assess knowledge. Those who earn all four certificates receive the ASM designation, an official training credential from SIMA.
# # #
About the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA)
Founded in 1996, the Snow & Ice Management Association is the nation’s trade association for professionals involved with the snow & ice industry including snow plowing as well as commercial & residential snow removal. Visit www.sima.org for more information.
Our forecasted snowy spring hasn’t materialized yet, but the snow pack is still in good shape. We’re expecting a small storm Sunday/Monday (March 6/7), then another bluebird week, followed by the next storm sometime the following weekend (March 12/13-ish). But hey – it’s Colorado. Hit the slopes in the morning, then break out your mountain bike for the afternoon!
SNOW IN THE FORECAST FOR EACH DAY THIS WEEK
We will start with the potential for an inch or two today and Monday. Then Monday night the storm is expected to ramp up and give us up to a foot of snow by Wednesday morning. After that, we have another inch or two each day through Saturday. We could get a few surprise flurries along the way that drop a few more inches than what is in the forecast.
For our snow plowing customers: We will continue to plow each day that the new accumulation meets the service trigger of your plowing agreement. And we are generally always out the day after a big storm to clean up, push piles back, and clear where cars may have been parked during the storm.
LONGER FORECAST IS FOR DRYER WEATHER HEADING INTO JANUARY
The longer range forecast shows that the first half of January will be on the dryer side. So enjoy the fresh powder that we are getting this week. It will add to our great base of snow, so then the first part of January we can enjoy some bluebird clear days of sunshine to go out and play. It may not be fresh powder for snow plowing, but it’s still going to be fun! I’m not a skier or boarder, but I’m hoping for some time to get out on my snow shoes.
WILL YOUR HOLIDAY PLANS AFFECT SNOW PLOWING?
Are you planning a party or getting a houseful of company for the holidays? Drop us a quick message to let us know, so that we can do what we can to adjust our snow plowing to accommodate your needs at this time.
SILVERTHORNE IS HAVING A GREAT WINTER SO FAR
Snow pack for the sites nearest Silverthorne are at 100%, and the snow water equivalent is a little over that. We may hit a dry spell early in the new year, but then we are anticipating a snowy wet spring from about mid-February through April. We love plowing that fluffy spring snow! And as I am out and about in town, businesses are bustling and people are smiling – this is good!