Where to Ski And Snowboard - Fitness tests for Aspen ski staff

Fitness tests for Aspen ski staff

6th August 2014, by Abi Butcher

Staff at the Colorado ski resort of Aspen will be required to pass fitness tests before they hit the slopes

If you’re heading to Aspen to ski this winter, you can rest assured the lift operators, ski patrollers and ski instructors will be fitter than fiddles.

The Aspen Skiing Co has introduced a fitness test that employees who work on the slopes must pass — starting 1 October. The “wellness initiative” has been introduced to encourage health and fitness and to reduce workplace injuries.

Aspen Skiing Co introduced the test last year for new employees, but this year has rolled it out to 1,500 ski instructors, lift operators and ski patrollers to prove their fitness for the slopes.

The test has eight different components, including repeatedly stepping onto a raised platform for five minutes and 15 press-ups in the space of one minute. Aspen Skiing Co has hired a number of fitness experts to help its employees prepare — though the company’s vice president of human resources says many will be able to pass it easily.

“Last season Aspen Skiing Company rolled out a comprehensive new wellness program. The program supports our Guiding Principles which commit to enriching our employees’ mind, body and spirit,” said Jim Laing, vice president of human resources at Aspen Skiing Company. ” One component of the new program is a fitness assessment all on-snow employees will take prior to the beginning of the season. We are very excited about this new program as it will help employees start the season fit and ultimately provide a better overall guest experience.”