Blair
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Posts posted by Blair
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Hi Kobet
Winter workers at ARAI usually do one of three things during the green season:
1. Stay on at the resort and help out with green season operations;
2. Return to their home towns; or
3. Travel overseas for boarding and the like.
Oblivion
Wages for winter workers at resorts in my opinion are at the subsistence level; However, generally most folk come for the snow as opposed to cash. In Canada and other parts of the world, I understand the situation to be quite similar.
Blair.
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Hi Dale
Yes, it is nice to be able to be a bit more proactive instead of reactive. There is still lots to do, but it is more "9 to 5" style.
Thanks for showing an interest in reading about resort operations - we're going to do our best to bring more columns to you in the future as well.
Blair.
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Hi frannyo
Sorry to have been away for awhile.
A guest appreciation day is a good idea, and while ARAI does not yet have anything for Adults, we have been offering Kids free lift passes on specified days this white season(usually Sundays - twice a month).
db
Speaking of food, I agree that the restaurants at the top of the mountain(I used to wash dishes/bus tables in that restaurant during the '96-'97 white season)are the place to be for lunch - a band plays up there at peak times and the balconies offer a great view of the neighboring Japanese Alps.
I also agree that the conditional zones, when open, are the place to be. To confess, I had not challenged them until this season, but a guy I met at ARAI took me on them and I had a blast!
Thanks again for reading
Blair.
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Hi
No, nobody lost their jobs as far as I can tell.
Needless to say though, the incident was a stressful one for all of those involved.
It is my intention here to explain what I presently understand about the incident(which stems from our disabled program), and move on.
On a day when the two main staff members of the disabled program were not available, a third staff member met with the guest concerned, and followed up by writing some notes in a folder intended only for staff-to-staff communication.
On a subsequent meeting, one of the main staff members of the disabled program was having a meeting with the same guest, but was called away. The folder was left in front of the guest, who managed to read the contents.
The guest objected to the contents of the file, which marked the beginning of the incident in question. I do not know either what was written in the file, or who exactly is to blame.
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Dear No Fakie
While it is true that some people will complain about anything, they represent the reality of the service industry.
I'm not sure if the apology is excessive or not at this point, as I still do not understand exactly what happened.
Scooby doo
It is a big deal to stand up and make an apology, especially in such a prominent manner during the middle of the season.
Rach
The apology has now been removed from the top page of the Japanese website. I will let you know more about what happened when I do.
Scouser
Before I worked at ARAI, I skied here as a guest several times from the start of the opening season ten years ago. I also used to get out on the slopes daily when I helped to set up the mountain each morning. Employees at ARAI do receive a version of the seasons pass offered to guests; However, private skiing is limited to non-peak periods. Lately I don't manage to get out on the slopes so much as I tend to keep quite busy attending to guests in the village. Some days, it is even challenging to get to my desk in the main office, let alone out on the slopes.
Thank you and regards
Blair.
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Hi
We have actually had an international crew working up here this white season consisting of four Canadians, a reflexologist from Taiwan, two bands from the Phillipines and a guy from Hawaii.
It has been really nice to have had some support when both looking after the international guests and teaching the Japanese staff English.
If you look at the top page of
you will notice icons for both a fishing lodge in Canada as well as a Dolphin Project in Palau. These companies belong to the same group that ARAI does, and they are all privately owned, making staff exchanges between the firms relatively easy to arrange.
Thanks for the question and regards
Blair.
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Hi Dumbstick
There was an incident at the ARAI GUIDE CENTER involving our disabled program. To be honest I too do not quite undrestand everything, but needless to say that ARAI is taking this one seriously. In addition to the top page, there is also some further info. on the Japanese BBS.
As far as I understand, nobody is physically hurt and the incident stems from a difference of opinion between a guest and a customer.
Once I understand the incident in full I will be able to answer your question in better detail.
Thanks and regards
Blair.
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Hi SKI
The guy I did the last in-depth interview with has now moved on to America of all places(maybe he really wants to ski out of bounds? - some insider humor there); However, I'm planning to do interviews with some of our international staff for the next volume of the setting journals.
Thanks for reading
Blair.
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Hi silly-sausage
To undertake an expansion on any mountain is incredibly capital intensive, requires years of planning and is obviously subject to the elasticities of demand.
Industry wide, I have often heard resorts etc. talk about expansion, but only a few of them actually follow through. There are I beleive many reasons for this, but one of the main ones is being able to establish a return on investment acceptable enough to secure financing for such a project.
Thanks for reading
Blair.
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Welcome to February everyone!
To answer your questions -
Fattwins:
I really have multiple duties here, ranging from visual identity(menus, signs etc. into English) through to attending to international guests when they visit the resort. I'm also on standby for any emergencies that require hospital visits and the like. In the green season, I teach English to the staff. Twenty of ARAI's full-time employees sat the TOEIC exam last November.
As for opening more terrain, there is definitely potential for ARAI to do so. The question of the hour is whether the economy, in the state that it is in, could support ARAI undertaking such a venture - Time will tell!
frannyo:
ARAI has received a bunch of snow over the past week, so indications presently are for a long flight.
It really is up to each individual guest as to when the flight starts to descend. For some, they only want to ski during peak season, so the descent begins in April. For others, they enjoy spring conditions, so their flight can last well into May.
I intend that the next volume of the setting journals will shed more light on answers to your questions frannyo.
Thanks again for reading
Blair.
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Hi
Thanks for reading.
There is no music on the slopes at ARAI. What is the reason behind having music on the slopes?
I do try to get out whenever possible, lately though I manage to get out once or twice a month. It is a great way to blow off steam.
Regards
Blair.
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Hi everybody
Thanks for helping to keep the thread going.
To get to your points:
Ken Barlow - The accountant has said that sales are slightly up this year compared to the previous two;
grungy-gonads - I apologize for going quiet. I'm sometimes pushed into a reactive mode and appreciate a nudge every now & again to come back and check out a thread; &
SKI - The next installment is now in the final stages of editing and should be out soon.
It seems like most of Japan is getting some great powder lately, eh?
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Hi Rajeem
Yes, from Kansai to ARAI takes a bit of time.
You do have the option of travelling up the Sea of Japan route via the Hokuriku Expressway or inland via Nagano.
Exerting that extra bit of effort to get here though pays off in my opinion, as in the process you leave the crowds behind.
Thank you
Blair.
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Hi Fattwins
Thank you very much for answering my questions.
I'll start by saying that my Japanese is less than perfect, so please understand that the translation of the letter you are requesting is rough at best. Here goes:
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Dear guests of ARAI
Thank you very much for coming to our resort.
Like many other businesses in the latter part of this year, we have had to adjust our operations due the the economic impact resulting from the tragic terrorism which occurred in New York on Septemeber 11th.
Our intention at this time is for our guests to still be able to come and enjoy the resort, and we'd like to apologize in advance for any inconvenience the following changes in business hours this season cause you, our guest.
We'd also like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on some scheduled changes in our operations.
[Adjustment of operating hours]
1. Night/Sunrise Skiing operations suspended this season.
2. ARAI Legends Ski Race cancelled this season.
3. Forest Side House restaurant open on Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays only.
4. Gaby's Bar will not open this season.
5. Zendana Food Garden will not open this season.
6. The Club Hotel will close for the season following the Golden Week vacation.
7. Manna Esthetics Spa will open in February of 2002.
8. The name, "The Mountain Spa & The Pool" will change to "AQUA PARK Pool & Yu" as of Decemebr 15, 2001.
November, 2001
ARAI RESORT INC.
ARAI RESORT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
GENERAL MANAGER
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Fattwins, I trust that the above translation you requested is sufficient at this time.
Thank you very much
Blair.
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Dear Fattwins
ARAI as a company sends out many letters.
Please try to be a bit more specific concerning which letter you are talking about.
Please also confirm exactly which point it is that you are trying to prove.
If you can give me some relevant information concerning the above two items, I will then be in a better position to comply with your request.
Thank you
Blair.
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Hi there
I've done my fair share of sleeping in cars/buses/planes/ships/camp sites all over the world - to be honest, I grew tired of it.
I now like to stay in places that are clean, safe, friendly, functional and warm while at the same time offering me personal privacy when I need it.
The guys that camp in the car park have the price of their lift ticket subsidized by those persons staying in the hotels - this was quoted to me by ski course designer Mr. Mike Larson.
Such a quote is applicable all over the world in a general sense; That is, the 10% of boarders/skiers that are hardcore are supported by the other 90% that aren't.
One group isn't any better than the other in my opinion, but each obviously has different priorities.
ARAI does not target one particular group of people - Instead, we welcome all to come and have a good time.
Take a look at our disabled program - it doesn't matter if somebody is a skier/boarder - they just need to want to enjoy themselves.
Yes, ARAI did close down some of it's operations last season due the macroeconmic fallout from 9/11.
Yes, ARAI did close some of the hotels this summer which is normal for a resort that derives the majority of it's business during the white season.
Quite simply, alot of people come to ARAI and manage to enjoy themselves without stepping near snow.
We are by no means a perfect company and realize this - which is always a good first step in my opinion.
Thank you very much for all of your comments - both positive and negative.
Blair.
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Hi there
The resort here is not actually releasing actual data for the snow depths until the second week in December.
There are a variety of reasons for this.
I agree that the reports are perhaps rather benign at present. My thinking is that a little benignity may actually be welcomed by some?
Once the season gets going, the reports will take on a more factual tone.
Thank you very much
Blair.
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Hi Lin
Statistically, ARAI has been getting 60% Boarders and 40% Skiers.
Thank you very much
Blair.
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Hi Ugachuga
I apologize for the delay in posting the next volume of the setting journals.
I'm going to do my best to get #6 online over the weekend.
Thanks very much
Blair.
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Hello Hello
A room at the Inn at Arai can be had for JPY 14,000 single use, with nights preceding national holidays and Fridays Saturdays excluded
Ocean 11, speaking for myself, I don't know what the accountant was really thinking when I talked to him about our ticket prices.
Companies, in my experience, don't always share the numbers among their own employees.
Please understand that it is not possible for me to show you the numbers when I've never actually seen them myself.
Thank you very much
Blair.
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Hello Hello
Well, I've just talked with one of the accountants for his take on the ticket prices.
I was told that we tried the half price ticket policy for the first time two years ago, but the numbers from then indicated that the strategy failed to have a significant impact.
The company did not want to give up on the strategy, so we tried half price tickets again last year, but had similar results.
Our present strategy represents an effort to balance out the weekdays and weekend visitors by offering tickets at JPY 4,300 for day trippers and JPY 3,500 for hotel guests.
Time will tell if the present strategy is effective or not.
Thank you very much
Blair.
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Hi there
From Dec. 14th thru to Dec. 20th, ARAI is offering Gondola/Lift Day tickets for JPY 3,600.
The prices then go up to JPY 4,300 from December 21st thru to March 31, 2003. The ticket prices will then revert to JPY 3,600 from APRIL 1st to the close of the season.
Thank you very much
Blair.
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Hello Hello
Thanks again for keeping the thread " active", I'll do my best to check it on a daily basis from now on.
To answer the questions posed:
1. ARAI has discontinued last year's weekday discount policy and instead, among other things, lowered the price of day gondola/lift tickets from JPY 4,600 to JPY 4,300 for the coming season.
2. We're very sorry about our English web being down right now, but are in the process of coming back with an improved site. One of the main reasons for the new site is that ARAI wants to take a more active role in listening to what you all have to say.
Thank you very much
Blair.
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Hello Ocean 11
I plan to give the full story of why we're not opening early in the next column of the setting journals due out later this month.
Thank you very much
Blair.
FEATURE : Is spring season the start or the end? (The Setting Journals)
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
Hello
Ocean 11 & Shatterhand
I'd love to get out more during the season, but there is just too much that requires my attention in the village. As I've said before, some days it is difficult even getting to my desk, let alone out on the mountain. When I do get to my desk, there is always e-mail that has come in overnight which is waiting to be answered.
Basically, instead of getting out on the mountain myself more (like I used to do in the past), I get alot of pleasure from watching others get out there and enjoy themselves
(while knowing that I played a small role in making it all happen).
Fattwins
Though I cannot speak too much along the lines of a hostel, ARAI does have a Japanese restaurant called Nenohi that features an Izakaya style atmosphere(Nenohi is the name of our in-house Japanese Sake).
Blair.