Mountain Maker

You might have seen him around the mountain but didn’t take notice. For the past 45 years, he’s been the epitome of “behind the scenes.” Rob Sheridan, Senior Director of Mountain Maintenance, Operations, is the man who keeps the wheels turning at Blue Mountain Resort. Over the years he’s had his hands in every part of the resort’s modernization and development, and he understands the complexities of mountain operations better than anyone.

Sheridan is mild-mannered and easy to get along with, somehow finding the time to chat with guests while he makes his rounds, walkie-talkie in hand, solving problems before they begin. Just like the resort itself, Rob works at all hours of the day and night with dedication and commitment. A gifted technician, he’s the guy who can tell you exactly what parts are needed to fix a chairlift, but also the one who will take time and pleasure decorating a Ridge Runner cart for a deserving child on a trip with her family.

Roger Klein: What was your first job at Blue Mountain Resort?
Rob Sheridan: In 1977, at the age of 12, I started working on the Apple Bowl Poma lift. I showed up at Blue Mountain to ski, and Bill Skelton didn’t have enough staff to run the lifts and offered me a job for two dollars an hour. After finishing high school, I worked on a farm but also worked lifts for night skiing on the O-Hill double. In 1984 I decided to work the winter at Blue Mountain full-time and was offered a year-round position as Blue Mountain began expanding their operations.

RK: Tell us about your first mentors at Blue.
RS: I knew when I began working full-time in 1984 that I would be around for quite a while. Over the years I have had a lot of mentors, including Bill Skelton, VP of Operations at the time, who could see the potential in me early on and had a huge impact on me as I began my career. Next, Harvie Reekie, Master Electrician, taught me to take pride in what you do. Lastly, Janek Kepka, Poma Engineer, taught me everything about lifts, beginning with laying out the placement of a lift to loading the guests and everything in between.

RK: BMR hires many youth for various jobs, from ski instructing to retail and mountain operations. What advice would you offer them as they start out?
RS: If I can offer anything it would be to work hard, play hard, and take pride in everything you do.

RK: When you look around at all of the changes that have taken place at BMR over the past 20 years, what are you most proud of, and why?
RS: There are so many changes that I am proud of. If I had to narrow it down to a few, the realignment of high-speed lifts and trails to maximize uphill capacity has had a significant impact on our operations and success. Next would be the addition of summer attractions to be able to satisfy our guests all year round. Lastly would have to be the fact that we look after all of our own installations, whether it’s pouring concrete for a lift, or installing Ontario’s first mountain coaster. We take pride in ownership and learn from each installation and the process along the way.

RK: Blue Mountain has become the largest destination resort in the province and you have overseen many of the technical achievements that have made that possible. What are your top three priorities when taking on a new project?
RS: When taking on new projects we are usually looking towards improving efficiencies, satisfying our guests by bringing new and exciting experiences, and keeping up-to-date with standards and technical advances in the industry.

RK: Keeping things going often requires some improvising. What was your favourite “MacGyver” fix ever?
RS: Every day requires some sort of “MacGyver.” Every day brings new challenges that often happen before the guests load the first chair. From the weather, to snowmaking leaks, to groomer issues, to iced lifts, you never know what the next day will bring. Although the time before the lifts start turning is often busy, I always find time to stop and take a photo when there’s a perfect Georgian Bay sunrise.

RK: What are some of your favourite activities and local places when you take time for yourself away from the resort?
RS: I always try to get away camping in the summer. Some of my favourite campgrounds are along the Lake Huron shoreline.

RK: What’s your idea of a great vacation?
RS: I have had the opportunity to travel all across North America with my family and usually can even find a ski resort or two to visit along the way. My job has taken me on many “vacations,” including all over Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, Tennessee, Washington, Vermont, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Pennsylvania, New York, New Orleans, and New Zealand.

RK: If you had only one, which hand tool would you choose, a Vise-Grip or Leatherman?
RS: I’d have to say a Leatherman because they come with a carrying case and have a lot more versatility, but you’ll never catch me without my Swiss Army knife.