At Vail Resorts, our core values guide and ground us and our work. Last winter, more than 1,000 team members were recognized for putting service-based leadership into action. Twenty-five team members were recognized as Epic Service winners for their emotional intelligence, inclusivity and operational excellence. Now, we’re excited to tell their stories throughout the winter season.
Meet Dakota – He works in Entry Lift Electronics for Lift Maintenance and made a big impact on one of Mount Snow’s youngest guests. Hunter, a four-year-old, first-time snowboarding student was having a tough morning and wasn’t convinced he enjoyed snowboarding just yet. While in the learning area with his instructor, Hunter spotted Dakota’s snowmobile he uses for transport while working, just outside the learning area fence. Dakota noticed how badly Hunter wanted to figure out a way around the fence to see the snowmobile up close and stopped what he was doing to escort Hunter and his instructor over to the snowmobile. Dakota patiently answered all of Hunter’s questions and even let him pretend to drive the machine. Dakota was nominated for his Epic Service that day by a teammate, Tera. Tera says “Because Dakota took the time to meet the needs of one of Mount Snow’s youngest customers, Hunter’s day turned around and he LOVES snowboarding...Hunters’ family, who were watching, were impressed with the attention and care that Dakota took with their special needs son, an experience that they are not always accustomed to. [He went] above and beyond his job duties to really make an Experience of a Lifetime for this family.” Great work, Dakota!
Get to know a little more about Dakota:
Epic Insider: What do you love the most about your job?
Dakota: I'm an outdoorsy person so not being stuck at a computer all day is great for me, huge props to those that do but I'll stand outside in any weather any day and be happy to just be outside.
Epic Insider: How did it feel to win the Epic Service award and trip?
Dakota: Getting the award was a shock to me because I was just trying to help a kiddo have a good day! But to then be awarded later with the trip was an awesome surprise!
Epic Insider: What are you most excited about for the 2023-24 winter season?
Dakota: Vermont is projecting for a VERY snowy winter so it'll be great if I can get some of those hopeful pow days lined up with my days off.
Epic Insider: How would you describe your experience on the Epic Service trip to Vail Mountain?
Dakota: Unironically, the experience of a lifetime; shout-out to Helen and Allison for helping this introverted lift mechanic come out of his shell!
Epic Insider: Where is your favorite place to play outside?
Dakota: The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness! I spent many summers working up there as a wilderness canoe guide and it's likely we're I'll summer when I retire eventually. Truly a majestic place.
Epic Insider: You’re about to head to that favorite place for a fun day - what’s your go-to snack to bring along?
Dakota: Hudson Bay Bread, for the unfamiliar it is a concoction of oats, honey, syrup, and butter. A calorie dense and sweet treat that can fuel you for miles as you paddle through the woods