May 6th Update

We found the employee dinning room - Michael Hobbs, CBV AGM looking for the path to the marina.  

WARNING

If you are driving in really watch out for the bison and elk migration.  Because of all the snow the migration is late this year.  Last night's trip up from Gros Ventre was like riding thru a zoo, lots of Elk, Moose and Bison.

All of these guys are bigger than a car and will ruin your day if you hit one so pay attention and be safe. 

 

Employee RV Park Preview

 

With enough effort, anyone can dig a hole in the snow for an RV!

 

"Summer Saved By Bob Brannon"

After a desperate plea for warm palm tree pictures

Bob Brannon from the Activities Desk has saved us!

Tabago Key

Jealousy has set in, it's not my boat in the background!

WOW - Just got Back from Colter!

We took another tour of Colter this morning and it's still winter! 

But we are digging out a spoon full at a time......

I know everyone want's to see summer pictures but these are worth taking a look at. 

200 Row Cabin - kids can play in the snow!

Colter Bay Marina - note tops of gas pumps finally sticking out of the snow.

Marina Store & Shop

Someone better send some pictures of some palm trees to put in here, we are jinxed with winter! 

 

Teton National Park Access

All National Parks Charge an Entrance Fee

As an employee of the Grand Teton Lodge Company, Colter Bay Village

you will receive a free pass for the season to Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.  To get your pass check in with Security at Jackson Lake Lodge with your drivers license and proof of insurance and they will give you a sticker.

Your first time to the park entrance all you need to do is tell the friendly NPS ranger that you are working here for the summer and they will let you in for free.  

SHARE A RIDE & EXPENSES

 

GAS IS EXPENSIVE UNTIL YOU GET TO WYOMING SO IF YOU WANT TO SHARE A RIDE LET US KNOW.

WE WILL MAKE SURE YOUR NAME AND LOCATION IS KNOWN TO EVERYONE 

EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

BRING YOUR CAMERA

WE ARE HAVING A COLTER BAY VILLAGE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME MONTHLY PHOTO CONTEST!

IN THE TETONS WORKING IS SECOND TO HAVING A GREAT SUMMER FULL OF EXPERIENCES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME.  

PLAYING HARD AND WORKING HARD REALLY DOES HAPPEN IN THE TETONS

THERE WILL BE GREAT MONTHLY PRIZES AND WE WILL CROWN THE WINNER FOR THE SEASON AT THE YEAR END RENDEVOUS PARTY.

PLAN ON BEING ACTIVE

PLAN ON LOTS OF ACTIVITIES

FREE ACTIVITIES FOR EMPLOYEES

RAFTING, KAYAKING, CANOEING, LAKE TOURS, HORSEBACK RIDING AND MORE. 

TONS OF EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED EACH WEEK.

TETON VISITORS CENTER

 

 

NEW FREE BUS RIDE DEAL FOR EMPLOYEES

STARTING IN JUNE ALL TRANS WILL BE GOING TO JACKSON 5 TIMES A DAY FROM COLTER BAY VILLAGE

AS AN EMPLOYEE YOU CAN RIDE FOR FREE TO JACKSON, JACKSON LAKE LODGE, SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, JENNY LAKE, THE VISITORS CENTER AND IF YOU REMEMBER TO CATCH THE BUS YOU CAN RIDE HOME FOR FREE THIS IS A $45.00 VALUE

BRING A BIKE TO COLTER

 

The easiest Way to get around Colter is by BIKE or on foot. 

Bring your bike & if you have an old classic just hanging around throw it in as well.   We have some great exchange students coming in for the summer that would love to have a bike to ride for the summer.  You could donate a bike and make a new friend!

Welcome To Colter Bay Village - Getting Here

The easiest way to figure out what you need, how to get here, when to arrive, how to get from the airport or Jackson to Colter Bay and how to get into the park can be found in the package sent to you by Human Resources. 

  READ IT BEFORE LEAVING FOR COLTER BAY!

I know it's against the rules to read directions so please make an exception and read everything sent to you by Human Resources.

Great non-reader items from last year!

1) Nobody is at the airport to pick me up?   Did you call or let us know what time your flight is arriving - answer "no"  Our wonderful transportation staff will pick you up if they know when you are coming.

2)  I didn't bring my identification for check in - duh - well you can wait to have it FEDEX'd from home before you can check in.

3)  HAIRCUTS - Read the grooming section in the information sent to you by Human Resources -  the closest barber shop is in Jackson and it's expensive or you can get a bad haircut for $12.00.   You can't check in if you don't meet the grooming standards

4)  DRUG TESTING - DRUG TESTING - DRUG TESTING

Everyone is in a Random Testing program all the time, if you have an accident while working you will be tested.   

If you work in the MARINA 100% of the staff are tested the first week of working and 25% are tested each month.  

Bottom line, if you are into the drug scene this is not a great place for you so just let us know you won't be coming for the summer! 

COLTER IS DIGGING OUT

COLTER BAY CABIN OFFICE

400 ROW OF CABINS - YOU CAN SNOW SHOE TO CABIN TOPS

MARINA PARKING LOT - AT LEAST 6' OF SNOW

Winter in the Tetons

NO NEED TO EXPLAIN THESE

Ox Bow

Near Gros Ventre Campground 

It's Mangy Moose Season

Employee Housing at Colter

Employee Housing April 6th, 2011

First Dig Out

Wilda's Office and Rec Center

Housing

Employee RV Park Entrance

 

Employee RV Site - just get a run at it!

HR Dan Waite Returns to Florida

Good news for HR Director Dan Waite, he has a new job near his Naples Florida home and family.  Bad news for us, Dan actually chose the beach and sun over minus temps and snow at GTLC.  We all pitched in and bought Dan a ticket home that made it to Naples with him.   It was minus 25 the day I opened Dan's email with this pic in it.

 

What on Earth is "TASC"

"TASC"

Is an acronym that stands for ...........as you can see it will be a "key" ingredient to our success this summer.   Your managers are trying to figure out what "TASC" stands for and need your help!

Welcome To The Team

60 Days To Go

until the first employees start the 

2011 Colter Bay Season

We still need Wranglers so if you know someone that loves horses and people and wants to spend the summer in the Tetons have them call or email Anna Dominy at 307 543 3067 or adominy@gtlc.com

The rest of the jobs at Colter are filled with the occasional change.  If yo have not returned your paperwork to HR please do so now or chance loosing your spot before you get started.

If you are new to the Blog please take a minute to cruise thru the past postings to get caught up! 

More Winter Fun - GTLC gang goes skiing!

Check this vid from last weekend up at Togwotee,  don't be fooled by the ease of the hike, these guys are going up hill at 8,500 feet in skinny air.  
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnPXaQ7zkXY

EMPLOYEE Housing News

Wilda Kelly Returns

for 2011

As you can see, Tim finally bought a nice new truck and rv for Wilda. 

For all of you new bees coming in for the 2011 Season, the easiest thing to know about housing is that it is Wilda's Colter Bay Lodge, not just housing.    

Wilda is the mom, boss, sheriff, Queen of  the Roost, and as you can imagine, if Wilda's not happy nobodies happy!  

She will take great care of you and so you need to take great care of her! 

More & More 2011 Crew Members For Colter

Cafe Court Cashiers
Linda Beaudoin & Gail Stairs
Camp Ground News
Buddy Kisner has joined the Campground staff, Buddy has been working the marina store for the last few years, this will be his 8th year at Colter. 
Roger Stairs joins the RV Park crew
Rachel Saunders described as a good ol Tennessee red-neck gal will manage Tent Village along with Doug Bentley.
Gail Stairs joins Tent Village.
Marina Crew Additions
James Gronewald
Lester Betty
Jill Dominy
Wranglers at Colter will be led by Angela Jensen, the crew is still small with Aaryn Maloney and Hilary David

HELP WANTED

WE NEED WRANGLERS

REQUIREMENTS

• Recognize the south end of a north bound horse
• Love to work with horses & PEOPLE
• Love to shovel fertilizer
• Looking for an Experience of a Lifetime 

 


 

More 2011 Crew Members For Colter

Lots of new and returning crew for the year! 
Cabins Front Desk
Polly Duden -
 Housekeeping Department
Jeff Kosick
Deniz Gokce
The housekeeping staff will be made up of exchange students from China and from our Vail Resort, Half Moon Bay in Jamaica  
Ranch House and Cafe Court
Lots of returning staff from the last few years and a few new folks......
Scott Morse will join the team as manager for both restaurants, Scott spent 8 years with Disney in F & B ops and is an instructor for a hospitality school in Greece.  
Scott has four assistant managers that will help him run both restaurants.   They are
Jamie Sloman

Jenifer Bethel

Mario Daily

Daniel Stoker

Wait Staff

Guy Palilla

Cheryl Harmon
Jonathon Gosch
Sally Sandner
Sean MacReynolds
Carly Anderson
Andrew Ho-Lang
Adam Webster
Shannet Palmer
Joann Staniszewski
Allison Van Hook
Dina Smirnova
Jackie Monoxelos
Bartenders
Brijendar Ankodia
Dave Palillia
Busser Crew - The same busser crew from 2010 is returning for 2011...... 
Vaska, Darko, Krista,  Maya, Daniel and Blagica 

Another Warm Week At Colter

For all of you that think 40 is cold, burrrrrr,  we actually hit minus 30.   

A Texan Learns to SKI

Logan Steffans, a real TEXAN disproved the theory that Texans can't ski,  he is either really brave or just plain foolish, or lucky or ......!   For all you newbees to Colter, Logan was my AGM at Colter last year and is now the Rooms Division Manager at Jackson Lake Lodge.   I wanted to make sure he got his monies worth so took him to the top of the Gondola,  he made it to the bottom with only one crash!

It was another beautiful day in Jackson Hole, this pic is looking from the Gondola down the valley to Jackson.

The old guy laughing at Logan! 

Even More Great Staff

Terry Faber - returning Deck Hand Marina.
Tony Howell -returning Deck Hand Marina.
Jill Dominy - new Deck Hand Marina - Caution - This is Anna Dominy's sister.
Pat "Dirty Shirt" Brady - Fishing Guide.
Phil "Clean Boat" Parsons

I have over 600 applications so far and really am happy to have everyone on board.  

More Great Colter Bay Crew

More and More.
Brijendar Ankodia "BJ" Bartender returning .
Dave Palillia Bartender returning from 2009 season.
Gail Stairs Cashier Cafe Court.
Roberta Tumalo returning Campground Lead.
Jim Barr returning Campground Lead.
Don Lucier returning Campground
Bob Davis returning Campground - Bob has a world class collection of wildlife photos as in animals, not employee housing.
Ahmet Ucar returning Campground.
Vasyl Fedorchuk returning Campground.
Zella Barr returning RV Park Supervisor.
Penelope Law returning RV.
Roger Stairs new to RV.
Rachael Saunders returning to Colter to Tent Village Manager
Doug Bentley returning to Supervisor Tent Village.
Gail Stairs new to Tent Village.
More on the Next Post

Lots of New and Returning Folks

I'm sure you have all been wondering how this year's crop of employees are shaping up.  First some changes from last year.
Mercedes Jordana is moving from the Ranch House Restaurant Mgr to Housekeeping Mgr at Jenny Lake Lodge.   Ben and Jean Doyle will not be returning this year because Ben returned home and discovered that he has cancer,  Ben is in a real fight with this beast.   Our thoughts and prayers are out there for Ben & Jean.

Here is the current list of returnees and newbees since the last post.
Michael Hobbs - Colter Assistant GM - Michael has been with GTLC in numerous rolls from dog catcher to Mural Room management over the last 10 years.  I look forward to having Michael at Colter
.
Julie Keane returning to Front Desk.
Sharon Keegan returning to Front Desk.
Tessa Johnson - new to Front Desk.
John "RED DOG" Duncan returning to Night Audit.
Melissa McMurtrey  returning to be our new Housekeeping Manager - set records for typing with all of her fingers in 2010.
Ranch House Assistant Managers.
Jamie Sloman from Michigan and part of the Vail Management development program
Jennifer Bethel returning from last year promoted
Daniel Stoker returning from last year promoted
Mario Daley returning from last year promoted
 Ranch House Staff
Sandra Bell returning
Guy Palilla - returning from the 2009 season
Sally Sandner - returning   MORE to follow - Next post

HOMADE COLTER WINTER VIDEO

Our Director of Sales and Marketing did a little X Country skiing at Colter and made this HO Made Movie

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWtx-BaXBwg

Winter on Staff Street

Someone asked about Staff Street during the winter,  the snow is fake and we photo shopped the palm trees out of the picture.

Gros Ventre Moose

If this is your first year at CBV you need to visit the Gros Ventre (Grow Vant) campground area on the way to Jackson and look for moose & bison.  Here are a couple of Gros Ventre Managers Steve and Doris's moose.  Looks like mom and a yearling, mom's packing another calf.   For the marina staff, the white stuff is snow!

For All of YOU stuck in the snow remember summer is coming.

2011 Staffing Moving Forward

I will attempt to keep everyone up to date with our new staff for 2011 as we move closer to opening for the new year.   Here are our returning folks that have already committed to show up again.   If you want to share your email or phone numbers post them to the Blog........  
Colter Bay Assistant General Manager - Interviews in Process but close!
Julia Keane - Front Desk Supervisor
Sharon Keegan - Front Desk Supervisor
Melissa McMurtrey - Executive Housekeeper - promoted from Launderette Mgr
Food & Beverage Manager - Interviews in Process - This manager will manage the Ranch House and Cafe Court
Jennifer Bethel - Assistant Manager - Food & Beverage - promoted from Server
Brijendar Ankodia (BJ) - Bartender
Tim Kelly - Campground Manager
Bobbie Tumalo - Campground Lead Attendant
Jim Barr - Campground Lead Attendant
Don Lucier - Campground Attendant
Dave Bryant - RV Park Manager
Doug Bentley - Tent Village Supervisor
Ridge Gardner - Marina Manager
Capt Ron Lien - Goat Captain
Capt Brent Price - Boat Captain
Capt Jim Bathhurst - Boat Captain
Pat "Grumpy" Brady - Fishing Guide
Phil Parsons - Fishing Guide
Wilda Kelly - Employee Village Manager - the bravest manager of them all.

More returnees are in the works.