Vail Resorts Fit to Ride Program
Summary
At the Vail Resorts® family of companies (collectively “Vail Resorts”), we consider safety for employees
and guests our number one priority. Ensuring employees are capable of performing physically demanding
jobs is an important factor in our ability to fulfill this commitment. For some time now, we have been
working hard to develop the Fit to Ride Program that will further our commitment to safety and wellness.
We have now completed this work and are implementing this exciting new Program for our 2011/2012
season. This Program Summary provides general information about the Program, explaining, among
other things, the positions involved, the type of testing to be conducted, and any consequences of failing
to satisfactorily complete the Program. We thank the many team members who have made this Program
possible and continue to work to make our vision for increased safety and wellness a reality.
Positions Covered by the Program
The Fit to Ride Program covers all ski patrol, ski and ride school, and mountain safety positions at Vail,
Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge, Heavenly and Northstar-at-Tahoe resorts (collectively, we refer to
these as the “covered positions”). We have chosen these positions because they are among the most
physically demanding at our resorts and the risks posed to employees and guests are considerable if
individuals do not have the physical ability to perform essential job functions. Additional skiing and riding
positions may be added to the Program during subsequent seasons. As an accurate job analysis forms
the foundation of any physical ability testing program, our safety team has worked with outside
consultants to: 1) identify the physical demands required to safely perform the essential functions of these
positions; and 2) develop tests that accurately simulate in a controlled environment the required level of
physical ability.
Three Components of the Assessment Program
The Fit to Ride Program includes three distinct components: 1) a Fitness Certification; 2) a Functional
Movement Screening (FMS); and 3) a medical evaluation. Vail Resorts pays the costs of participating in
these assessments. All applicants seeking employment in the covered positions must complete all three
components. Existing employees working in a covered position and employees returning to a covered
position that they held the prior season, referred to throughout this summary as “existing/returning
employees,” must complete the first component, the Fitness Certification, and have the option to
participate in the second testing component, the FMS. Existing/returning employees do not participate in
the medical evaluation component of the Program. The following further describes each of the three
testing components.
1. The Fitness Certification
The Fitness Certification is a series of seven distinct assessments replicating the physical demands
involved in the covered ski and ride positions including but not limited to actually skiing and riding. It
includes the following tests:
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Quadrant Jump Test: This test assesses an individual’s agility, replicating the physical demands
posed by stopping, turning, changing directions suddenly, adapting to uneven, varying terrain,
and moving in both directions.
Box Test: This test assesses an individual’s lifting ability, replicating the physical demands posed
by lifting ski and ride equipment, on-mountain equipment such as signage, bamboo or tools,
children or adult guests, or toboggans while aiding guests.
Balance Test: This test assesses an individual’s balance, replicating the physical demands
posed by changing direction and moving laterally, terrain changes especially when they are
unexpected due to poor visibility, and navigating ski runs.
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Step Test: This test assesses an individual’s aerobic efficiency, replicating the physical demands
and simulating the metabolic equivalents (METS) posed by skiing or riding for long periods of
time or on challenging or difficult terrain.
Sit and Reach Test: This test assesses an individual’s flexibility, replicating the physical
demands posed by changing direction and moving laterally, terrain changes, and lifting, carrying
and holding.
Curl up Test: This test assesses an individual’s strength and endurance, replicating the physical
demands posed by lifting, lowering and carrying equipment, skiing and riding for extended
periods, and avoiding and recovering from a fall.
Push Up Test: This test also assesses an individual’s strength and endurance, replicating the
physical demands posed by changing direction and moving laterally, terrain changes, and lifting,
carrying and holding.
No medical measurements are taken during these tests. Each test has its own scoring method and
pass/fail criteria. As noted above, all individuals desiring employment in one of the covered positions
must successfully complete all of the assessments that comprise the Fitness Certification. Applicants who
do not successfully complete the Fitness Certification will not be asked to participate in the FMS or
Medical Evaluation.
Applicants or existing/returning employees who do not successfully complete the Fitness Certification
component may attempt to successfully complete the Fitness Certification component a second time
within 30 days.
2. The Functional Movement Screen
Explained simply, the FMS is a ranking and grading system that documents movement patterns that are
critical to normal function. Functional limitations or asymmetries (imbalances) identified in the FMS are
generally considered to increase the risk of injury and/or reduce the benefits of training and conditioning
unless corrected through exercise. As a result, we use FMS to both identify an applicant’s injury risks
and provide applicants and employees insights into functional limitations or imbalances that might be
improved through corrective exercises.
Applicants who perform poorly on the FMS are not automatically denied employment in a covered
position; rather, they are closely evaluated in the Medical Evaluation component of the Fit to Ride
Program to ensure their functional limitations or imbalances do not impose an unacceptable risk of injury
in covered positions. If individuals embrace recommended corrective exercises, the FMS also is likely to
improve their movement patterns, which, in turn, are likely to enhance health, wellness and safety both in
and outside of work. We suspect many employees may find the FMS program to be a valuable benefit for
improving their overall health and wellness and/or athletic performance; this is another reason why we
feel the FMS is a unique assessment device providing benefits not normally found in other traditional
medical or clinical evaluations.
The FMS consists of seven different assessments. Each reveals functional weaknesses and imbalances
if appropriate stability and mobility (i.e., body mechanics) are not used, even in individuals who ski or ride
at very high levels. Essentially, the FMS helps identify poor bio-mechanics, which, if not addressed,
impair athletic performance/work productivity and/or increase risk of injury. The following seven tests
collectively comprise the FMS:
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Test #1: Deep Squat: This test is used to assess bilateral, symmetrical, mobility of the hips,
knees, and ankles, as well as the bilateral, symmetrical mobility of the shoulders and the thoracic
spine. Poor performance on this test can result from limited mobility in the upper torso which
might be attributed to poor glenohumeral and/or thoracic spine mobility or limited mobility in the
lower extremity including poor closed-kinetic chain dorsi-flexion of the ankle and/or poor flexion of
the hip.
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Test #2: Hurdle Step: This test is used to assess bilateral mobility and stability of the hips, knees
and ankles. Poor performance on this test may simply be due to poor stability of the stance leg or
poor mobility of the step leg. However, imposing maximal hip flexion of one leg while maintaining
apparent hip extension of the opposite leg requires an individual to demonstrate relative,
asymmetric hip mobility.
Test #3: In-Line Lunge: This test is used to assess bilateral mobility and stability, as well as
ankle and knee stability. Poor performance on this test can result from several factors including:
a) inadequate hip mobility of either the stance or step leg; b) the stance leg knee or ankle not
having the required stability as the lunge is performed; c) an imbalance between adductor
weakness and abductor tightness about one or more hips; and/or d) tightness of the rectus
femoris on the stance leg.
Test #4: Shoulder Mobility: This test is used to assess bilateral shoulder range of motion
combining internal rotation with adduction and external rotation with abduction. Poor
performance of this test can result from several factors including: a) increased external rotation
being gained at the expense of internal rotation in overhead throwing athletes; b) postural
changes of forward or rounded shoulders caused by excessive development and shortening of
the pectoralis minor and/or latissimus dorsi muscles; and/or c) a scapulothoracic dysfunction
resulting in decreased glenohumeral mobility.
Test #5: Active Straight Leg Raise: This test is used to assess active hamstring and
gastroc/soleus flexibility, while maintaining a stable pelvis. Poor performance during this test can
be the result from several factors including: a) poor functional hamstring flexibility; and/or b)
inadequate passive mobility of the opposite hip which may be the result of iliopsoas tightness
associated with an anterior tilted pelvis. A combination of both these factors will demonstrate an
athlete's relative bilateral, asymmetric hip mobility. This is similar to the relative hip mobility
revealed by the Hurdle Step, however, this test is more specific to the limitations imposed by the
muscles of the hamstrings and the iliopsoas.
Test #6: Trunk Stability Push-Up: This test is used to assess trunk stability in the sagittal plane
while a symmetrical upper extremity motion is performed. Poor performance during this test can
be simply attributed to poor symmetric stability of the trunk stabilizers.
Test #7: Rotational Stability: This test is used to assess multi-planar stability while a combined
upper and lower extremity motion is performed. Poor performance during this test can be simply
attributed to poor asymmetric stability of the trunk stabilizers.
Each FMS test is scored using a scale of 0-3. A “3” is given if the individual can perform the movement
without any compensation according to the established criteria. A “2” is given if the individual can perform
the movement but must use poor mechanics and compensatory patterns to accomplish the movement. A
“1” is given if the individual cannot perform the movement pattern even with compensations. A “0” is
given if the individual has pain during any part of the movement or test. Applicants scoring a “0” on any
test would be referred for close evaluation by the Occupational Health professional during the Medical
Evaluation component of the Assessment Program. If applicants score higher than “0” but less than “3” on
any of the FMS they would be given a voluntary corrective exercise program to help improve any
deficiencies they may have.
3. The Medical Evaluation
The Medical Evaluation is the third and final component of the Fit to Ride Program. Only applicants are
required to participate in the Medical Evaluation. Applicants will participate in the Medical Evaluation only
after they successfully complete both the Fitness Certification and participate in the FMS portions of the
program. Applicants must successfully complete the Medical Evaluation before they begin working.
The Medical Evaluation may include one or two parts: 1) a medical evaluation; and 2) a baseline medical
test. The medical evaluation is conducted by a medical professional and is designed to confirm that
applicants have the physical ability to perform essential job functions safely and successfully. Applicants
complete a job related medical questionnaire, which is then provided to the medical professional
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conducting the evaluation. The medical professional reviews the completed questionnaire as well as the
results of the Fitness Certification and FMS. Depending on the information provided, the medical
professional may conduct other physical assessments to confirm the applicant’s ability to work safely.
Baseline medical tests are only given to applicants seeking employment at Colorado Resorts. The
medical professional uses the completed medical questionnaire to establish and record the applicant’s
baseline functional abilities and/or limitations. The baseline information collected will consist of knee and
shoulder range of motion but may also include other physical assessments based on the Occupational
Physician’s review of the medical questionnaire and/or test results as it relates to the covered position.
The medical professional will report to the resort-specific Vail Resorts’ Human Resources Department
whether applicants satisfactorily complete the Medical Evaluation. When making that report, the medical
professional will not disclose medical information about applicants who satisfactorily complete the Medical
Evaluation. However, to facilitate any legally required discussion of reasonable accommodations and/or
individualized medical assessments, the medical professional will advise Human Resources if he/she
believes the applicant’s physical deficits are caused by an obvious or known medical condition or injury.
In turn, Human Resources will communicate with applicants as necessary to fulfill any obligations under
the Americans with Disabilities Act or other applicable state or local laws.
Consequences of Not Successfully Completing the Fit to Ride Program
Applicants or existing/returning employees who do not successfully complete the Fit to Ride Program will
not be placed/returned in that position and will be ineligible to be employed in the position covered by the
Program until the following season. The Company will provide reasonable accommodations whenever
necessary to otherwise qualified individuals who cannot successfully complete the Fit to Ride Program
because of a disability. If there is no reasonable accommodation available with respect to positions
included in the Fit to Ride Program, employees may have the option of working in other open positions for
which they are qualified and applicants are encouraged to apply for other open positions.
Compliance with Federal, State and Local Law
Vail Resorts is committed to ensuring that the Fit to Ride Program complies with applicable federal, state
and local laws and regulations. These laws include, but are not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII). Through careful design, the Fit to Ride
Program actually guards against intentional discrimination by providing an ordered evaluation process
that applies to all individuals who seek employment in the covered positions. The Fit to Ride Program
also produces an objective, documented, and verifiable reason for failing to hire individuals.
Reasonable Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities
If, due to a physical or mental disability, applicants need an accommodation to participate in the Fit to
Ride Program, they should advise Human Resources as soon as they become aware of the need for an
accommodation. Accommodations could include, for example, assistance in hearing, speaking, or
reading of written instructions. If applicants believe a physical or mental disability prevents them from
satisfying the physical demands being measured and evaluated through the Fit to Ride Program, they
must tell this to Human Resources as soon as they become aware of this limitation. Thereafter, they
should share any suggested accommodations they believe will enable them, notwithstanding the
limitations posed by the disability, to safely and successfully perform the essential functions of the
position they are seeking.
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Confidentiality and Privacy Safeguards
Applicant medical questionnaires and medical information will be retained by the Testing Provider and,
unless necessary to facilitate a reasonable accommodation analysis or other compliance efforts, will not
be shared with any Vail Resorts employee during the hiring process. If applicants are offered
employment, the medical questionnaire may be disclosed to Vail Resorts personnel when doing so is jobrelated and consistent with business necessity. Individuals may be asked to sign authorizations for the
release of medical information where necessary to comply with federal, state or local law.
Testing Providers
All testing will be conducted under the direction of MountainWest Corporate Health, LLC (MountainWest).
MountainWest is an award-winning diversified fitness and wellness company dedicated to providing
organizations with a variety of high quality health and fitness programs delivered onsite for the
organization. MountainWest will coordinate the testing program with various local providers for each
resort. All testers will be pre-qualified and trained specifically to the Vail Resorts testing program prior to
being accepted as a tester
If You Have Questions
This is a new program and we realize you may have questions. Please feel free to send an email to
[email protected] or contact your local Human Resources representative and/or Health and
Safety Manager.
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