Alpine Meadows Ski Resort: 1999-2004:
As Director of Mountain Operations directed all aspects of mountain operations, including ski patrol, lift maintenance, lift operations, snowmaking, snow removal, grooming, building construction and maintenance, environmental compliance and erosion control, ski area mountain planning and permitting, and guest and employee safety. Collaborated and assisted other departments to provide an enjoyable and safe experience for the guest.
1982-1999, Ski Patrol and Snow Safety Director: Directed all ski patrol operations. These included skier safety, hazard evaluation and mitigation, rescue and lift evacuation, avalanche forecasting and mitigation, and explosive and artillery use.
1976-1982, Assistant Director, Ski Patrol
1970-1976, Professional Ski Patroller
Independent Consultant: 1983-Present
As an independent consultant has provided risk and safety consulting and training to mountain resorts and ski areas. As an expert witness and litigation consultant has provided services in hundreds of litigation actions for both the defense and plaintiff.
Aon Risk Services:
Working as a consultant to Aon Risk Services provided risk and safety consulting and training to Aon’s insured resorts coast to coast in facets of mountain resort and ski operations. Clients included the Intrawest and Vail Resorts.
California Ski Area Association:
As the Technical Director of the CSIA Mr. Heywood developed, wrote and successfully worked and lobbied for implementation of the current California Cal Osha Avalanche Blasting Regulations. These Regulations provide the State’s avalanche workers with clear and detailed avalanche blasting regulations which have provided a safer working environment and a better understanding of safe avalanche blasting procedures. He organized and directed the Association’s annual Ski Area Operations and Safety Seminar. The multi day Seminar provided training and workshops in lift operations, lift maintance, ski patrol operations, grooming, snowmaking, terrain park operations, ski area safety and risk management. Also provided guidance ski area operations and safety issues.
National Ski Area Association:
As Chairman of the NSAA Explosive Committee Mr. Heywood developed and implemented guidelines for the safe and uniform use of explosives for avalanche control in U.S. ski areas. He facilitated acceptance of the NSAA Avalanche Blasting Guidelines with explosive manufacturers and State and Federal regulators. He has provided workshops throughout the western states educating avalanche workers on the NSAA Guidelines and safe and appropriate avalanche blasting procedures. He has also participated in numerous workshops on risk management, ski area operations, terrain park operations, tubing park operations, ski patrol operations and practices and guest and employee safety.
Association of Professional Patrollers:
Mr. Heywood is a member and Certified Patroller of the APP. He has instructed and provided guidance to the organization’s members in all aspects of avalanche phenomena, safety and avalanche mitigation procedures. He has also provided training to the patrol members in risk management, ski patrol procedures, and ski trail hazard identification and mitigation. The APP represents and provides training, education and certification to the professional ski patrollers in the western United States.
Outdoor Engineers/Inauen Schatti:
North American Technical Representative for the Austrian Company’s avalanche control explosive delivery systems. Provided guidance on site selection and system placement and Canadian and U.S. explosive regulations and compliance.
Sierra Avalanche Center:
Past President and Board member of the Board of Directors of the Sierra Avalanche Center. As Technical Advisor provided both technical expertise and guidance to the Center. Annually organizes the Center’s Avalanche Professional Development Workshops. The Sierra Avalanche Center provides backcountry avalanche advisories and public information for the Central and Northern Sierra.
American Avalanche Association:
As a charter member and past officer of the AAA Mr. Heywood participated in the development and implementation of numerous professional and public avalanche education and safety programs. Currently he is a Professional Member and Certified Instructor of the Association. In 1996 he received the prestigious Bernie Kingery Award from the American Avalanche Association for lifelong contributions in the avalanche field and community.
International Snow Science Workshop:
The ISSW is an international conference conducted biannually that focuses on snow and avalanche science, technology, safety, mitigation, and rescue. The attendees include academics, engineers, field practitioners, avalanche forecasters and researchers. Mr. Heywood is a member of the Steering Committee, was the Conference Director of the 1986 Lake Tahoe Workshop and has presented numerous papers during the past three decades.