Ski Resort Procurement FAQ: Window Cleaning, Oxygen, and Sustainability from an Admin Buyer’s Perspective

If you manage purchasing for a ski resort, you probably get asked about everything from window cleaning to medical oxygen. Here are the questions I've answered most often — and some I wish I'd known to ask sooner.

What is alpine window cleaning and why is it different from regular window cleaning?

Alpine window cleaning refers to cleaning windows on high-altitude buildings — think lodges, base stations, or mountaintop restaurants. The conditions are brutal: freezing temperatures, strong winds, and limited water supply. A regular window cleaner from town won't cut it. You need a crew trained in icy handrails, snow platforms, and special heating gear. I learned this the hard way when our regular guy slipped on a frosty ledge (luckily only his pride was hurt, but still).

What is alpine oxygen and when should my resort stock it?

Alpine oxygen is supplemental oxygen used at high elevations — typically above 2,500 meters — to prevent or treat altitude sickness. For resorts with upper lifts or summit restaurants, it's becoming standard to offer portable oxygen cans at rental shops or first-aid stations. We started stocking them after a guest fainted near the peak in 2023. Our local supplier (a medical distributor, not a novelty shop) gave us a bulk rate for 200 units — about $8 each (as of March 2025). Pro tip: Verify the supplier's certifications before ordering; last year a vendor sold us expired canisters that had to be thrown out.

How do I choose a reliable window cleaning vendor for our resort?

Don't go with the cheapest quote. I know, sounds like a cliché. But last season we saved $600 with a new vendor — then they showed up without ice climbing gear and couldn't even reach the upper windows. Now I check three things: alpine experience (how many seasons?), safety certifications (they need harnesses and rescue protocol), and invoicing capability (we had a vendor give handwritten receipts once — finance rejected it). Ask for references from other resorts. Take it from someone who's dealt with 12 vendors in 4 years: relationship consistency beats marginal savings.

What does "Skyward" mean for a ski resort?

In the ski industry, Skyward often refers to the lift management software used by many resorts to track tickets, capacity, and maintenance schedules. It's not a brand I buy as an admin — our operations team handles that — but I do get involved when we need to integrate Skyward with our HR and billing systems. The lesson: before buying any add-on module, confirm it talks to your existing ERP. We spent $3,000 on a "compatible" integration that turned out to need a custom developer (ouch).

How can I implement green initiatives in resort procurement?

Start small. Green doesn't mean expensive if you choose the right areas. For example, switch to eco-friendly window cleaning solutions (biodegradable, no harsh chemicals) — we did that and the mountain water runoff actually improved. Also, consolidate orders to reduce deliveries. Our resort cut 25% of truck trips by batching purchases (note to self: negotiate bulk discounts). But don't fall for everything labeled green — we once bought compostable toilet paper that disintegrated before use (ugh). Verify certifications like Green Seal or Energy Star.

What is skiing? (Yes, some new admins actually ask)

If you're new to resort procurement and need to know the basics: skiing is gliding downhill on snow using skis attached to boots. That matters for purchasing because the gear (skis, poles, boots, helmets) has different suppliers for rental vs. retail. If you're asked to buy skis for the rental shop, you'll need to work with wholesale distributors like Rossignol or K2. I don't buy skis directly — that's handled by the rental manager — but I know the pricing cycles: order in spring for autumn delivery (20-30% cheaper than in-season).

Should I consolidate oxygen and medical supplies with one vendor?

Be careful here. Oxygen supply is a regulated medical product in most countries. A vendor that does window cleaning and oxygen delivery might not have the right licenses for both. I'd rather split: one specialist for oxygen (with proper certifications) and another for cleaning supplies. The vendor who told me "we can do everything" later admitted they subcontracted oxygen to a third party — meaning I had no control over quality. My rule: specialists who know their limits earn my trust. If a vendor says "this isn't our strength, here's who does it better," I'll give them more business for what they are good at.

How do I handle rush orders for unexpected needs (e.g., broken window on opening day)?

We didn't have a formal rush order process until a snowplow cracked the lodge window in December. Cost us $2,000 in overtime to get a local glazier out. Now I keep a list of emergency vendors with guaranteed call-back times. For window cleaning specifically, I pre-negotiate a seasonal maintenance contract that includes two rush cleanings per year. Saves negotiation time and keeps my GM happy (she hates dealing with last-minute stuff).