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VAIL RESORTS TO BUY WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

On August 8, Vail Resorts bought Whistler Blackcomb in a cash and stock deal worth USD$1.056 billion. The transaction is expected to close this fall. Product integration isn’t going to happen immediately; Whistler Blackcomb will honor its existing season pass products through the 2016-17 season, including the Mountain Collective Pass. VR plans to add Whistler Blackcomb to its Epic Pass and other pass products for the 2017-18 season.

ECHO MOUNTAIN TO BE SOLD

After filing for bankruptcy in February, Echo Mountain is under contract to be sold to SkiEcho, LLC for $3.8 million. SkiEcho is managed by 27-year-old Peter Burwell, son of the late Rod Burwell, a Minnesota philanthropist who owned several hotels in Aspen. The sale would pay back all the secured and unsecured creditors, and includes 226 acres and all the facility’s equipment, pending approval by the bankruptcy court.

MT. BALDY, B.C., GETS NEW OWNER

In late June, Mt. Baldy got new owners, who plan to revive the ski area after several years of financial instability. The area was placed under receivership in 2014 and did not open in 2015-16. The court approved the sale of Mt. Baldy to a group led by Victor Tsao for $3.4 million—a steal considering the booming real estate market in the province. The property will do business as Baldy Mountain Resort. Joey O’Brien has been appointed managing director. Previously, O’Brien was CEO of Fortress Mountain, Alberta, and owned Ski Mattock in Nova Scotia for 24 years. Mt. Baldy expects to operate for the 2016-17 season.

People

In the East, John Santaniello is now managing director at Omni Mount Washington Resort. … Mount Sunapee, N.H., hired Megan Burch as the new director of sales and marketing. … Gunstock, N.H., has promoted Danielle Cyr to marketing manager and welcomed Ben Jensen as retail manager. … Sunday River, Maine, welcomes Matt Erickson as its new snowsports school director. … Alex Hemlin joined Carrabassett Valley Academy in Maine as its new ski cross head coach.

Burleigh Sunflower has joined Okemo, Vt., as the integrated marketing manager. … Mount Snow, Vt., welcomed new communications manager Jamie Storrs.

At the Vermont Ski Areas Association, Sarah Wojcik has assumed the newly created role of director of marketing and communications. Chloe Elliott is communications manager, joining Adam Rowe, who started as marketing manager in April.

In the Midwest, Vail Resorts named Chris Sorensen GM of Mt. Brighton, Mich. Sorenson takes over for Taylor Ogilvie, who is now GM of Wilmot Mountain, Wis.

In the Rockies, David Norden has been appointed CEO of Taos Ski Valley, N.M. Former CEO Gordon Briner has transitioned to COO. … Ed Youmans has taken over as VP of mountain operations at Purgatory, Colo. … Matt Roberts was named ticket office director at Steamboat, Colo.

Deer Valley, Utah, welcomed Hector Armendariz as the new chef for The Brass Tag, the resort’s gourmet brick-oven restaurant. Ted Ligety is now Deer Valley’s global athlete ambassador. … Sandy Scott Suzor has been selected as the newest board member for the Antelope Butte Foundation.

In the Tahoe region, Casey Blann is joining the team at Alpine Meadows as VP of mountain operations. … Doug Pierini is now VP and general manager at Kirkwood. … Jenna Prescott has joined the team at Sugar Bowl as the new director of mountain operations; Kevin Roop is the new director of schools, race department, and events. He replaces Mike Iman, who will be assuming a director emeritus position with the school.

Awards

Colorado Ski Country USA named its Double Diamond Awards recipients. The Chairman’s Award went to Bill Baum, general counsel for Intrawest Colorado; The President’s Award, to Mike McCormack, retired SVP of mountain ops, Purgatory; The Spencer Nelson All-Star Athlete of the Year Award, to Cole Puckett, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Ski Patroller of the Year Award, to Roman Sanchez, Eldora; Ski Instructor of the Year Award, to Debra Greenblatt, Purgatory; Groomer of the Year Award, to Bill Drake, Snowmass; Terrain Master of the Year Award, to Tigran Bailey, Aspen Mountain; and Snowmaker of the Year Award, to Spencer Rugland, Powderhorn.

The ASC B77.1 Committee and Skytrac Lifts bestowed the inaugural Jan W. Leonard Award on Doug Allen, VP of mountain ops at Steamboat, and LeRoy Shultz, past chairman of the B77. The award will be made annually to qualifying individuals on the basis of their participation, commitment, and tenure in the lift industry.

Supplier News

Chris Licata will succeed Peter Weaver as CEO of Tecnica Group USA. Weaver will continue on the board in an advisory role.

At Inntopia, Mike Lawrence and Bill Kushubar joined the sales team; Julianna Fedrizzi is now the strategic partnership manager; and Matt Sontum, Jake Guckert, and Thomas (TJ) Alaimo are the newest members of the Inntopia software development team.

Bern Unlimited has promoted Jeff Cavicchi from national sales manager to director of global operations. … Will Courtney is now national race coordinator for Fischer Race. New hire Nick Baker will provide western alpine race and retail support.
Justin Tate is PistenBully’s new regional sales representative for the Rocky Mountain region. PistenBully is also expanding into a new parts and service facility in Grand Junction, Colo.

OBITUARY

Bill Alsup, 78, died Aug. 9 when the crane he was operating rolled on a steep hill at a remote backcountry site near Silverton, Colo., killing him instantly. Alsup imported Poma lifts and was a master splicer as well as a successful race-car driver.