SAM Magazine—Gilford, N.H., July 11, 2024—The Gunstock Area Commission (GAC) has selected Robert Drake to succeed Tom Day as Gunstock Mountain Resort president and general manager, effective Aug. 5. Drake’s appointment ends a four-month nationwide search to replace Day, who announced his retirement in January with the plan to stay on until a successor was found. 

Drake most recently served as business operations general manager for Middlebury Snowbowl in Vermont, a position he had held since 2022. Prior to that, Drake was the assistant general manager at the nonprofit Bridger Bowl Ski Area in Bozeman, Mont., and the director of sales, marketing, and lodging services at Red Lodge Mountain Resort in Red Lodge, Mont. 

“Robert’s love of skiing, his well-rounded business background in and outside of the industry, and his community-oriented perspective makes him a natural fit for Gunstock and an exciting choice to continue the success that Tom and the management team have charted,” said Doug Lambert, chair of the GAC, the board that oversees county-owned Gunstock. “The GAC is looking forward to working with Robert as he takes the helm of our beloved ski area.”

“Robert’s experience working with the board and the association at Bridger Bowl, which is community-owned and operated, is important,” said Day. “The community here is very involved and interested in Gunstock’s success and everything happening here. Robert gets that, and we think he is going to be a great fit for the demands of this position.”

Drake also worked as the vice president of operations for Wildfire Defense Systems in Bozeman, serving as an operations strategist for the wildfire consulting and field services firm. He has served on the boards of the Montana Ski Areas Association, Silver Run Ski Club, Fat Tire Frenzy MTB Festival, and the Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club. 

Of his upcoming move to Gunstock, Drake said, "I have a deep-rooted passion for snow sports and the ski industry, and I am thrilled to be chosen to continue Tom Day’s legacy and lead Gunstock into a new era of excellence. I am eager to collaborate with a team of equally passionate colleagues and engage with the vibrant New Hampshire Lakes Region and Seacoast ski and ride communities. I look forward to embracing the opportunity to make Gunstock my home for years to come.”