SAM Magazine—Greenwood, Maine, Nov. 21, 2024—Mt. Abram Ski Area & Bike Park hired Josh Thompson as its new general manager. Thompson previously served as a mountain operations manager at Sunday River, Maine.

“With over 15 years in the ski industry, specializing in mountain operations and risk management, Josh brings a wealth of expertise and passion to Mt. Abram,” said the ski area in a statement. “As local residents, Josh and his wife Allison share our deep love for the area and our commitment to making incredible outdoor experiences accessible to all.” 

Prior to joining Mt. Abram, Thompson was at Sunday River from 2009 to 2024. He was the long-time patrol director and risk manager, and most recently was promoted to help lead the mountain operations team. He also serves as the risk management advisor to the Maine Region of the National Ski Patrol and works with the Professional Ski Patrol Association.

Thompson spoke with SAM about his new role and what’s ahead for Mt. Abram, a locally owned ski area with 450 skiable acres just south of Sunday River.

SAM: What are you most excited about in respect to your new role?

Thompson: I am excited about the local feel and community orientation of Mt. Abram. It has some cool programs and community outreach efforts that feel good to be a part of. For example, local school children can get a free pass through our Youth Community Pass Program, which is supported by fundraising through nonprofits like Mt. Abram Ski Club and Friends of Mt. Abram. We also partner with an organization called WinterKids (a nonprofit dedicated to keeping kids active in winter). The energy around that program is awesome. Those are just some of the community functions and relationships that I’m excited to be a part of and learn more about. 

I find a lot of pride in working somewhere where community benefit is a priority. That is in large part what attracted me to the role at Mt. Abram. The team here is passionate. They treat each other well and are excited to serve the local community and kids. That energy is contagious and fun. I wake up, and I’m excited to go to work. So many people at Mt. Abram are working so hard to benefit each other and the people around them, and that’s awesome.

SAM: What would a good first season at Mt. Abram look like to you?

Thompson: Right now, my goals feel really minute-to-minute and day-to-day, but I think I will feel successful and like we’ve had a good year if I really learn the resources that we have—the limitations and opportunities—and form supportive relationships with the Mt. Abram community and team. 

The mountain is very community focused. So many people that support the mountain live right in the surrounding neighborhood, so becoming familiar with that community is important. If I can integrate myself to a point that people are comfortable being open with me about what’s needed at and from the mountain, then I will feel like I had a good first year. 

SAM: What are some opportunities you see for Mt. Abram in the future?

Thompson: From a high level and without having all the knowledge yet, I hope that as a group, we can find opportunities to be more efficient and sustainable. I think some modernization and expansion of infrastructure would benefit the mountain. We just need to find a way to do that while preserving our hometown “roots of skiing” culture. 

There will need to be some infrastructure changes, but I can’t say exactly what that looks like yet. I think the focus of any changes will be on continuing to serve our current patrons, school-aged kids and the community, but we’d also love to drive growth in overall participation. Within any development to infrastructure and services offered, there are probably opportunities to help expand the year-round benefit to operating the resort.

That said, there’s a lot of really cool stuff already happening here, so I’m pretty intent on watching it all turn this year and seeing what the team already does before considering any changes.