• leadership

SAM Magazine—Saint Paul, Minn., Nov. 1, 2024—The Midwest Ski Areas Association (MSAA) has named Bo Bigelow as its next executive director, effective today. His predecessor Amy Reents stepped down in October after leading MSAA for more than eight years.  Bigelow will continue to serve as executive director of the Minnesota Ski Areas Associatio...

• leadership

SAM Magazine—Truckee, Calif., Nov. 1, 2024—Vail Resorts has named Tara Schoedinger vice president and general manager of Northstar California Resort, effective Nov. 11. She moves from Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Colo., where she served in the same role. At Northstar, Schoedinger takes over for Amy Ohran, who became president and COO of Palis...

• leadership

SAM Magazine—Revelstoke, British Columbia, Oct. 30, 2024—Dave Morrison is the new CEO of Mica Heliskiing, a boutique heliski operation and lodge in the Canadian Rockies. Morrison has more than 25 years of ski industry experience.  “Dave Morrison is a proven leader with a remarkable track record in managing and growing luxury ski resorts and...

• leadership

SAM Magazine—Bear Valley, Calif., Oct. 29, 2024—The California Mountain Resort Company (CMRC) has appointed new general managers to two of its ski areas: Brad Cumberland was promoted to general manager of Bear Valley, and Troy Cohee was promoted to general manager of China Peak.Brad Cumberland and Troy Cohee “At Bear Valley, we've restructu...

SAM Magazine—Jackson Hole, Wyo., Oct. 24, 2024—Mountain Towns 2030 gathered 540 attendees from the ski industry, government entities, and other stakeholder groups in Jackson Hole, Wyo., on Oct. 14-16, for the annual Climate Solutions Summit. The event focused on innovative solutions to combat the effects of climate change and issued a resoundin...

• leadership

SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Oct. 2, 2024—Eleven up-and-coming industry leaders have been selected to participate as mentees in the SAM Summit Series leadership development program. Hailing from resorts of all sizes across North America, the mentees represent many different departments and roles.   The 2024-25 Summit Series mentees are: Jos...

• leadership

SAM’s Snow People highlights personnel moves in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to awards, obits, and supplier news, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE:  Nelson Wingard and Corey Peterson COREY PETERSON and NELSON WINGARD, STEAMBOAT SKI RESORT, CO Steamboat Ski Resort ha...

• leadership

SAM Magazine—Newbury, N.H., Sept. 26, 2024—Vail Resorts named Susan Donnelly as the new general manager of Mount Sunapee, effective October 7. Donnelly most recently served as general manager of Crotched Mountain Resort, N.H. She fills the role previously held by Peter Disch, who became VP of mountain operations at Heavenly, Calif., in August ...

• leadership

SAM Magazine—Salida, Colo., Sept. 24, 2024—Monarch Mountain has appointed Chris Haggerty as the new general manager of the ski area. Haggerty succeeds retiring GM and COO Randy Stroud, who will stay on for the 2024-25 winter season to help with the transition.  “Having worked various positions in the industry, Haggerty will provide a unique...

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Sept. 24, 2024—The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) has appointed Ski California president Mike Reitzell as its new president and CEO. Reitzell will replace Kelly Pawlak, who gave her notice in May that she would be stepping down as the leader of NSAA.  "Mike’s passion for the ski industry and his impressi...

SAM Magazine—Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Sept. 23, 2024—Andrew Rusynyk has been appointed as general manager of Pass Powderkeg (PPK) Ski Hill and the Pass Community Pool, both owned and operated by the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass. Rusynyk started on September 16 and has since been integrating into PPK’s operations, which include hiking and mo...

SAM Magazine—Blue River, British Columbia, Sept. 23, 2024— Alterra Mountain Company has promoted Elias Ortner to president and COO of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing (MWHS), based in Blue River, British Columbia, effective immediately. In his new role, Ortner, who most recently served as general manager of MWHS, is responsible for all operati...

SAM Magazine—East Madison, N.H., Sept. 20, 2024—Shawn Taylor has been promoted to general manager of King Pine, N.H. Taylor, who started as a seasonal employee at King Pine in 1986 and has been year-round since 1996, previously served as the ski area’s assistant general manager. During his time a King Pine, Taylor has contributed to nearly e...

SAM Magazine—Cortland, N.Y., Sept. 20, 2024—The annual Ski NY-SkiPA Expo was held at Greek Peak Mountain Resort on Sept. 15-18, welcoming more than 300 ski area and supplier attendees for educational sessions, a trade show, and networking opportunities.  According to Ski Areas of New York (SANY), attendance was down slightly from last year. N...

SAM Magazine—Newry, Maine, Sept. 12, 2024—The New England Summit returned to Sunday River, Sept. 9-11, where more than 400 attendees from all over the Northeast participated in educational sessions, a trade show, and networking events.    Host Ski Maine held the event in Portland, Maine, in 2023, and it will return there to the Holiday Inn b...

SAM Magazine—Ishpeming, Mich., Sept. 12, 2024—The 10 members of the U.S. National Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame Class of 2024 were unveiled yesterday in Lake Placid, N.Y. The group of Olympians, Paralympians, sport builders, and pioneers will be inducted, along with Class of 2023 member Jeff Brushie, at the annual Snowsports History Celebrat...

SAM Magazine—Glenwood Springs, Colo., Aug. 27, 2024—Cindy Dady is the new CEO of Sunlight Mountain Resort. She started in her new role Aug. 5.  Dady’s ski industry career began in the 1980s at Greek Peak in New York. She has since managed kids ski and ride operations for Intrawest, served as the general manager of Echo Mountain in Colorado,...

SAM Magazine—Keystone, Colo., Aug. 27, 2024—Vail Resorts has appointed Shannon Buhler to become vice president and general manager of Keystone Resort, Colo., effective Sept. 16. Buhler will be one of four female GMs leading Vail Resorts ski areas in the Rocky Mountains.Courtesy of Keystone Resort “Vail Resorts has an incredible pool of talen...

SAM Magazine—Juneau, Alaska, Aug. 22, 2024—Craig Cimmons has been selected as the new general manager of Eaglecrest Ski Area, beginning in early October. Cimmons currently serves as the director of the ski and ride school and community engagement at Jay Peak, Vt.  Cimmons was chosen from a pool of 17 applicants, according to a report from KTO...

Midwest ski area operators, their teams, and industry suppliers gathered earlier this week at the Midwest Ski Areas Association (MSAA) Summer Meeting and Trade Show at the beautiful Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Mich., August 11-14. Attendance was slightly down from last year, which was no surprise given the very challenging winter most experienced. ...

SAM Magazine—Londonderry, Vt., Aug. 7, 2024—Magic Mountain has promoted mountain operations director Paul Maitland to general manager. Maitland will report directly to Geoff Hatheway, president of Magic Mountain and managing member of Ski Magic, LLC. “Paul has earned the respect of our staff in not only successfully managing the mountain ope...

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight personnel moves in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to awards, obits, and supplier news, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE:  Gardner BeougherGARDNER BEOUGHER, WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT, MT Gardner Beougher has been appointed as the moun...

• Technology Headline News

SAM Magazine—Denver, July 29, 2024—Longtime tech industry executive Will Treves has been appointed as the new CEO of Aspenware, effective today.  Treves brings 20 years of experience to the role at Aspenware, an e-commerce and digital guest-experience solutions provider for the ski industry that’s co-owned by Alterra Mountain Company and As...

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 ...

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight personnel moves in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to awards, obits, and supplier news, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE KELLY PAWLAK and CHIP SEAMANS, NSAA Kelly Pawlak is stepping down as president and CEO of the National Ski Areas A...

• Miscellaneous
• Resort Development

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to supplier news, awards and obits, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE TOM DAY, GUNSTOCK, NH Gunstock general manager Tom Day will retire following the 2023-24...

• Ski Patrol
• Rental

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to supplier news, awards and obits, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE CHARLES BLIER, CAMELBACK RESORT Charles Blier joins Camelback Resort as the vice preside...

• Miscellaneous
• Ski Area Profiles

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to supplier news, awards and obits, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE KATIE VAN RIPER and JUSTIN SOINE, POWDER MOUNTAIN Powder Mountain has hired Katie Van Ri...

• Lift Maintenance
• Ski School

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to supplier news, awards and obits, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE JAY RYDD, DIAMOND PEAK RESORT Diamond Peak Resort has promoted Jay Rydd to operations ma...

• Miscellaneous

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to supplier news, awards and obits, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE LAUREN BURKE, MT. BACHELOR, OR Mt. Bachelor has hired Lauren Burke as director of market...

• Safety

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to supplier news, awards and obits, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE JESSE TRUE, MAGGIE MURRAY, LOUIS SKOWYRA, and TONY CAMMARATA, ARAPAHOE BASIN, Colo. Jes...

• Trail Maintenance
• Grooming

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to supplier news, awards and obits, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE BONNIE MACPHERSON, GUNSTOCK MOUNTAIN RESORT, N.H. Bonnie MacPherson joined Gunstock Moun...

• Lifts

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to supplier news, awards and obits. We celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE STEVE DUKE, CRESTED BUTTE, CO Steve Duke was named director of mountain operations at Cr...

• Resort Development
• Ski School

SAM Magazine—Fairfield, Pa., Oct. 6, 2022—Vail Resorts appointed Chris Blackwell as the new general manager of Liberty Mountain Resort. Blackwell assumed the role in September. He succeeds Jeff Lifgren, former GM of Liberty and VP of Vail Resorts’ Mid-Atlantic region; Lifgren will continue in his role as vice president of the Mid-Atlantic reg...

• Miscellaneous
• Environment

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to supplier news, awards and obits. We celebrate the people that make this industry thrive.   PEOPLE PAUL MUNDY, DODGE RIDGE,  CA Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort hired Paul Mundy as its ...

• Miscellaneous
• Ski Area Profiles

The four-season masterpiece of Quebec’s Tremblant resort was the host site of this year’s SAM Summer Ops Camp—an immersive, multi-day event designed to help ski area operators grow their summer business—Sept. 7-9. More than 80 operators, vendors, and experts were in attendance to experience a variety of unique activities, learn from several...

• Lifts

Shanty Creek Resort and Hotel in Bellaire, Mich., became a vibrant scene of excitement for the winter season ahead during the annual Midwest Ski Areas Association Summer Meeting and Tradeshow Aug. 21-24, 2022. The event drew nearly 300 members for educational sessions, networking opportunities, and a tradeshow with 57 exhibitors. The conference ki...

• Lifts
• Marketing

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to supplier news, awards, and obits, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive.     PEOPLE MATT PETERSON, PALISADES TAHOE, CA Palisades Tahoe hired Matt Peterson as its senior director ...

• Lifts

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to supplier news, awards, and obits, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive.   PEOPLE JJ TOLAND, SUGARBUSH, VT Sugarbush Resort has brought on JJ Toland as vice presiden...

• Snowmaking

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to supplier news, awards and obits. We celebrate the people that make this industry thrive.     People GREG GAVRILETS, MT. ROSE SKI TAHOE, NV Greg Gavrilets will take over as gener...

• Rental

PEOPLE JULIE GERMOND and KYLIE SIMPSON, STEAMBOAT, Colo.Kylie SimpsonJulie Germond Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation added two new directors to its team: Kylie Simpson was named director of conference catering, and Julie Germond joined in the newly created role of director of resort transformation. Simpson reports to Rob Spence, vic...

• Snowmaking
• Miscellaneous

SAM Magazine—Lake Geneva, Wis., Aug. 20, 2021—The Midwest Ski Areas Association (MSAA) hosted the first in-person ski industry meeting and trade show since Covid-19 upended things. On Aug. 15-18 at Grand Geneva Resort in Wisconsin, 254 attendees from ski areas, associations, and affiliates joined 119 supplier representatives to celebrate the su...

• Miscellaneous
• Lifts

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., August 11, 2021—Vail Resorts has named Rob Katz’s successor: Kirsten Lynch, currently the company’s chief marketing officer, will be appointed chief executive officer and elected to the Vail Resorts’ board of directors, effective Nov. 1, 2021. Kirsten LynchAt that time, Katz, CEO since 2006, will move into...

• Miscellaneous

SAM Magazine—Denver, Aug. 10, 2021—Alterra Mountain Company has promoted industry veteran Dee Byrne to the role of president and COO of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows (SVAM), effective immediately. Byrne has served as SVAM vice president of skier services since 2017. She will now report to Mark Brownlie, Alterra chief operating officer—mountain...

• Area Management
• Miscellaneous

In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight recent personnel moves that have been made in the mountain resort industry. RESORTS JULIE CALDER, JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) promoted Julie Calder to vice president of guest experience, a new position created to lead JHMR’s strategic initiative to elevate the guest experience...

• Racing

SAM Magazine—Government Camp, Ore., July 14, 2021—After a months-long search, Timberline Lodge, Ore., has promoted two longtime staff members to general manager roles: Rose Phillips will serve as GM of ski area operations, and Scott Skellenger will be the GM of hotel operations. Rose Phillips and Scott Skellenger “The results of this extens...

SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., June 14, 2021—The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Bill Jensen, former Vail Resorts mountain division president and Intrawest CEO, and Tim Silva, longtime Sun Valley, Idaho, general manager and former Northstar, Calif., GM. Jensen and Silva were recognized at NSAA’s 2...

• Grooming
• Trail Maintenance
• Marketing

SAM Magazine—Denver, Colo., June 11, 2021—Alterra Mountain Company named Ron Cohen president and COO of Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain, Calif., effective immediately. He will oversee all operations at both resorts, and will lead significant developments planned for Mammoth, Alterra’s largest and most visited destination. Cohen has served ...

• Racing
• Area Management

SAM Magazine—Denver, Colo., June 3, 2021—Alterra Mountain Company named Rob Rohn president and COO of CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures, effective immediately. Rohn will oversee operations and be responsible for driving growth at the Banff-based outlet, which includes 11 luxury lodges, a fleet of helicopters, and 140 guides. He will repor...

• Miscellaneous

  RESORTS NICK LAMBERT, BOYNE RESORTS  Boyne Resorts, Mich., named Nick Lambert chief marketing officer, effective June 1, 2021. He succeeds Ian Arthur, who is retiring after six years with the team. Lambert was the vice president of sales and marketing for the company’s Sunday River Resort, Maine, and Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, Tenn. In h...

• Lifts
• Racing

SAM Magazine—Denver, June 1, 2021—Jared Smith will serve as president of Alterra Mountain Company, effective June 7, 2021. Smith, who will report to CEO Rusty Gregory, will be responsible for overseeing and developing Alterra’s 15 mountain destinations.  Smith comes to Alterra from Live Nation Entertainment. There, he most recently served a...

• Rental
• Miscellaneous

SAM Magazine—Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, May 20, 2021—Amber Broadaway has been selected as the new president and chief operating officer of Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah, beginning June 1. She succeeds Kim Mayhew, who is retiring after holding Solitude’s top spot since 2015. Broadaway currently serves as vice president of guest services ...

• Lifts

SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., May 7, 2021—Vail Resorts (VR) has named new senior leaders to three of its Colorado resorts: Jody Churich, VP and COO of Breckenridge; Tara Schoedinger, VP and GM of Crested Butte; and Chris Sorensen, VP and GM of Keystone. All three will assume their new roles June 7. Jody Churich, Tara Schoedinger, and Chri...

• Miscellaneous
• Ski Patrol

SAM Magazine—White Pass, Wash., May 6, 2021— Kevin McCarthy is stepping down as White Pass GM on July 1 after 36 years at the helm. Former COO Rikki Cooper will succeed McCarthy as GM.  “Trying to fill Kevin McCarthy's shoes is an impossible task,” said Cooper. “He has faithfully led this company since the year I was born, and his deter...

• Lifts

SAM Magazine—Montville, N.J., April 21, 2021—SNOW Operating has appointed Jeff Boliba chief operating officer for its SnowCloud technology company. Boliba spent the last 21 years with Burton Snowboards, most recently as its global marketing vice president of sport and participation. In his role with SnowCloud, he’ll be responsible for helping...

• Lifts

SAM Magazine—East Rutherford, N.J., April 14, 2021—Big SNOW American Dream named Mark Dobrowolski as its new general manager. Dobrowolski has been serving as interim GM since former general manager Jim Haas died in March.  Dobrowolski joined Big SNOW, a year-round, indoor snowsports venue, as the guest experience manager in October 2019, prio...

SAM Magazine—Denver, Colo., April 5, 2021—Alterra Mountain Company has promoted Mark Brownlie from regional chief operating officer (RCOO) for the company’s Western Region to chief operating officer of resorts. Working with the COO of hospitality to drive profitability and growth, Brownlie will oversee all of the company’s 15 destination op...

• Miscellaneous
• Lifts

Resorts Maggie Murray and Jesse True, Arapahoe Basin, Colo.  Arapahoe Basin welcomed Maggie Murray as its new finance director and Jesse True as its new marketing director.  Murray began her career at Morgan Stanley in Boston before realizing that office towers were not her natural habitat. Her background includes top finance roles in local n...

• Trail Maintenance
• Grooming
• Miscellaneous

RESORTS Sarah Sherman, Snowbird Sarah Sherman has been appointed communications manager at Snowbird, working within the marketing team to oversee the resort’s public and media relations and communications. Originally from Los Angeles, Sherman began her career as a snow reporter at Mammoth Mountain after graduating from the University of Souther...