SAM Magazine—Breckenridge, Colo., Oct. 12, 2023—Breckenridge Ski Resort has promoted Jon Copeland, current vice president of mountain operations, to vice president and COO. 

Copeland will lead mountain and base area operations, food and beverage, ski and snowboard school, summer operations, and other areas of business, while driving partnership and engagement with the Town of Breckenridge and the broader community.  

“I can’t think of anyone better suited to take on this leadership role at Breck than Jon Copeland,” said Nadia Guerriero, senior vice president of the Rocky Mountain Region at Vail Resorts, which owns and operates Breckenridge. “Jon is a trusted and respected leader at the resort and in the community, and his 30 years of experience in the ski industry will set up the resort for continued success.” 

Copeland has worked at Breckenridge since 2019, serving as senior director of skier services before moving into mountain operations in 2020. As VP of mountain operations, he oversaw ski patrol, grooming, snowmaking, lift operations and maintenance, comp services, terrain parks, and building maintenance. He and his team directed the installation of the Freedom SuperChair, which opened in 2021 on Peak 7, the upgrade to Rip’s Ride on Peak 8 in 2022, and most currently, the Peak 8 base area transformation and upgraded Five SuperChair that will debut this winter season. 

"To say I am thrilled to take on this role would be an understatement,” Copeland said. “This mountain and the people are what I love most, and we have a dedicated and passionate group of individuals here who really want to be a part of a great mountain experience. I feel privileged to be a part of it all and to get the opportunity to lead this resort.” 

Prior to Breck, Jon spent more than 20 years at Kirkwood Mountain Resort in Lake Tahoe, Calif., where, among other accomplishments, he created and implemented the Expedition Kirkwood program, providing backcountry-like experiences to explore the more extreme side of the mountain. 

Copeland is an active leader and volunteer in the community as well as the ski industry. Since 2020, he has served on the board of directors for Building Hope, an organization that provides mental and emotional health support within Summit County, and, since 2002 has been on the board of directors for Breckenridge’s One Ski Hill Place Homeowners Association.