SAM Magazine—Denver, Nov. 16, 2023—Alterra Mountain Company has appointed Ron Cohen, president and COO of Mammoth Mountain, Calif., and Rob Perlman, president and COO of Steamboat, Colo., to the newly created roles of executive vice president (EVP), regional operations.Rob Perlman In that capacity, both will serve on Alterra’s executive leadership team and start to transition out of their current positions.

Each EVP will provide strategic oversight to a portfolio of Alterra resorts and resort leadership, serving as a conduit for communication within their respective regions and companywide. Part of the role will also be to identify and mentor leaders throughout Alterra’s Mountain Division. Both will report to Alterra COO Mark Brownlie.

“Ron and Rob have been two of the most proven and capable ski area operators in the industry for decades,” said Brownlie. “We’ve been fortunate to have them lead two of our premier destinations, and this new structure will give the rest of the company an opportunity to learn from their experience.”

Ron CohenCohen began with Mammoth and June Mountain in 2010, when he was named chief administrative officer and general counsel for the resorts. He became president and COO of Palisades Tahoe in 2018 but returned to Mammoth and June as president and COO in 2021. He’s currently on the NSAA board of directors and has served as chair of NSAA’s Public Lands Committee since 2018.

Prior to Steamboat, Perlman held leadership positions at Winter Park, Vail, and Beaver Creek in Colorado and at Mammoth, and was president and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA. He currently serves on several boards in Steamboat and beyond, including NSAA, Colorado Ski Country USA, the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, and the Steamboat Springs Chamber.

“It is an honor to grow with the company and have the opportunity to share my industry knowledge and experience through a wider platform,” said Perlman. “The teams on the ground in each of these resorts is the best in the business, and I appreciate Alterra’s foresight to provide a connected and collaborative approach to success.”

Reps for Alterra said that a search for new presidents for both Steamboat and Mammoth will begin immediately. Cohen and Perlman will continue to provide leadership until the roles are filled, with interim leaders helping with day-to-day operations during the upcoming season. At Mammoth and June, that will be COO of resort services Eric Clark, and at Steamboat, Dave Hunter, VP of resort operations.

Denver-based Alterra owns 16 mountain resorts in North America, as well as BC-based CMH Heli Skiing and Summer Adventures, and the Ikon Pass.