SAM Magazine-Breckenridge, Colo., Apr. 3, 2007-Roger McCarthy, chief operating officer of Vail Resorts' Breckenridge mountain resort and co-president of VR's mountain division, has resigned effective May 4, 2007. McCarthy will be joining the Russian private investment company, Interros, to develop a new ski resort, Rosa Khutor, located near the city of Sochi in southwestern Russia and is one of three finalists bidding on the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

During his seven years at the helm of Breckenridge and, more recently, Keystone as well, he partnered with the town of Breckenridge on the landmark agreement to install the BreckConnect Gondola and develop Peaks 7 and 8. "Roger raised the bar on guest service levels at Breckenridge and Keystone, resulting in a significant increase in the annual SKI Magazine rankings for both resorts," said Rob Katz, chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. Katz continued, "Roger will be missed by all of us and we wish him nothing but success with this new exciting opportunity. He . . . leaves behind a very talented management team ready to take both resorts to the next level."

"Being a part of the success of Breckenridge and Keystone for the past seven years has been the highlight of my 30-plus-year career in the mountain resort business," McCarthy said. "I'm so proud of all that we have accomplished at both resorts, but especially the partnership between the Town of Breckenridge and the mountain in achieving a common vision for the resort's future. It has been a privilege to work with two extraordinary teams of people at Breckenridge and Keystone and an honor to be a part of the premier mountain resort company in North America. It's a bittersweet decision, but I have been offered the rare opportunity to be involved in leading the development of an entirely new resort from the ground up."

Vail Resorts has already begun its search for a new chief operating officer of Breckenridge, including a review of both internal and external candidates. Current co-president of the mountain division, Bill Jensen, will become president of the mountain division, effective immediately, and will assume management responsibilities for Breckenridge Resort until a new chief operating officer is appointed. Jensen will also remain as chief operating officer of Vail Mountain.