SAM Magazine-Bend, Ore., May 22, 2008-GM Matt Janney and three other executives at Mt. Bachelor have lost their jobs after a disappointing season punctuated by persistent operational problems and customer dissatisfaction with a 30 percent increase in season pass prices over the past two seasons.

The changes come less than a year after Janney, a longtime Mt. Bachelor employee who had most recently run Powdr Corp.'s three Tahoe areas, had returned to Bend, with the goal of restoring the resort's ties to the local community and improving operations. A month ago, Janney admitted that the resort remained disconnected from the community, and ongoing issues of lift breakdowns, subpar grooming, and parking lot problems-which predated Janney's tenure-continued to plague the resort this season. However, two locals familiar with the mountain told the Bend Bulletin newspaper that they had seen positive changes flowing from Janney's leadership.

From Powdr's perspective, it clearly wasn't enough. The combination of price increases, operational glitches, and stiff competition from Mt. Hood-region resorts and a revived Hoodoo ski area took their toll. While the state appears headed for a record number of visits, Bachelor's visits were off by between seven and 15 percent.

Others who lost their positions include marketing director Carly Carmichael, F&B director Mark Perry, and director of operations Ernie Pool. Carmichael had been with Bachelor for nine years, Perry for more than 20, and Pool for more than 30.

"It is very important to everyone at Mt. Bachelor that we deliver the best skier experience in the West," said Herwig Demschar, chief operating officer of Powdr Corp. "All of these individuals have made significant contributions to the success of Mt. Bachelor, and we are grateful to them all for their service. In particular, Matt Janney has done an excellent job of identifying the issues and challenges that Mt. Bachelor faces. His contributions have been immense, and we now seek a skill set that will allow us to enhance the overall guest experience."

In the future, a spokesman said, customers will see a heightened focus on customer service in several areas: faster food and beverage service, smoother parking, and improved lift and grooming operations. Much of the resort's announced $3.4 million in capital spending this summer will address these aspects of the guest experience. The area plans to add five full-time lift maintenance employees, build workshop space around Summit Express chairlift, and provide maintenance employees with additional tools and equipment, Demschar told the Bulletin.

Powdr is said to have four or five candidates for the top job and hopes to name a new GM within a month. It is interviewing to fill the other open positions as well. \