SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., Oct. 5, 2023—Breckenridge Ski Resort (Colo.) vice president and COO Jody Churich has been promoted to the role of senior vice president and COO of Vail Resorts West Region, effective Oct. 16. She succeeds Doug Pierini, who is leaving the company as of Oct. 6. Courtesy of Sarah McLear, Breckenridge Ski Resort

In her new role, Churich will lead operations of Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia; Stevens Pass in Washington; Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe; and Perisher, Hotham, and Falls Creek in Australia. She will report to Mountain Division president Bill Rock and join VR’s executive committee.   

Churich has more than 30 years of ski industry experience, starting as a ski instructor in Lake Tahoe in the 1990s. She has been with Vail Resorts since 2018, first as senior director of skier services at Park City Mountain, Utah, then vice president and general manager of Keystone. She was named chief operating officer of Breckenridge in 2021. Prior to joining Vail Resorts, Churich ran Boreal and Soda Springs ski resorts in North Lake Tahoe, as well as Woodward Tahoe, ultimately leading the entire Woodward Camps operation as chief operating officer.  

“[Jody] has been a trailblazer for women in leadership across our industry and is an active advocate for inclusivity in outdoor sports,” said Rock.   

Pierini spent 13 years with Vail Resorts, which included leadership roles at Breckenridge and Kirkwood, as well as Okemo and Stowe in Vermont, Mt. Sunapee in New Hampshire, and throughout the West Region. His ski industry career began nearly 30 years ago at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo., where he worked in the ski school. He’s held leadership roles for Booth Creek Resorts, Alpine Meadows, Calif., and Homewood Resort, Calif. Pierini was also a member of the PSIA/AASI Alpine National Team from 2000-2012.

“Doug led with incredible industry knowledge and service as well as an unwavering passion for this sport,” said Rock. “We wish him the best in his next endeavors.”

Churich will continue to lead Breckenridge Ski Resort in the coming weeks until a new COO is named.