SAM Magazine—Wildwood, Mo., Jan. 3, 2024—Longtime operations leader Donald (DJ) Koch was promoted to general manager of Hidden Valley Ski Resort, following former GM Tony Santora's appointment to general manager of Jack Frost Big Boulder, Pa., both owned and operated by Vail Resorts. Koch stepped into the new role Jan. 1, 2024.

  "We are thrilled to welcome DJ as the new general manager of Hidden Valley Ski Resort," said Vail Resorts VP of the Midwest Region Tim Harris. "DJ’s depth of knowledge and experience across multiple ski industry roles is extensive, and he has deep knowledge and passion for the ski industry.”   

Koch became involved with Hidden Valley as a volunteer patroller in 2007. In 2013, he was hired as the ski patrol manager for the paid patrol at the resort. In subsequent years, he held various resort leadership roles, including sales and marketing manager, events coordinator, and group sales manager. In 2020, Koch moved back into mountain operations, leading ski patrol, terrain parks, lift operations, and managing on-hill capital projects, before being promoted to general manager this year.