Jeff Boliba :: Global Progression Mgr. - Burton :: Sales Mgr. - Anon & Red

Jeff Boliba grew up in northern California on a skateboard, a love he brought to snow in 1986 when he first tried snowboarding at Donner Pass. In 1996, Boliba joined the Park City Mountain Resort team to help the area get ready for the 2002 Olympics. In 2000, Boliba joined the Burton team and has not looked back.

Boliba was brought to Burton to develop the learn-to-ride (LTR) and resort programs, a concept that partners resorts with the company in creating new snowboarders. Through innovative equipment and teaching methods, Burton has helped resorts convert first-timers into lifelong enthusiasts at a rate that far exceeds the industry norm—much of this due to Boliba’s hard work.

In addition, Boliba has worked with the industry in developing the Smart Style terrain park safety program, created two websites devoted to terrain park safety and education, serves on the NSAA educational committee and is a key component to the Cutter’s Camp program put on by SAM and Timberline.

Russ Coloton :: President - Hunter Mountain, N.Y.

With a degree in ski area management from Gogebic College, Coloton always knew he’d be in this industry. After starting his career at Sugarbush, Vt., he joined Hunter Mountain in 1979. Coloton worked his way up the ranks of the family-owned area until he became president in the 90’s. Once at the helm, Coloton led Hunter through a capital improvement program that has made the area an industry example.

Under Coloton, Hunter Mountain was one of the first resorts to not only recognize the importance of enhancing the beginner experience, but actually acted on it with its innovative Learning Center and surrounding learning terrain. For a resort that is located 2 hours from New York City, getting rid of a parking lot in favor of expanded teaching terrain is a major step forward in attracting and retaining more sliders.

And Coloton is not done. Hunter will be embarking on its second phase with an upscale quarter-share project to make Hunter more of a destination resort.

Lucy Kay :: VP Marketing - Keystone / Breckenridge, Colo.

Kay started her winter sports marketing career at Copper Mountain, as director of marketing and personnel director. She went on to direct marketing and international sales for Breckenridge under Ralston Resorts, as well as under Victoria Ltd (Japanese) ownership.

Early on, Kay recognized the importance of events in her marketing efforts and has organized everything from World Cups, Grand Prixs and Triple Crowns at Breckenridge. Kay even dropped the World Cup Freestyle event in favor of snowboarding events like Van’s and the Grand Prix at a time when no-one knew how popular they would become.

This past fall, she led a strategy that turned a ten-month decline in web hits to a four-resort gain in just two months. She was also key in bringing what might be the next big event at Keystone: The NextSnow Search competition, put on by Snow Monsters and Sports Illustrated for Kids. Kay is also a great team leader and builder of future industry leaders in marketing.

Doug Perry :: President - W1

Starting out as an instructor/coach at Whistler, Perry was one of the youngest skiers ever to achieve Level 4 certification and Level 4 Senior Examiner status with the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance. Perry also worked for the TV series Ski Now, which gave him the idea of staging the World Technical Skiing Championships at Blackcomb Mountain in 1994.

In 1996, Perry expanded the concept and founded the World Ski & Snowboard Festival (now sponsored by Telus), which put Whistler on the map and in the black in mid-April. The Festival has grown and currently drives a $20 million impact on the resort. This grand spring event is a celebration of music, arts and sports and brings the entire community together in a way other resorts can only envy.

Indeed, Perry was awarded businessperson of the year by the Whistler Chamber of Commerce for his efforts. Perry’s company W1 has also staged 250 concerts and produced television specials for distribution in over 100 countries.