Maintenance and Rental Manager, Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, Ore.
With a lifelong connection to the mountains, Josiah Akin is pursuing a career in ski area management driven by his passion for skiing and snowboarding. His leadership approach focuses on collaboration, personal growth, and leading by example, inspiring others to embrace the mountain lifestyle. Currently spearheading the integration of ski school and rentals at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, Akin is working to create affordable lessons that enhance the guest experience. He believes skiing and snowboarding offer something for everyone and is eager to share these sports with as many people as possible. For Akin, skiing and snowboarding are more than just adrenaline-filled adventures—they’re a way to stay fit, healthy, and connected to nature. He believes life is always better on the mountain.

Lift Operations Manager, Whistler Blackcomb, BC
Christie Barbour grew up in Scotland, where she discovered her love for skiing on both natural snow at Glenshee and artificial slopes at Hillend. Since joining Whistler Blackcomb as a lift operator in 2004, Barbour’s career in mountain operations has spanned two decades. She has held several roles in lift operations, progressing from lift operator to supervisor and eventually becoming lift operations manager in 2018. Barbour also spent two years managing the Tube Park. Known for her commitment to guest service, Barbour believes safety is the foundation of exceptional service, and she takes pride in continuous learning and growth on the mountain.

Innovative Environments Manager, Boreal Mountain Resort, Woodward Tahoe, Soda Springs, Calif.
Rob Hallowell’s passion for snowboarding led him to his first job as a snowboard instructor at Gunstock Mountain Resort in 2003. This sparked a lifelong connection to the ski industry. Over the years, Hallowell has worked in a variety of roles, including snowmaker and terrain park manager at resorts like Sierra-at-Tahoe and Waterville Valley. He also spent 15 years as a millwright apprentice for General Electric, applying his mechanical skills in power plants across the East Coast. In 2023, Hallowell took on the role of innovative environments manager at Boreal, Woodward Tahoe, and Soda Springs, where he oversees the terrain parks and grooming operations. His goal is to create progressive, innovative park experiences for all ability levels.

Sales Manager, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
Ella Klott grew up in Missouri but always dreamed of living in the mountains. After earning a degree in hospitality management from the University of Missouri, with a focus on sport venue management, Klott moved to Jackson Hole and bought her first season pass. She started her career working at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole in spa operations and food and beverage management. In 2022, Klott transitioned to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where she took on a leadership role in the sales department. Now, as sales manager, Klott oversees international, domestic, and group sales, developing unique programs and experiences for visitors. In her free time, she enjoys attending live music events and snowboarding new mountains.

Assistant Patrol Director, Sunday River Resort, Maine
Sarah Nutt’s love for the outdoors led her to a career in the mountains of western Maine. After working in outdoor education with Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, Nutt joined the ski patrol community as a volunteer at Sugarloaf. She soon moved to Sunday River, where she now serves as the assistant patrol director. In this role, Nutt focuses on keeping both staff and guests safe on the mountain. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in applied nutrition with a focus on dietetics to help her team maintain healthy lifestyles that support the physical demands of patrolling. When not on the mountain, Nutt enjoys long-distance running, open-water swimming, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.

Incoming Director of Marketing and Communications, Loveland Ski Area, Colo.
Loryn Roberson, originally from Michigan, is currently the Senior Communications Manager for Copper Mountain and Woodward Copper and will soon step into her new role as the Director of Marketing and Communications at Loveland Ski Area. She got her start skiing at a tiny hill called Snow Snake and has been passionate about the ski industry ever since. Since joining the industry in 2014, Loryn has worked across several ski areas in Colorado, contributing to significant projects such as the Bergman Bowl expansion at Keystone and the new Freedom Chair at Breckenridge, as well as supporting the promotion and execution of world-class events at Copper Mountain. Passionate about the outdoors, Loryn thrives on introducing newcomers to the sport of skiing and sharing the inspiring stories of the people who make ski resorts truly exceptional. She looks forward to continuing her growth within the ski industry and making a lasting impact through her leadership.

Director of Skier Services, The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain, Vt.
Tim Shannon grew up in southern New Jersey with a passion for snowboarding, and during college, he taught lessons at Jack Frost Mountain. His career path was set when a copy of SAM magazine caught his eye in the college library. He went on to earn his PSIA-AASI Snowboard Level 3 certification and a degree in recreation management from East Stroudsburg University. In 2013, Shannon moved to Vermont to work at Mount Snow, where he met his wife during a torchlight parade. His eagerness to learn led to management opportunities in areas like summer operations, snowsports school, and tickets and reservations. Now the director of skier services at The Hermitage Club, Shannon has been instrumental in growing the snowsports school, youth programming, and software systems. He also serves as a PSIA-AASI-E education staff member. Outside of work, Shannon enjoys riding his bike, traveling with his wife, and learning to golf.

Health and Safety Manager, Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain, Calif.
Jenny Weaver, originally from southern Indiana, discovered her love for skiing after moving to Mammoth Lakes, California, in 2005. She joined Mammoth Mountain’s team in 2020, initially working to manage the resort’s COVID-19 protocols. Over time, her role has expanded to focus on a broader range of health and safety initiatives, including mental health support for employees and safety education for guests. Weaver is passionate about creating a culture of well-being at the resort, both for staff and visitors. In her free time, she enjoys trail running, snowshoeing, baking, and spending time with her husband and dog. Skiing remains one of her greatest passions, and she takes pride in helping others enjoy the mountain safely.

Director of Lodging, Schweitzer, Idaho
Jeremy Wildgoose grew up skiing at Mount Snow, Vermont, where his father was a volunteer ski patroller, instilling in him a deep love for the mountains from an early age. He pursued a degree in hospitality management from the University of New Hampshire, which led to a career in the resort and hospitality industry. Wildgoose worked at high-end hotels and resorts in Snowmass, Vail, and Jackson before joining the team at Schweitzer in Sandpoint, Idaho, in 2023. As the director of lodging, Wildgoose brings his passion for hospitality and mountain life to his role, ensuring guests at Schweitzer have an unforgettable experience. When he’s not working, he enjoys backcountry skiing, trail running, and exploring the outdoors with his family.

Snow Sports Director, Nordic Mountain, Wis.
Kyle Wilson is entering his fifth season as snow sports director at Nordic Mountain in Wisconsin. With a background in experiential learning as a ropes course facilitator, Wilson brings a unique approach to training and leading his team of instructors. Over the years, he has focused on fostering a positive learning environment for both staff and guests. In addition to his work at Nordic Mountain, Wilson spent the summer at Timberline Lodge in Oregon, where he gained valuable experience working in the Freestyle Training Center. This season, Wilson and his team will also take on terrain park operations, with a special emphasis on improving the beginner park experience. He was recognized as one of SAM’s 10 Under 30 in 2023 for his contributions to the industry.

Marketing Director, Shawnee Mountain, Pa.
Rachel Wyckoff grew up surrounded by the ski industry, with her father working in it for more than 50 years. She started skiing as a child and began working in a rental shop at age 14, marking the beginning of her career in the industry. After initially pursuing veterinary nursing at the University of Colorado, Wyckoff found herself drawn back to skiing and began working in social media and marketing. She eventually became the marketing director at Shawnee Mountain, where she combines her passion for skiing with her skills in communication. As a mother of two boys who also love the sport, Wyckoff continues to shape the resort’s brand and marketing efforts while sharing her love of skiing with her family.