LEADERSHIP ARTICLES
View the most recent articles on Leadership Development from SAM magazine.
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January 2026Education for the Real World
As enrollment dips, SAM degree and certificate programs are modernizing curriculum and evolving in step with the industry to keep the talent pipeline alive. For decades, ski area management degree and certificate programs served as a steady pipeline for resort talent. While many folks learned (an As enrollment dips, SAM degree and certificate programs are modernizing curriculum and evolving in...
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November 2025Perks of Employment
Resorts share their winning and valued benefits, recognition programs, and other morale boosters. A nice benefits package can help attract and retain talented people. But it takes more than a season pass and health insurance to make team members happy and feel satisfied about work, which should be Resorts share their winning and valued benefits, recognition programs, and other morale boosters.
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July 202510 Under 30
Meet the class of 2025: These next-gen leaders bring fresh thinking, heart, and hustle to every corner of the mountain resort world. The recipe might go something like this: Start with a healthy pinch of millennial tech savviness, strong work ethic, desire for work-life balance, and social conscio Meet the class of 2025: These next-gen leaders bring fresh thinking, heart, and hustle to every...
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May 2025Letter to the Editors :: May 2025
Thanks for the mentoring I wanted to take a moment to thank SAM, MountainGuard, and High Peaks Group for pairing me with Brundage Mountain (Idaho) GM Ken Rider as my mentor in the Summit Series program! Ken and I had two amazing Zoom calls. Our topics ranged from career paths and book clubs Thanks for the mentoring I wanted to take a moment to thank SAM, MountainGuard, and High Peaks...
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May 2025Mastering Your Mindset
Mindset is a leadership tool that sets the tone for your whole team. Mindset is a powerful thing. It influences our behavior, decision-making, communication, and confidence. It can be the key to our success, or our primary limiting factor. And it doesn’t just affect us as individuals—those per Mindset is a leadership tool that sets the tone for your whole team.
View all leadership development articles.
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NEWS
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Faces and Places
Rathbun Now CEO of Purgatory Resort Holdings After Leadership Restructure
SAM Magazine—Durango, Colo., April 13, 2026—A new leadership structure at Purgatory Resort includes general manager Dave Rathbun moving into the role of chief executive officer of Purgatory Resort Holdings, the company overseeing the resort’s affiliated businesses, owned by Mountain Capital Pa SAM Magazine—Durango, Colo., April 13, 2026—A new leadership structure at Purgatory Resort includes general manager Dave Rathbun moving into the...
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SAM Headline News
SAM Calls for Nominations for “10 Under 30” Emerging Leaders
SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., April 13, 2026—Nominations are now open for SAM’s annual “10 Under 30,” presented with support from Snow Operating. The program recognizes young professionals who are making meaningful contributions at their resorts and demonstrating strong potential for future SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., April 13, 2026—Nominations are now open for SAM’s annual “10 Under 30,” presented with support from Snow Operating. The...
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Faces and Places
Edelmann to Succeed Howard as Vail Mountain VP and COO
SAM Magazine—Vail, Colo., April 8, 2026—Shaydar Edelmann has been appointed as vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. He succeeds Beth Howard, who is retiring at the end of the ski season after 41 years with Vail Resorts, but will “remain engaged” during a leadership SAM Magazine—Vail, Colo., April 8, 2026—Shaydar Edelmann has been appointed as vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. He...
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Faces and Places
Kissing Bridge Hires Matt Thomas as General Manager
SAM Magazine—Glenwood, N.Y., March 2, 2026—Kissing Bridge All Seasons Resort has hired Matt Thomas as its new general manager. Thomas comes to the role with nearly 30 years of ski industry experience, most recently serving more than six years as director of risk management at Telluride Ski and G SAM Magazine—Glenwood, N.Y., March 2, 2026—Kissing Bridge All Seasons Resort has hired Matt Thomas as its new general manager. Thomas comes to the...
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Faces and Places
Alterra Names Flueck as Chief Customer Officer, Ikon Pass President
SAM Magazine—Denver, Feb. 18, 2026—Alterra Mountain Company has appointed David Flueck as chief customer officer and president, Ikon Pass. Flueck will lead the company’s customer engagement strategy as well as its sales, marketing and communications functions, and steward continued growth of t SAM Magazine—Denver, Feb. 18, 2026—Alterra Mountain Company has appointed David Flueck as chief customer officer and president, Ikon Pass. Flueck...
AWARDS AND CONTESTS
The Summit Series
SAM's Summit Series leadership development platform offers mountain resort professionals at all levels the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, peers, and experts, and gain tangible takeaways to apply to their careers, operations, and teams. Learn more.
SAMMYs
The SAMMYs highlight innovative, inspiring, courageous, and passionate leaders who are making a difference in the industry locally or nationally. Nominations open in January. Check out last year's winners and learn more.
10 Under 30
SAM Magazine is always looking for a few talented, young men and women for our annual "10 Under 30" feature, which profiles up-and-coming employees in their 20s who are rapidly making an impact in our industry. Thank you for your help in identifying these bright and industrious rising stars with the passion and fire that will ensure the success of mountain resorts across North America for years to come. View this year's 10 under 30 class and learn more. Nominations open at the end of April.
I AM a Snowmaker
The I AM a Snowmaker contest—sponsored by HKD Snowmakers—highlights the hard work, determination, and camaraderie of snowmakers, and recognizes their critical contributions to the alpine, Nordic, snowboard, and winter tubing industry. I AM a Snowmaker was launched in 2013, and has highlighted the expertise and character of a wide variety of snowmaking teams across North America. Learn more.
Rise Up Challenge
A good lift mechanic is hard to find. Leitner-Poma of America wants to help the industry rise up to the challenge of supporting the next generation of lift mechanics, with the annual Rise Up Challenge. Six chosen resorts will create videos showcasing the rising stars on their lift maintenance crews, alongside mentors and teammates. Learn more.
