YouTube Star Buys Pebble Creek
Shay Butler, the man behind a popular YouTube channel called “Shaytards,” has acquired little known Pebble Creek Ski Area in Inkhom, Idaho. Butler, who grew up locally and learned to ski at Pebble Creek, wants it to remain an accessible family ski area, but has plans to add summer events, concerts, and mountain biking. Pebble Creek’s 53 trails cover 1,100 skiable acres with 2,200 feet of vertical, served by three triple chairs.

Coleman Group Acquires Hesperus
The investment group led by James Coleman has acquired Hesperus Ski Area, a small, family-oriented hill 11 miles outside of Durango, Colo. Hesperus is the fifth ski area in the group’s portfolio, joining Purgatory Resort, Colo., Arizona Snowbowl, Ariz., Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort, N.M., and Pajarito Mountain, N.M. Coleman’s group is taking over from Jim Pitcher, who had operated the area since 1988. Hesperus will be included on the Coleman group’s Power Pass.

Tamarack Homeowners Now Own the Resort
A group of homeowners has purchased Tamarack Resort, and The Tamarack Municipal Association (TMA), the owners’ association, will operate it. The homeowner group replaces New TR Acquisitions, the developers who owned most of the property at Tamarack Resort. The group has redeemed the chairlifts, zip line course, and mid-mountain lodge by paying off all outstanding liabilities, eliminating an imminent foreclosure by Valley County. “This important milestone clears the way for the TMA to work with third party developers and investors” to complete the resort’s development, says GM Brad Larsen.

People
Ralph Lewis has been named GM of Shawnee Peak, Maine. Lewis succeeds long-time GM Ed Rock, who is retiring but will stay on as an advisor through 2017.

In Vermont, Rich McCoy is taking the helm at Pico Mountain as director of operations. At Killington, Jordan Spear was promoted to marketing manager, and Guy Laperle is the new IT manager.

Sugarbush has several new members on its management team. Tony Chiuchiolo is now the events manager; Annemarie Todd joined the resort as director of human resources; Jake Kenealy was promoted to oversee the rental and repair shops as well as summer programs; and Terry Barbour is the new director of the ski & ride school.

Boyne Resorts hired Ian Arthur to a new position, chief marketing officer.

In the Rockies, Nikol Hampton is now snowsports school director at Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho. … Vail Resorts appointed Greg Sullivan as the company’s new retail chief operating officer. … Sam Parker is the new mountain manager at Powderhorn Mountain Resort. … Jenn Rudolph is leaving Colorado Ski Country USA after nearly 10 years to join Powdr Adventure Lifestyle Co.

At Angel Fire, N.M., Spencer Weimar is now director of marketing and promotions, Brad Miracle is the new RV resort manager, and Christopher Duran is head chef for Legends Grill.

Dave Likins has been promoted to president of Mammoth Resorts, Calif. Mammoth Resorts chief operating officers Mark Brownlie and Eric Clark take over operations at Big Bear Mountain Resort.

In Canada, Arlene Schieven started as president and CEO for Tourism Sun Peaks. … Aidan Kelly was promoted to chief marketing officer at Sun Peaks Resort. … Dale Ewasiuk joined the management team at Powder King Mountain Resort. … Ken Saunders is now executive director at the Edmonton Ski Club. … Danny Tuff is the new CEO at the Whistler Chamber of Commerce.

Awards
MSAA, at its conference in August, inducted Bob Fry, owner of Cross Country Headquarters, into the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association Hall of Fame. Jim MacInnes, CEO and co-owner of Crystal Mountain Resort, Mich., received the Jim VanderKelen Lifetime Achievement Award. … The Maine Ski Hall of Fame is inducting Ski Maine executive director Greg Sweetser.

Olympic alpine skiing medalist Christin Cooper, Paralympic cross-country skiing medalist Steve Cook, Group Rossignol America president Ron Steele, and late chairlift engineer and co-founder of the Cable Transportation Engineering Corporation, Jan Leonard, were honored at the Alf Engen Museum in Utah.

Suppliers
Brian Rosser joined MountainGuard as director of risk management and education following the retirement of Jimmy Lawrence. … Inntopia welcomed Robert Stewart as its new scrum master, and Steven Wolfe started as senior developer.

At new HQ of SIA in Park City, Maria McNulty is the new COO; Kyle Kennedy is director of member services; Todd Walton is director of communications and marketing; and Jo Gabrielson is accounting and human resources manager.

PistenBully and Snow Park Technologies are collaborating on the design of co-branded terrain park equipment...Prinoth is partnering with White Industries Ltd. on international skicross and boardercross construction. Prinoth has also hired Walter Piekarz as alpine snow grooming sales rep for the Northeast territory.

ADG received the World Waterpark Association’s Leading Edge Award for its boogie board ride, Breaker Beach.