SAM Magazine—Bennington, N.H., Nov. 21, 2024—Vail Resorts has promoted Deirdre Riley to general manager of Crotched Mountain, effective Nov. 25. Riley most recently served as senior mountain operations manager at Attitash Mountain, N.H.Credit Vail Resorts   

“With nearly 25 years in the ski industry, Deirdre brings a wealth of experience to her new role as GM of Crotched and has demonstrated a remarkable ability to develop high-performing leadership teams, create strategic long-term plans, and build connections with community members,” said Bruce Schmidt, the vice president and general manager of Okemo Mountain Resort, Vt., with oversight of Crotched Mountain and Mount Sunapee, N.H. “We are excited to see the impact she’ll have on Crotched Mountain, the team and the community.” 

Riley began her career in the ski industry at Stowe Mountain Resort, Vt., in 2000 as a mountain services manager before moving to Canyons Resort and Park City Mountain Resort, Utah, where she led the lift operations team. In December 2018, she accepted the role of senior manager of health and safety for Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Colo., and in 2020, she returned to the Northeast to join the team at Attitash, where she played a key role in leading teams through the Covid-19 pandemic and in overseeing two lift upgrades.

“My time at Attitash Mountain has been some of the best in my 25 years in the ski industry,” Riley said. “I am so grateful to the Attitash team, our guests, and community for all they have shown me during my time at Attitash. I am over the moon to be joining the Crotched team and have a lot to learn about the day into night skiing and riding, Midnight Madness, and the stellar team and community that calls this mountain home.”