SAM Magazine—Alta, Wyo., June 26, 2025—The Intermountain Ski Areas Association (ISAA) hosted its annual conference at
Award Winners, Paul Etcheverry, Tim Hendrickson, and Bill Cheney. Courtesy of Emma Calder with Thunderbird Enterprise.
Grand Targhee Resort, June 9-11, drawing more than 320 participants from ski areas across Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming, setting a new attendance record. The three-day event included education, discussions, and connection.
The conference offers five different learning tracks—mountain ops core, revenue centers, resort management, lifts (maintenance and operations), and BAVO (base area village ops)—with classes offered for each track. The small resort roundtable was a highlight and one of the best attended sessions.
This year’s gathering also marked a leadership transition, as outgoing ISAA board president Ken Rider of Brundage Mountain, Idaho, passed the torch to Avery Patrick 
NSAA’s Mike Lane leading an education session. Courtesy of Emma Calder with Thunderbird Enterprise.of Showdown Montana, Mont. “I’m honored to step into the role of president and excited to keep the spirit of collaboration going,” said Patrick.
The board added new representatives Tarra McDonald of Park City Mountain, Utah, and Susan Saad of Bogus Basin, Idaho. MountainGuard loss and control specialist Jason Kartchner also joined the board, stepping into the seat long held by MountainGuard program manager Tim Hendrickson, who served for 23 years. Hendrickson will continue in an ex officio role to ensure a seamless transition and continued mentorship.
“It felt so fitting to be at Grand Targhee for this year’s ISAA Conference,” said Patrick. “The setting, the people, and the 
Hiram Towle, Lindsay Korth, and Jason Prasek from Bridger Bowl. Courtesy of Emma Calder with Thunderbird Enterprise.
conversations all really captured what ISAA is about. No matter the size of your ski area or where you’re located, this conference is always such a great reminder that we’re not doing this alone. We’re all facing similar challenges, and the more we work together and share ideas, the stronger our ski areas and communities will be.”
The conference also celebrated the following 2025 ISAA awards recipients, who were honored for their contributions to the industry:
Golden Wrench Award (Operations, Maintenance, Safety & Equipment): Steve Parker, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
Golden Wrench Award (Lift Maintenance): Bill Cheney, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
Outstanding Contribution Awards: Tim Hendrickson, MountainGuard; and (posthumously) Wayne Ragland, Park West Ski Resort, Utah.
Pioneer Award: Paul Etcheverry, Pine Creek Ski Resort, Wyo.
ISAA board: Tim Henndrickson, Mike Doyle, Travis Seeholzer, Jason Kartchner, Alicia Etcheverry, Trent Titmus, Tarra McDonald, Susan Saad, Laura Veitch, Jon Bishop, Avery Patrick, Lindsay Korth, Brian Buse, Ryan Woolsey, and Ken Rider. Courtesy of Emma Calder with Thunderbird Enterprise.
