SAM Magazine—Steamboat Springs, Colo., Sept. 3, 2026—After previously spending nine years in the role, Rob Perlman has returned as president and chief operating officer of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation (SSRC), effective immediately. Since November 2023, Perlman had served as executive vice president of regional operations for Alterra Mountain Company, which owns SSRC, overseeing the Rocky Mountain region of the Alterra portfolio across Colorado and Utah as well as serving on the Alterra Executive Leadership Team.

The appointment makes official what appeared to have originally been a temporary assignment. Perlman has been overseeing day-to-day operations at the resort for most of the summer while Alterra searched for a replacement for his successor, Dave Hunter, who was promoted to president and COO in May 2024. Alterra reportedly “made the decision to part ways” with Hunter in early June, at which time Perlman stepped in.

“Steamboat is an incredibly special place, and we are fortunate to have Rob Perlman back at the helm, someone who knows and appreciates its valued community and guests,” said Rusty Gregory, vice chairman of the Alterra board of directors. “Rob has more than two decades of experience in Steamboat and in leadership positions within Alterra and will bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the role, once again.”

Perlman’s previous tenure at Steamboat included establishing the vision for and guiding the resort through “Full Steam Ahead,” the multi-year, more than $200 million redevelopment project that delivered a reimagined base area, the Wild Blue Gondola, Greenhorn Ranch learning center, terrain expansion into Mahogany Ridge, and expanded snowmaking.

“Steamboat has never stopped being home, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to once again lead a remarkable team in an exceptional community,” said Perlman, who referred to his time on Alterra’s executive leadership team as a “rewarding experience.” “I look forward to being back in the saddle full-time, building on all that we’ve accomplished and helping shape an exciting future for this extraordinary place.”

Perlman has served in leadership positions at several community and industry organizations including the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, Strings Music Festival, the Yampa River Fund, Yampa Valley Bank, and Colorado Ski Country USA.

In the president and COO role, Perlman will lead Steamboat’s senior leadership team to support employees, prepare for the upcoming winter season, and advance strategic priorities.

This change comes as Alterra is also still searching for a new CEO following Jared Smith’s departure at the end of the 2025-26 ski season after four years in the role. Since then, the company’s day-to-day operations have been overseen by an interim “Office of the CEO” established by the Alterra board. The leadership group includes representatives from Alterra’s ownership partners, KSL Capital Partners and Henry Crown & Company, as well as Gregory, who is also Alterra’s former CEO.