SAM Magazine—Alta, Utah, Sept. 10, 2026—Alta Ski Area has appointed Dave Hirasawa as its new general manager, succeeding Mike Maughan. Hirasawa, a longtime ski industry executive, will assume the role Oct. 19. He will be Alta’s fifth general manager in the ski area’s 89 years of operations.

Hirasawa most recently served as senior vice president of accounting and finance for Boyne Resorts, working across several of the company’s resorts, including Big Sky Resort, Mont.; Brighton Resort, Utah; Boyne Mountain Resort, Mich.; Sunday River and Sugarloaf, Maine; Loon Mountain Resort, N.H.; and The Summit at Snoqualmie, Wash.

Prior to joining Boyne, Hirasawa spent nine years with Grand America Hotels & Resorts, where his responsibilities included, but were not limited to, accounting, resort operations, financial planning, risk management, ski industry partnerships, and information technology for a portfolio that included Sun Valley Resort, Idaho, and Snowbasin Resort, Utah. 

His ski industry résumé also includes leadership positions at Steamboat Resort, Colo.; Canyons Resort, Utah; Talisker Mountain, Inc., Utah; and American Skiing Company. Hirasawa began his career in investment banking in New York and is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

In a statement, the Alta hiring committee said: “Throughout our search, we were focused on finding a leader who understands and respects what makes Alta unique—our employees, our community, our independence and, above all, our commitment to providing an authentic skiing experience in a natural mountain environment. We believe Dave is the right person to carry those values forward while helping sustain Alta into the future.”

Maughan announced his plan to retire earlier this summer. He has worked at Alta for more than 36 years, serving as president and general manager since 2017. 

Hirasawa will work with Maughan and Alta’s leadership team during the transition.