SAM Magazine—Nederland, Colo., Jan. 16, 2026—Powdr Corp. has hired Andrew Gast to serve as president and general manager of Eldora Mountain Resort, effective Feb. 1. Gast will serve in his current role as general manager of Mt. Ashland, Ore., until Jan. 24.

Powdr CEO Justin Sibley said the company—which remains Eldora’s owner while the Town of Nederland works to secure revenue bond financing and regulatory approvals to complete an asset purchase agreement to acquire the resort—is excited to welcome Gast to the team. “We’re confident his operational discipline and people-first approach will be instrumental as we continue to deliver a high-quality experience for our guests while supporting the incredible Eldora staff and surrounding communities,” he added. 

Gast has served as general manager of nonprofit Mt. Ashland Ski Area since 2022, where he led daily operations, set long-term strategy, and delivered capital improvements, including the ski area’s first new chairlift in more than 35 years.

“I can’t speak highly enough about Andrew,” said the Mt. Ashland Association board president Adam Reiss. “He accomplished so much in a relatively short period of time. Every day, opening the mountain requires overcoming several obstacles, and not only did Andrew take this in stride, but he also prioritized maintaining and improving Mt. Ashland's connection to the local community and made great progress in evolving the mountain into a year-round destination.”

Gast has also served in leadership roles at Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area, Wyo.; Whitefish Mountain Resort, Mont.; Cataloochee Ski Area, N.C.; and the now shuttered Sky Valley Ski, Ga.  

“I believe ski areas are public squares as much as they are businesses,” said Gast. “When they run well, families spend time together, local kids learn to love winter sports, and the town feels proud. I’d like to help Eldora make the most of this moment—steady hands-on busy days, careful growth the community can cheer for, and finances that keep the lifts spinning.”

Gast succeeds longtime Eldora leader Brent Tregaskis, who retired last spring. Powdr CFO Brian Dobias has served as resort general manager in the interim.

“Eldora holds a special place in Colorado’s ski landscape because it’s both a destination and a true community mountain, and Andrew understands what that responsibility means,” said Sibley, who also expressed his thanks to Dobias for his “outstanding” interim leadership.

Gast’s move to Eldora leaves a vacancy at Mt. Ashland. The ski area’s board said it would begin its search for a new GM immediately but expected to operate without a manager for an interim period.

“We intend to take our time to ensure the best candidate for the position is hired,” said Reiss. “We will be searching for someone who not only meets the qualifications to run a ski area, but will continue to support Mt. Ashland’s nonprofit mission to provide and promote a healthy, quality experience in an alpine environment while also ensuring this community asset thrives for decades to come.”

Before hiring Gast, the ski area operated for several months without a GM after Hiram Towle, who led Mt. Ashland for eight years, moved on to be the general manager of nonprofit Bridger Bowl, Mont.

Mt. Ashland opened briefly for the Christmas holiday period, but paused operations indefinitely Jan. 15, due to low snowpack, warm temperatures, and no forecasted snow.

“The Mt. Ashland operations team, with decades of experience, is geared up and ready to go,” said Reiss last week. “Lack of snow is the only issue that is delaying the mountain opening.”

The ski area is refunding lift ticket, rental, and lesson purchases for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, but plans to open as soon as conditions allow.