SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., June 5, 2025—The Ski Resort AI Bootcamp is back with a new round of live sessions this summer, offering fresh insights into how artificial intelligence can be used across resort operations.
Presented by SAM and digital agency Eternity, and sponsored by Get Ski Bots, the Ski Resort AI Bootcamp delivers relevant AI content to help operators explore and implement AI tools. Nearly 200 ski industry professionals participated in the first round of the bootcamp in fall 2024, engaging with content designed to support all comfort and experience levels—from the AI-curious to hands-on users.
The next live session, No Dumb Questions: A Live Q&A on AI for Ski Resorts, will take place Monday, June 16, at 3 p.m. ET. Panelists include Mike Lannen, founder of Eternity; Katrina Wagner, founder of AI Help; and Mt. Ashland, Ore., GM Andrew Gast, who is actively implementing AI tools at his resort. The session will kick off with a brief overview of the latest AI tools and a case study from Mt. Ashland, followed by a live Q&A.
Two additional live sessions are planned for later this summer. From Data to Decisions: AI in Dashboards, Reporting, and Security will take place in mid-July, with a panel exploring how resorts are using AI to streamline reporting and build smarter dashboards while keeping data secure. A third session with a to-be-announced topic is also in the works for mid-August.
Registration includes access to all three summer sessions, on-demand content in an online learning platform, and recordings from the previous Ski Resort AI Bootcamp live sessions.
Access for the current sessions is available through Sept. 1, with prices starting at $99 for SAM subscribers. Participants from the fall bootcamp cohort can renew at a discounted rate.
Learn more and register at: saminfo.com/event/ai-bootcamp.
PEOPLE
-
Ethan Austin has been appointed director of marketing at Saddleback Ski Area. Austin brings more than 15 years of marketing and communications experience and has held roles at Inntopia and Sugarloaf.
-
The Snow Angel Foundation appointed John Siewierski as director of resource development. In his new role, Siewierski will focus on strategic planning, securing key resources to further the foundation’s educational efforts, and expanding industry outreach.
-
Killington Resort promoted Josh Reed to communications manager, Laura Kruse to childcare manager, Robbie Cohen to lift operations manager, Tracy Kelly to lodging front office manager, and Matt McAlary to creative services manager.
-
David Ulbrich was named mountain operations director of Gunstock Mountain Resort. Ulbrich brings in more than 20 years of mountain operation experience, most recently serving as the operations and assistant venue manager for Whiteface Mountain, N.Y.
-
Gogebic Community College promoted Josh Bremer to assistant director of Ski Area Management. Bremer was a Ski Area Management student and graduated in 2019. Most recently, he was the assistant mountain manager for Mt. Zion Ski Hill.
-
Carolyn Hailer has been appointed senior director of food and beverage for Snowbird. Hailer brings in over 20 years of experience in hospitality, event management, and operations. Most recently, she was the director of conference services, sales and operations.
-
Aspen One has made several promotions. John Rigney is now chief business development officer, Susan Cross is vice president of mountain operations, Steve Stout is vice president of rental and retail, Ian Stuart is senior director of strategic initiatives, and Trip Riggs is senior vice president of finance. Full report on SAM’s Headline News.
-
CHIP SEAMANS and KRISTEN LEACH, WINDHAM, N.Y.
Chip Seamans, a 39-year ski industry veteran who has served as president of Windham Mountain Club since 2011, has retired from day-to-day operations. Former director of membership Kristen Leach has been promoted to president. Full report on SAM’s Headline News. -
BRENT TREGASKIS, ELDORA, Colo.
Longtime resort leader Brent Tregaskis will retire as Eldora Mountain Resort president and general manager. Tregaskis’s 40-year career in the industry began at Park City Mountain Resort, Utah, in 1984. He has served on the Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) board for 10 years, and is currently vice chair of CSCUSA. Full report on SAM’s Headline News. -
ROB KATZ, VAIL RESORTS
Kirsten Lynch has stepped down as chief executive officer of Vail Resorts, and Rob Katz, who served in the role from 2006 to 2021, is returning to the role, effective immediately. Full report on SAM’s Headline News. -
The new owners of Burke Mountain have coaxed industry veteran Tom Day out of retirement to serve as interim general manager of the resort. Previous GM Kevin Mack, who served in the role for the last 10 years, is now the vice president of transition services. Full report on SAM’s Headline News.
SUPPLIERS
Kelly Frey has been promoted to chief operating officer at flaik. Frey has been with flaik since 2021.
SnowCloud appointed Ryan Triffit director of business development. Triffit brings in over 20 years of experience in tourism, the ski industry, and marketing. Most recently, he was a partner at Dirigo Valley Systems.
Doppelmayr USA promoted vice president of operations Keith Johns to CEO. Johns, a mechanical engineer, started at the company in 2021 as VP of project management. Full report on SAM’s Headline News.
AWARDS
The Midwest Ski Areas Association (MSAA) recognized its former executive director Amy Reents with the 2025 MSAA Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in honor of SMI Snow Makers founder Jim VanderKelen. The award recognizes exceptional leadership, dedication, and contributions to the Midwest ski industry.
Claude Péloquin, Bromont executive vice-president and former ASSQ general manager, received the Réal Boulanger Award, the highest award given by ASSQ.
Mont Gleason was recognized with the Louis Dufour Best Customer Satisfaction Award, or Prix Louis Dufour pour l'Amour du Ski.
The Young Leader Award went to Mont-Blanc's Nicolas Fortier.
In addition to recognizing resort planner Chris Cushing with the 2025 Industry Impact Award and Perfect North Slopes (Ind.) owner Chip Perfect with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award (full report on SAM’s Headline News), the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) named the following award winners at its annual National Convention:
Boreal Mountain, Calif., was awarded the Conversion Cup, which recognizes a ski area’s quantified success in turning beginner skiers and riders into repeat customers.
SkiBig3, Canada, earned the award for Best Overall Campaign in the over 500,000 visits category, while Jay Peak, Vt., was recognized for Best Overall Campaign in the under 500,000 visits category.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo., received the Best Overall Safety Program award for resorts with more than 500,000 visits. Stratton, Vt., took the same honor for resorts with less than 500,000 visits.
Kari Brandt of Diamond Peak Ski Resort, Nev., was named Safety Champion for her contributions to resort safety.
In sustainability, The Summit at Snoqualmie, Wash., received the Golden Eagle Award for Overall Environmental Excellence, and Hunter Wright of Eldora Mountain, Colo., was recognized as the Hero of Sustainability.
Al Raine, Roger McCarthy, and Peter Schumann, were all posthumously recognized with the CWSAA Jimmie Spencer Lifetime Achievement Award. Andy Cohen of Fernie Alpine Resort, British Columbia, received the Jim Marshall Leadership Award. Paul Harkins of Grouse Mountain, British Columbia, was honored with the Rod Chisholm Operations & Maintenance Award, and Christy Allan of the Sea to Sky Gondola, British Columbia, received the Lars Fossberg Excellence Award.
Morgan van der Horst, Cypress Mountain, British Columbia; Omer Dagan, Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia; Marc White, Sun Peaks Resort, British Columbia; Randi-Lee Clarkson, Sunridge, Alberta; and Penny Lindballe, Valley Ski Hill, Alberta, all received CWSAA Peak Performance Awards.
Four remarkable leaders were recognized with a 2025 SAMMY Leadership Award: Bo Bigelow, executive director, Midwest Ski Areas Association and Minnesota Ski Areas Association; Greg Gavrilets, general manager, Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe, Nev.; Melissa Roberts, general manager and CFO, Berkshire East Mountain Resort, Mass.; and Katherine Seleski, project manager, Castle Mountain Resort, Alberta. Full report on SAM’s Headline News.
OBITUARIES
