Colorado Ski Industry Snow Professionals Gather For Snow Season Kick Off

Last Thursday, September 30, Snow Season Kick Off at Sunlight, a gathering for snow industry professionals—snowmakers, groomers, terrain park pros and associated manufacturers-- to share ideas, reconnect and prepare and build stoke for the upcoming winter.

The day featured presentations and discussions on snowmaking, snow equipment and a session focused on fire mitigation with the United States Forest Service. The keynote panel included an operations discussion and round table featuring Melanie Mills, President and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA, Dave Hunter, Vice President of Mountain Operations at Steamboat, Ryan Schramm, General Manager of Powderhorn, Jace Wirth, the Mountain Resort Manager of Granby Ranch and Travis Benson, the Mountain Manager of Buttermilk.

Several Colorado Ski Country Double Diamond Award Winners from last season were also recognized by their peers including Scott Alder from Steamboat, the 2020-21 Groomer of the Year, Maddy Pierce from Copper, the 2020-21 Snowmaker of the Year and Kevin Sprecher from Eldora, the 2020-21 Terrain Master of the Year.

“As ski areas continue to make exciting investments in their operations and the guest experience, the Snow Season Kickoff was the perfect way for mountain operations teams to get ready for the season,” said CSCUSA President and CEO Melanie Mills. “With fall colors peaking across the high country and temperatures cooling, snowmaking and the 2021-22 season are just around the corner.”

The Snow Season kick Off was sponsored by HKD Snowmakers, Piston Bully, Prinoth, SMI Snowmakers, Snomax International and Snowgage.