Vermont Ski Areas Association Names Molly Mahar As New President

Industry veteran Molly Mahar is the new president of the Vermont Ski Areas Association (VSAA). This will be Mahar’s second stint with VSAA, having served as the association’s director of marketing from 1995 to 2001. She is currently the vice president of marketing and sales at Loon Mountain Resort, N.H. Her first day at VSAA will be Jan. 8.

“The Board is very excited for the future of VSAA under Molly’s leadership,” said Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort and chair of the VSAA Board of Directors. “Her substantial ski resort experience will be a real asset as we work on issues of importance to the industry and on growing ski resort tourism in Vermont in both winter and summer.”

Mahar’s other industry experience includes nearly three years as the director of marketing at Sugarbush, Vt., and a year as director of marketing at Bolton Valley, Vt., before she took on the role at Loon in 2006. She also serves on the Board of SnoCountry, is a past president of the Western White Mountains Chamber of Commerce, has served on Ski New Hampshire’s marketing committee, and represented the ski industry on New Hampshire Tourism’s Joint Promotional Program Screening Committee.

“I am excited to return to Vermont, and grateful for the opportunity to promote and advocate for the state’s ski industry, a key tourism and economic driver for the state,” said Mahar. “I look forward to working with the Ski Vermont membership and staff, government agencies and other groups toward collaborative solutions to make Vermont a better place for everyone to live, work and play.”

VSAA is a non-profit trade group representing 20 alpine areas and 30 cross country centers. Mahar’s focus as president will be on governmental affairs, lobbying at the Statehouse in the interest of Vermont ski areas, and overseeing the VSAA staff, programs, and operations.