Vail Resorts announces management changes at Falls, Hotham

Vail Resorts has promoted its Mt Hotham VP and GM Tina Burford to its largest ski resort in the United States, and also strengthened alignment of its Victorian resorts by appointing Falls Creek VP and GM Richard Phillips to now also oversee Hotham. Announcing the changes on Monday, Vail Resorts said Mr Phillips' vice president and general manager role at both Hotham and Falls Creek ski resorts takes effect from 14 September and will help create "new synergies and collaboration between the neighbouring resorts". Ms Burford will leave her current position of vice president and general manager at Hotham at the end of this winter, relocating to the USA to be the new senior director of skier services at Park City Mountain in Park City, Utah – the largest ski resort in the United States. Mr Phillips has led the team at Falls Creek for nearly six years and has more than 25 years of experience in the ski industry in Australia, including former roles in sales and marketing at both Perisher and Thredbo. During his time at Falls Creek he has developed strong partnerships with the local community, and been a strong advocate for improved snowmaking on key areas of terrain to improve access to lodging and village services, enhancing the resort and guest experience. “Rich is a driven, thoughtful, strategic leader and community partner, and he is the right person to bring together the leadership of both Falls Creek and Hotham,” said Jody Churich, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Vail Resorts’ west region. “This multi-resort leadership model has proven successful in our operation of resorts in North America, creating deeper connections, better efficiencies, and encouraging more collaboration across resorts that are closely related based on size, scale, and geography." Mr Phillips said he was "super excited" to be joining the Hotham team and community in this new role. “With Hotham being a part of the Vail Resorts family, I have been exposed to the resort in many ways and have been inspired by the passion shown for the mountain and the constant drive to improve the guest experience across all areas of the resort," he said. "I am well aware there is much to learn and I'm hungry to better understand all facets of such a unique and beautiful resort. "I not only look forward to the opportunity to bring my knowledge and experience to Hotham but also the opportunity to learn from that team and community as I expand my role and impact across our resorts in Australia. "Tina has done an incredible job leading the team at Hotham and providing a great experience for skiers and riders, and I am honoured to carry that work forward with the foundation she and the leadership team have set over the last two years.” Ms Burford has been a long-time leader in the ski industry with a career spanning more than four decades with 32 years at Perisher, including as the resort services director and two years at Hotham as the VP and GM. During her time at Hotham, she was instrumental in revitalisation efforts across the resort, including reimagining the overall resort experience and the Snowsports School experience - leading the redesign and relocation of the Kids Snowsport School to enhance the beginner and family experience with a fresh indoor space and new dedicated learning areas on snow. At the same time, she and her team successfully repurposed the former learning space to implement a progression-focused terrain park and freestyle zone for resort skiers and riders. “I am excited to see Tina take on a critical role for our company and team at Park City Mountain in the USA after such an accomplished career in Australia,” Jody said. “Tina has vast experience training and teaching at resort ski and snowboard schools around the world and has even been an instructor at Vail Mountain in the USA. "With this move and her appointment to a key role at one of our North American resorts, Tina is following in the footsteps of another accomplished leader from our Australian region, Belinda Trembath, who has brought her Aussie perspective and leadership to Whistler Blackcomb as the resort’s COO starting in 2023. 'We are grateful to have such talented leaders share their impact across the Vail Resorts global portfolio of resorts.” Ms Burford said she was "incredibly proud" of the work done at Hotham during her time there as VP and GM, particularly to improve the Snowsports School experience for guests. “Prior to leading Hotham, I spent a large part of my career running resort skier services at Perisher, and I am excited to return to these roots at the our iconic Park City Mountain," she saido" "I am incredibly passionate about this sport, its growth for our resorts and our industry, and inspiring the next generation of skiers and snowboarders. "I look forward to bringing this passion and drive to the team at Park City.”

Vail Resorts announces management changes at Falls, Hotham

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