Steamboat Ski Resort Vice President of Mountain Operations Dave Hunter has been announced as the resort’s President & Chief Operating Officer effective immediately, after serving as interim resort lead during the six-month search to fill the position when former President & COO Rob Perlman was promoted to Executive Vice President Regional Operations for Alterra Mountain Company.

Hunter is a 30+ year veteran in the ski industry, who joined the Steamboat Leadership team in 2017. Prior to Steamboat Hunter was the Director of North American Sales for snowcat manufacturer Prinoth and the Director of Operations at Eldora Mountain Resort outside of Boulder, Colorado for more than 15 years. Throughout his career, Hunter has made it a priority to serve his community and currently serves as the President of Steamboat Mountain Village and is the Vice Chair on the Steering Committee for the Yampa River Fund in Steamboat. He has also served as the Chairman of the Colorado Ski Country USA Snowmaking Slope Maintenance Committee and currently serves as the Vice Chair on the Colorado Passenger Safety Tramway Board. Hunter grew up on the slopes of Mt. Tom Ski Area in Holyoke, Massachusetts where his family played a large role in operating the mountain and Hunter had his first job as a busser and restroom cleaner.

“Dave has been around the ski business his entire life and for the past decade, Dave has worked for the world’s leading snowcat manufacturer based in heart of the Alps and then honed his leadership skills running resort operations at Steamboat while being a key contributor to our resort transformation with Full Steam Ahead,” said Perlman. “I am proud to continue to work with Dave in his new role, the Steamboat team and the Yampa Valley community on the next phase of the resort including the Gondola Transportation Center, regional transportation efforts and the mountain rail opportunity.”   

Hunter transitioned from leading the resort’s mountain operations teams, including slope maintenance, snowmaking, lift maintenance and operations and ski patrol, to overseeing the resort’s day to day operations and strategic direction in November; officially assuming the role of President & Chief Operating Offer this week.

“As a young kid on the slopes of a small Massachusetts resort I had grand visions of moving out west and living the ski dream,” said Hunter. “I am in awe that that dream came true, and I can now share my outdoor passion on the highest level. Steamboat is like no other resort or community and I am humbled by the opportunity to continue fostering the special relationship the resort has with its staff, guests and locals.”

Steamboat Ski Resort will host a community “Meet & Greet” with Dave Hunter and other resort leaders on the morning of June 21; more information will be shared soon.