In May,Steamboat Ski Resort VP of mountain operations Dave Hunter was promoted to president and COO, taking the reins from Rob Perlman. A 30-year ski industry veteran who’s held executive stints at snowcat manufacturer Prinoth and Eldora Mountain Resort, he grew up at Mt. Tom Ski Area in Holyoke, Mass., where his first job was a busser and restroom cleaner. We caught up with him for his take on Steamboat’s Full Steam Ahead project, the opening of Fish Creek, and cleaning commodes.
How’s it feel to be the new president and COO? I feel honored to lead the Steamboat team, which has consistently provided exceptional experiences for our employees, guests and community. It’s a dream come true as I have spent my entire career working in this industry to achieve this very goal.
Ever think you’d be in this position after starting as a busser and restroom cleaner at Mt. Tom? When I started with those jobs, I never thought this is where I would end up…I was only 14. When I reached early adulthood, I knew this was the industry I wanted to be in. On the slopes of Mt. Tom, I had grand visions of moving out west and living the ski dream. I’m in awe that it came true, especially in Steamboat, which is like no other resort or community.
How’d the opening of Fish Creek go last year? The opening of Fish Creek Canyon and Mahogany Ridge was one of our biggest operational wins in decades. I’m proud of what the team accomplished, which started with the planning and the creation of our operational playbook. We spent two years with helicopter glading and ground crews and we took a mindful and thoughtful approach to allow the terrain to evolve over time. Our philosophy was to approach it conservatively, allowing us time to see how guests interacted with the terrain and then continue to develop it in future years. Overall, the opening of this terrain was a huge success for our teams and our guests.
Any changes to it for this year? We’ll be doing some follow-up helicopter glading to continue to enhance the guest experience in this terrain.
How’d the first year of the new gondola work out? Wild Blue was also a huge success. It provided additional out-of-base capacity in the mornings, and provided a seamless experience for lower level ability levels to download at the end of their day. The mid-station at Greenhorn Ranch allowed our beginning skiers and riders to ride a gondola straight to an area built and designed specifically for learning.
What’s next on the Full Steam Ahead campaign? We’re currently wrapping up snowmaking installation on Tomahawk and Spike trails, completing the Full Steam Ahead snowmaking installation. What started as a three-phase, multi-million-dollar project has transformed into a bigger vision for the resort’s future. The momentum will continue to shape the future through innovative transportation concepts, collaborating on community issues and enhancing the overall experience.
What do you love about town and the resort? I love that we’re a real town with real people; our genuine western heritage has created a culture that differentiates us from any other resort or community. Another differentiator, of course, is our legendary Champagne powder.
What’s your typical ski circuit when you can sneak out? I load Wild Blue and head straight to Flintlock, then hit Rendezvous Way to Rolex or West Side. From there I work my way across to the Storm Peak zone and drop in at Storm Peak South to Sunset to Lower Rainbow and then load Storm Peak Express. From there I take Storm South to Cyclone followed by Drop Out. I love that continuous vertical. On the way back to the base, I’ll take Upper/Lower Buddy’s down to the BC Lift and then ski Heavenly Daze to See Me.
Favorite run on a powder day? Closets.
Sidebar: Fun Hunter Facts:
- He once skied all 14 ski areas in Massachusetts in one day for a fundraiser
- His hometown of Holyoke, Mass., is where Volleyball was invented
- As a young child he did not like skiing and refused to go to ski school
- He gets seasick
- You will never find him on a rollercoaster. Never.
