Keith Kirsten has been named the inaugural director of sales for the reimagined Sierra Nevada Resort, an Outbound Hotel, which is set to have its grand opening on Nov. 1.
“As the newest hotel to open in Mammoth in decades, it was important for us to assemble a team whose hospitality expertise demonstrated a deep understanding of the destination,” says Brent Truax, the property’s managing director. “Keith’s experience encompasses decades of servicing both hotel brands and visitors bureaus, which is an invaluable asset as we reintroduce the resort as a year-round basecamp for adventure in the heart of California’s favorite alpine oasis.”
After beginning his career with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Kirsten spent 20 years managing national accounts for Marriott International, then held the position of director of sales and marketing at Wyndham Puerto Rico. Later, he earned destination experience with leadership positions at the Reno-Tahoe Convention and Visitors Authority, Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Moreover, the Sierra Nevada Resort has quite the interesting history. Clark Gable was one of its original owners. Songwriter Hoagy Carmichael (he wrote “Georgia On My Mind” and “Heart and Soul,” among many other hits) later took over ownwership. Now, after other owners and incarnations, the Sierra Nevada Resort will, according to an opening announcement, “welcome guests to a Western classic reborn as a mountain maximalist retreat.” The resort will offer 179 guest rooms, including 20 four-bedroom villas that will open in May 2023.
Sierra Bar, the resort’s modern American restaurant concept, will spotlight local beers while the lobby wine bar offers a global wine list. Outside, a food garden will feature a rotating selection of food trucks for guests on the go. The restaurant is available for group buyouts, as is the 600-foot Bar Sierra and the 2,400-square-foot outdoor venue. Offering 1,800 square feet of event space, the resort’s primary indoor venue room is located in the heart of the resort adjacent to the lobby, featuring a grand indoor fireplace, a new coffee bar, and the refurbished wine bar from the original resort.
