Vail Resorts, headquartered in Broomfield, announced in late May the appointment of Rob Katz as CEO, who returns to the position after holding the title between 2006 and 2021. The transition comes after Kirsten Lynch stepped down from the position following the 2024-2025 ski season. Lynch received criticism this year in part for the ways Vail Resorts and Utah’s Park City Mountain (which was acquired by Vail Resorts during Katz’s first tenure as CEO) handled a patrol worker strike last winter that had some 200 members of the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association striking for nearly two weeks citing unfair labor practices.
“As Vail Resorts continues to execute its strategic priorities and transformational initiatives, the board believes now is the right time for this leadership transition,” says Bruce Sewell, lead independent director of the board at Vail Resorts, in a prepared statement. “Rob has a strong track record of driving innovation and executing consistent performance at Vail Resorts and has played a critical role in the development of Vail Resorts’ operations and long-term strategy over the past three decades. Rob’s years as CEO included reinvigorating the company during times of industry stagnation and challenging macro-environments. We look forward to continuing to work closely with him to ensure Vail Resorts consistently delivers for our employees, guests, communities, and shareholders as the worldwide ski industry leader.”
Before returning to the role of CEO, Katz served as Vail Resorts’ executive chairperson and will continue to do so as he re-enters the top leadership position. “It is an honor to step back into the role of CEO of Vail Resorts, and it is a privilege to lead the incredible people who make our resorts and company so special,” says Katz. “I remain as passionate about Vail Resorts, the sports of skiing and snowboarding, and this industry as when I first became CEO nearly two decades ago. While the environment and the company itself have changed, what remains the same is our deep-rooted commitment to all stakeholders— including our team members, truly unique mountain resorts, and the communities we serve—as well as to our culture of innovation and constant improvement.”
