Squaw Valley, CA – Nancy Cushing, CEO of Squaw Valley Ski Corporation and wife of founder Alex Cushing, will retire and be replaced by ski industry veteran Andy Wirth, longtime vice president of marketing and sales at Steamboat Ski Resort in Colorado. The announcement was made by both Squaw Valley and Steamboat officials late Tuesday afternoon.nWirth will be responsible for all aspects of resort operations at Squaw Valley USA, and he will report directly to the Board of Directors at Squaw Valley Ski Corporation effective Aug. 2.
Wirth’s career at Steamboat began in 1986, and he has advanced through successive leadership roles in marketing and sales management throughout his tenure with the resort operating company. In 2007, Wirth joined Intrawest ULC as a result of the company’s acquisition of Steamboat and was soon promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer with responsibility for all of the marketing and sales functions for Intrawest’s portfolio of mountain resorts, including Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Quebec’s Mont Tremblant, Stratton Mountain in Vermont and Winter Park Resort in Colorado. In addition, he held a concurrent role in which he oversaw Intrawest’s enterprise-wide strategic alliances along with the development and management of the marketing and sales efforts associated with Intrawest’s Hospitality Management division with operations in North America, Europe, Mexico and Hawaii.
“Squaw Valley USA has a reputation as a premier resort destination with a proud Olympic heritage and strong ties to the local community,” said Cushing, Squaw Valley Ski Corporation’s Board Chairperson. “Now is the time for our next phase of growth, and we are delighted to have an executive of Andy’s caliber and breadth of experience to lead our resort into the future. His years of dedicated service at Steamboat have helped to create one of the most well-known and respected resort brands in the travel industry. His experience and wealth of industry knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to create a legendary resort experience at Squaw Valley USA for our customers, homeowners, commercial tenants and team members.”
“Squaw Valley USA is a world class mountain with an incredible and unique place in the history of skiing and riding. I am looking forward to this opportunity as it’s a chance to work with a legendary mountain resort and a terrific management team. I will seek to further strengthen Squaw’s position as the premier ski destination for families and serious skiers alike, as well as creating the most fun, exciting consumer experience anywhere,” said Wirth.
Wirth earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University and attended Edinburgh University in Scotland. He earned the 2002 Steamboat Springs Business Leader of the Year Award and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Global Award for the Top Twenty Five Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing. He’s served the community of Steamboat Springs as a Rotarian, President of the new Mountain Village Partnership Board of Directors, volunteer fireman, a member of the Routt County Economic Development Committee and proudly served as President of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Board of Directors from 2002 to 2010.
“Steamboat is a truly wonderful place and has been home for me for over 20 years. I have enjoyed immensely the 24 years I have been a part of this great community and the ski resort’s successful team,” said Wirth. “I am proud of our accomplishments and will miss Steamboat, but I look forward to new opportunities at Squaw Valley.”
Another ski industry veteran, Rob Perlman, will replace Wirth at Steamboat and will be relocating to Steamboat Springs with his family. He will maintain his current responsibilities at Winter Park as Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing and will provide oversight for Intrawest’s strategic alliance partnerships. Perlman previously served as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Steamboat from 2008-2009. His tenure in the ski industry also includes leadership roles at Colorado Ski Country USA, Vail Resorts and Mammoth Mountain in California.
“I am thrilled at the opportunity to work closely with both the Steamboat and Winter Park teams,” said Perlman. “The Steamboat and Winter Park brands are stronger than ever and having the resorts working hand in hand will enhance our success in the Colorado ski scene.”
“Rob is a ski industry veteran with a diversity of mountain resort experience,” said Chris Diamond, president and chief operating officer at Steamboat Ski Resort. “Rob’s record is one of achievement and we look forward to his return to Steamboat.”