Industry News
Australian Belinda Trembath has been named Whistler Blackcomb’s newest vice president and chief operating officer, effective May 15, 2023. Trembath has over 30 years of experience in the ski industry and mountain operations and has been Chair of the Australian Ski Areas Association (‘ASAA’) since 2018. Vail Resorts announced the appointment on April 20, 2023.
Born and raised in the Australian state of Victoria (‘VIC’), she began skiing at age six and started her career in the ski industry as a lift operator and ski instructor at Hotham. In 2006, Trembath was appointed Vice President & General Manager of Mt Hotham, VIC. Starting in 2019, she also provided oversight for Falls Creek, which has the largest skiable area in Victoria.
In March 2022, she was named Vice President & General Manager of Perisher when Peter Brulisauer resigned. Brulisauer had been instrumental in selling Perisher Resort from the Packer family to Vail Resorts. Perisher is the largest alpine resort in the southern hemisphere, located in the Australian state of New South Wales (‘NSW’), and was purchased by Vail Resorts in 2015. Trembath, known locally only as ‘BT’, played a key leadership role in helping Perisher, Falls Creek, and Mt Hotham successfully navigate the pandemic and reopening borders. Perisher, Falls Creek, and Mt Hotham are all part of Vail Resorts, with the latter two acquired in 2019.
“Belinda is dedicated to ensuring the preservation of unique mountain cultures alongside a commitment to excellence across the employee, guest, and community experience. This is what makes her an exceptional mountain operator. I can’t imagine a better leader to step into the COO role at Whistler Blackcomb to help guide the next chapter of such an iconic, influential, world-class resort.”
– Doug Pierini, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Vail Resorts’ West Region and Interim COO at Whistler Blackcomb
“I am honoured and thrilled to be the COO of Whistler Blackcomb. It is not lost on me how profound this opportunity is, and I look forward to being an advocate for our resort and its passionate employees, our guests, and the iconic Whistler community. Canada has always held a special place in my heart – early on in my career, I spent a season in BC at Big White. A spark ignited within me, and I always hoped to find my way back. It is a bit surreal that this dream is now a reality. My husband and children also feel a connection to the beauty of BC, and they are looking forward to this new adventure.”
– Belinda Trembath
Trembath’s appointment to lead Whistler Blackcomb Resort comes just weeks before the start of the Australian ski season. Her start in Whistler just four weeks before the season-opening of Perisher will leave a gap that must be filled quickly.
SnowBrains reached out to Vail Resorts for an update on her replacement for Perisher. Gavin Girling, HR Director at Vail Resorts Australia, stated: “We can confirm that Belinda Trembath, affectionately known as BT, will be leaving Perisher to assume the role of VP + COO at Whistler Blackcomb in the Canadian province of British Columbia, effective May 15. […] The recruitment process has begun to find her replacement and an announcement will be made when the successful candidate is officially selected.”
