Industry News
Russ Coloton is the former Hunter Mountain, New York, General Manager and has a long and distinguished 44-year career in the ski and ride industry. Coloton was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Ski Areas Association and will be presented with the award at NSAA’s 2024 National Convention, on May 22. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary lifetime commitment to NSAA and the ski industry, and whose contributions will benefit the industry for decades to come.
“Russ Coloton became part of the winter sports industry many decades ago, and in more than forty years at Hunter Mountain, he had an incredible impact on the skiing and riding community we know today. Hunter is a beacon not only in the Catskills but also throughout the East as a premier destination for all levels of skiers and riders. I am inspired by Russ’s enduring commitment and exceptional leadership in his remarkable four-decade career at Hunter Mountain,” said Tim Baker, Senior Vice President and COO of Eastern Region Mountain Division for Vail Resorts.
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Over the decades, Coloton has made an indelible mark on the industry, transforming Hunter Mountain into a renowned destination for enthusiasts from NYC and across the East. From his early days as a lift operator to his role as General Manager of Hunter, he has an unparalleled wealth of experiences, insights, and stories to share. Russ Coloton developed a passion for skiing at 8 years old when he first strapped on a pair of skis. This initial passion would shape the course of his career in the skiing and riding industry.
“Starting in an entry-level management position, Russ rose through the ranks to become General Manager, and his steady, thoughtful leadership guided Hunter Mountain through all the challenges the industry faced over the last three decades,” said Paul Slutzky, former owner of Hunter Mountain.
Born and raised in Central New York, Coloton’s first job was as a lift operator at Val Bialas Ski Area during his senior year of high school. He went on to earn a degree in Ski Area Management at Gogebic College, followed by an internship at Sugarbush Mountain. In 1979, he met Orville Slutzky, then owner of Hunter Mountain, where he served guests for more than four decades and served as General Manager from 1999 until retiring in 2023. “Who else but Russ would land his Cessna 150 on the top of Hunter? I have always held an extremely high regard for Russ’s ability to navigate the day-to-day challenges that he has encountered during his tenure at Hunter,” said Dan Fuller, General Manager of Bristol Mountain and Ski Areas of New York (SANY) Board Member.
Coloton resides in Jewett with his wife, Pam. The Coloton family legacy in the skiing industry continues with their two children, Taylor and Ryan. They both have followed in their father’s footsteps, working in prominent roles within the ski industry at Okemo and Woodward Park City. Russ Coloton’s journey in the skiing and riding industry stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication, passion, and vision, and he leaves a lasting impact on future generations of skiers and riders.
