Why is the Return of Rob Katz to Vail Resorts as CEO Such a Big Deal? On May 27, 2025, Vail Resorts announced that Rob Katz would be retaking the helm as CEO. Katz was previously CEO of Vail Resorts from February 2006 to November 2021. Katz’s first tenure as CEO was marked by drastic changes in the ski industry, many of which were pioneered by Katz himself. In 2006, when Katz first took over as […] Industry News Zach Armstrong | June 11, 2025 1 Comment
Vail Resorts’ Executive Chairman and Former CEO Rob Katz Named to Colorado Business Hall of Fame When Vail Resorts introduced the Epic Pass in 2008, people called the company and its CEO, Rob Katz, crazy for offering such unprecedented access to its ski resorts for a previously unheard-of price. Yet, the Epic Pass went on to completely transform the ski and ride industry – and the spirit of innovation behind its start remains part of the […] Industry News SnowBrains | February 23, 2024 0 Comments
Vail Resorts Executive Rob Katz and Wife Elana Amsterdam Donate $2.66 Million to Boost Mental Health in Mountain Towns The Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust, led by Vail Resorts executive chairperson Rob Katz and New York Times bestselling author Elana Amsterdam, is stepping up its support for mental health initiatives in North American mountain communities. The couple recently donated $2.66 million with aims to bolster mental and behavioral health programs in 12 mountain towns, including 10 where Vail Resorts operates. […] Industry News SnowBrains | February 2, 2024 0 Comments
Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust Awards $2.16m in Grants to 10 Organizations Advancing Racial Equity in Mental and Behavioral Health Investment provides resources to organizations working to eliminate barriers to mental and behavioral health in communities of color The Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust today announced $2.16 million in grants to advance racial equity in mental and behavioral health. The grants were awarded to 10 nonprofit organizations serving BIPOC communities across the country. The grantees – a mix of national and […] Industry News SnowBrains | October 11, 2022 1 Comment
Former Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz Addresses Overcrowding and Takes Responsibility for Staffing Shortages The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast has been given a recording of former Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz’s acceptance speech at the NSAA awards dinner last month. Katz was receiving the Industry Impact Award for 2022. Related: Rob Katz, Vail Resorts CEO Addresses Current Racial Unrest | Admits Personal Failings in Addressing ‘Overwhelmingly White’ Sport Katz used his speech to address […] Industry News SnowBrains | June 6, 2022 12 Comments
Former Vail Resorts CEO ‘Change-Maker’ Rob Katz Honored With 2022 Industry Impact Award The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) honored change-maker Rob Katz (Vail Resorts, CO) with the 2022 Industry Impact Award; and honored ski industry leader Win Smith (Sugarbush, VT) with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. Recognition of these two individuals took place Saturday, May 14, at the association’s National Convention and Tradeshow in Nashville, TN. Related: Vail Resorts’ Rob Katz Donates […] Industry News SnowBrains | May 16, 2022 0 Comments
Vail Resorts’ Rob Katz Donates $32.5 Million to Local Charities | Almost $4.9 Million in Grants to Advance Mental Health Care and Support Racial Justice Efforts Vail Resorts yesterday announced that Executive Chairperson Rob Katz has exercised stock appreciation rights (SARs), and will be making a charitable donation of 100% of the net proceeds he received. After withholding shares for payment of the exercise price and taxes, Katz received 98,209 shares of Vail Resorts stock from the SARs exercise. Based on the net proceeds from the sale of […] Industry News SnowBrains | December 16, 2021 1 Comment
Vail Resorts Has a New CEO as Rob Katz Steps Aside Kirsten Lynch, previously chief marketing officer for Vail Resorts, was yesterday appointed chief executive officer and elected to the Company’s board of directors. Her predecessor, Rob Katz, was appointed executive chairperson of the board and will remain fully active and engaged in Vail Resorts’ key strategic decisions and priorities. Additionally, Ryan Bennett, previously vice president of marketing, lift revenue, was named […] Industry News SnowBrains | November 3, 2021 1 Comment
Vail Resorts Expands Youth Access Program Across 11 North American Cities to Inspire Next Generation of Skiers and Snowboarders Nonprofit partners receiving $560,000 in grants from Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust in advance of 2021/22 winter season Vail Resorts and the company’s CEO, Rob Katz, via his family foundation, today announced 11 organizations receiving approximately $560,000 in grants as part of an ongoing commitment to increase youth access to outdoor recreation. Each of the nonprofit partners work to support youth […] Industry News SnowBrains | September 2, 2021 4 Comments
Vail Resorts Announce First Female CEO as Rob Katz Announces He’s Stepping Down Kirsten Lynch, current CMO, to be appointed CEO and Board Member Rob Katz, CEO since 2006, to become Executive Chairperson Ryan Bennett, current VP of Marketing, Lift Revenue, to be named CMO All transitions effective November 1, 2021 Vail Resorts, Inc. announced yesterday that Kirsten Lynch, the Company’s chief marketing officer, will be appointed chief executive officer and elected to […] Industry News SnowBrains | August 11, 2021 0 Comments
Vail Resorts Creates Deep Pockets With $1.3 Billion Cash On Hand—What’s Next? Vail Resorts as a company is one of the most polarizing topics in the ski community since skiers vs. snowboarders in the mid-’80s. The ski community is torn on whether to hate them for their mass acquisitions or to love them for the variety and coverage that their season pass offers. Regardless, there is one thing for certain: People are […] Industry News Artur | July 1, 2021 5 Comments
Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz to Donate $29.3 Million From SARs Exercise | Announces Increased Focus on Racial Justice Vail Resorts announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rob Katz has exercised stock appreciation rights (SARs) set to expire in 2022 and will be making a charitable donation of 100 percent of the proceeds received. After withholding shares for the exercise price and taxes, Katz received 91,661 shares of Vail Resorts stock from the SARs exercise. These shares will be sold, and the […] Industry News SnowBrains | June 14, 2021 1 Comment
Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz Says Key to Growth is Reducing Crowds As winter 20/21 approaches its natural end, in sharp contrast to the abrupt end of the 19/20 season, resorts will begin looking back at the successes, and failures, of the ski season that almost never was. All resorts introduced operational changes to enforce face-covering compliance, socially distanced lift lines and skier capacities, many closed restaurants, and on-mountain lodges, and ticket […] Industry News SnowBrains | April 14, 2021 20 Comments
Action For Change and Vail’s Steps Toward Inclusivity Last year, the cold-blooded killings of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd amplified the call for social change. Racial injustice, apparent across the world, was thrust into the spotlight through a single message: we have had enough. The response has been positively deafening, without letup. Since these events, a movement has swept the globe calling for systemic change and equality across borders. […] Industry News Alex Mangels | February 25, 2021 1 Comment
Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz Apologizes to Guests for Recent ‘Unacceptable’ Customer Service Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz has admitted in an open apology letter that the recent customer service experience for many guests is unacceptable and details how the company will address the issues going forward. There were always going to be many unknowns going into this season, and Katz admits for all they got right, there are areas where they clearly […] Industry News SnowBrains | December 14, 2020 5 Comments
VIDEO: Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz Answers Your Questions About Reservation System [arve url="https://youtu.be/1PkF-eiaB8o"] SnowBrains | September 16, 2020 Likes Tweets 0 Comments
Vail Resorts Outlines its 2020/21 Winter Operating Plan Vail Resorts’ CEO Rob Katz revealed the company’s operating plan for the upcoming winter 20/21 season in a letter this morning. Today I want to share with you as much detail available on our approach to prioritizing your safety this winter. But first, I want to give you a sense of the principles guiding our decisions. It goes without saying […] Industry News SnowBrains | August 27, 2020 3 Comments
Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz Donates $1.5-Million to Children’s Charities Surrounding Vail Locations Vail Resorts CEO, Rob Katz, and his wife, Elana Amsterdam, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Elana’s Pantry, today shared the grant recipients of their previously announced $1.5 million donation to support youth organizations in cities surrounding Vail Resorts’ locations. Each of the 14 nonprofits receiving grants work to strengthen communities and support youth of color in urban […] Industry News SnowBrains | August 24, 2020 0 Comments
Vail Mountain, CO Plans to Open on Time and With Full Terrain and Lifts This Season, Conditions Permitting At this time, Vail Mountain plans to open the ski resort on time with full terrain and lifts this season, conditions permitting, according to Vail Daily. Related: $57.25-Million Mansion Becomes Most Expensive Home Ever Sold in Vail, CO Vail Mountain Chief Operating Officer Beth Howard recently told Vail Daily that operations this summer have given the company important insights into […] Industry News SnowBrains | August 14, 2020 0 Comments
Vail Resorts’ CEO Posts Open Letter About Next Season | Face Coverings Will Not Be Optional Yesterday, we posted an open letter from Aspen Skiing Co. CEO Mike Kaplan who outlined his thoughts and expectations for the upcoming winter. Today it’s the turn of Vail Resorts’ CEO, Rob Katz. Related: CEO of Aspen Skiing Co. Offers Look at Next Season | Expect ‘Annoying’ Procedural Changes While Kaplan focused very much on operational changes for the upcoming […] Industry News SnowBrains | July 30, 2020 6 Comments