Vail Resort’s John Garnsey to retire following World Championships

By Published On: April 24th, 2014Comments Off on Vail Resort’s John Garnsey to retire following World Championships
John Garnsey poses with Sarah Schleper at the Soelden World Cup opener in 2009. USST

John Garnsey poses with Sarah Schleper at the Soelden World Cup opener in 2009. USST

BROOMFIELD, Colo. – Vail Resorts, Inc. announced that John M. Garnsey, president of the company’s global mountain development, has decided to retire following the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, which he helped to bring back to the Vail Valley for a third time.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce John’s retirement from full-time activities with our Company. John has not only been an integral part of the success of Vail Resorts, but he has also contributed so much to the entire Vail Valley community and to the sport of skiing. He has played an instrumental role in bringing the world to Vail and Beaver Creek with three world alpine ski championships, in developing the guest experience and reputation at Beaver Creek to the incredibly high levels it enjoys today and to helping the Company see through to fruition our new urban ski areas strategy and international partnerships, among so many other notable accomplishments. It is only fitting for John to retire after the 2015 Championships, as it is a perfect crowning achievement for his career,” said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. “On behalf of the board of directors and employees of Vail Resorts, I want to express our deepest appreciation for his many contributions and while John will be missed by all in his day-to-day activities for the Company, he will remain very involved with the sport of skiing and our entire community as we chart the course for our collective future.”

“It’s been an amazing journey and I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with so many smart, creative and hardworking people along the way. I have been a part of the best teams in the industry at Vail and Beaver Creek, all while living in the greatest resort community where, with my wife, Vicky, we raised our children and established lifelong friendships,” said Garnsey. “I’m a very lucky man to say that for the past 40 years I was able to build upon my passion for skiing by helping to elevate our company’s unparalleled guest experiences around the world. I look forward to sharing with family and friends many more wonderful days on our great mountains.”

Garnsey began his lifelong career in the ski industry as a ski patroller at Waterville Valley, N.H., in the 1970s. He headed west in 1974 and joined the race department and trails crew at Vail Mountain, then quickly ascended the ranks in mountain operations. In 1984, he joined the Vail Valley Foundation as vice president and went on to become president from 1991-1999. After the 1999 Vail/Beaver Creek World Alpine Ski Championships, he joined Vail Resorts as senior vice president and chief operating officer of Beaver Creek Resort and became executive vice president in January 2008. In September 2008, he was appointed president of global mountain development for the Company.

Garnsey also acted as executive vice president for the 1989 World Alpine Ski Championships, headed the campaign to bring the 1999 World Championships back to the Vail Valley, and co-chaired the successful bid to bring the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships to Vail and Beaver Creek. He serves on the board of directors of the National Ski Areas Association, the Vail Valley Foundation, The Vilar Center Foundation, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation, and was inducted into the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2012, he received the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s Julius Blegen Award for lifetime service to the sport. Garnsey will be retiring effective May 1, 2015.

Release courtesy of Vail Resorts

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