Aspen Ski Co. has finally found their new CEO.
Mike Kaplan has been the CEO of Aspen for three decades, but made the announcement back in March 2022 that he would retire at the end of this season.
In a press release, Aspen has announced that Geoff Buchheister will take over as CEO following Kaplan’s retirement on April 30th.
Buccheister is an industry veteran.
He worked in various leadership roles at Park City Mountain Resort, UT for 16 years, and joined the Vail Resorts team when the resort was acquired in 2014.
He then spent a few years bouncing around Vail Resorts’ Midwest properties, had a short stint at Keystone, CO, and had been the COO of Whistler Blackcomb since 2019.
Luring Buchheister away from Vail Resorts is a huge win for Aspen Ski Co.
^Geoff Buccheister
Kaplan, who was involved in the committee to select his successor, had this to say about the hire:
“Geoff and I connected on so many levels,” says Mike Kaplan, president and CEO, Aspen Skiing Company. “He has a deep understanding of the business, but just as important, he is a lifelong skier, and has a deep tie to the mountain lifestyle.
He worked his way up through the industry and understands the importance of building a solid team and putting employees first.”
Buccheister is from Winter Park, Colorado where his dad was an executive at the resort for 44 years.
He’s also a University of Colorado Boulder alumni, and was an All-American racer on the ski team.
He’s returning home, and seems to be absolutely thrilled:
“I’m incredibly excited to be returning to Colorado and joining the Aspen Skiing Company,” says Buchheister.
“I feel a strong connection to the values that the Crown family brings to this organization, and I look forward to being part of this team. Aspen has such deep history, built by a community that loves and celebrates its unique mountain culture.
I’m humbled to have the opportunity to listen and learn as I integrate into the company and the community.”
You can read the full press release here.
So, who will replace Buccheister as the COO at Whistler? We’ll have to wait and see.
Cheers to Aspen Ski Co. for getting their guy.
Here’s hoping he continues to promote inclusivity on the mountain, and invests Aspen’s resources in furthering their already-impressive sustainability plan.
Image Credits: Aspen Snowmass