With over 25 years of experience in the mountain resort industry, Andy Wirth has announced his retirement from Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. Andy served as Squaw Valley’s Chief Executive Officer for much of his time at the resort and is currently the President and Chief Operating Officer of Squaw Valley Ski Holdings. While at Squaw Valley, Andy was instrumental in acquiring Alpine Meadows and the initiative to connect the two resorts with the California Express Gondola. This gondola is set to open in the 2019-2020 ski season and has been a dream of the earliest ski pioneers in the area since the 1960s. By connecting these two resorts, guests will have easy access to approximately 6000 acres of skiable terrain.

Andy also deployed nearly $100 million in capital to upgrade the resort. Changes performed under his leadership included the transformation of the mountain infrastructure and design, renovations to the lodging, dining, and common areas, and an overall improvement in the customer experience. Andy Wirth also led the resort with its goal of reducing its carbon footprint by using 100% renewable-sourced energy. Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is expected to reach this goal in December of 2018 and will be the first resort to do so. Andy Wirth made a tremendous impact on the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Resort and will truly be missed.

In addition to his work with Squaw, Andy has been very active in the Reno/Tahoe community. His community positions include the Board of Directors for the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides grants and scholarships for youth development, education, art, environmental causes in the Lake Tahoe region. He has also served on the Tahoe Fund Board of Directors, which is a non-profit environmental organization in the area. In 2014, Disabled Sports USA recognized him as the Citizen of the Year.

Additionally, Andy Wirth has been on the Executive Committee of the California Ski Industry Association, President and Chairman of the Lake Tahoe Winter Olympics Committee, Board of Directors for the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, Chairman and President of the Reno-Tahoe Regional Air Service Corporation, Chairman of the Reno Tahoe Airport Board of Trustees, and on the National Ski Areas Board of Directors.

Prior to his position at Squaw Valley, Andy was a part of Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp, where he also made a very big impact. His first position there was as a marketing intern in 1986. Andy Wirth rose to the position of Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and served in this role until 2007. He then became the Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Steamboat’s parent company, Intrawest.  As with Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Andy’s contributions to Steamboat Ski and its community were tremendous. He was an active participant in the initiative to bring winter air service to the Yampa Valley Regional Airport.

Andy also led many community-building events in Steamboat such as the Hometown Heroes celebration and Olympic Sendoff. He donated much of his time and money to organizations like the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC), a non-profit organization that provides sports and youth development programs for approximately 1,000 athletes each year.  Andy served as the SSWSC board president for eight years, building it up and strengthening its financial situation. He also served with the Mountain Business Association, North Routt Fire Protection District, Routt County 4-H, and the Colorado Tourism Office Marketing and Communications Committee. These are just a few of Andy Wirth’s many volunteer roles.

What may be considered his biggest legacy during his time at Steamboat was the air program that he brought to the region. The ability for skiers around the country to access Yampa Valley and Steamboat Springs by flight has made a huge impact on the industry in this region.

Throughout his career, Andy has made a difference in his work and in his community and he will be missed. Best of luck in your retirement, Andy.