By Shannon Lukens.
Jim Schneider has announced his retirement from Steamboat Resort. Schneider is the Vice President of Planning and has been with the ski area for 41 years.
“It’s been a great ride. Steamboat is awesome. Best industry team, I think, in the industry, and the people in the community are what makes Steamboat so great. But I’m going to be on First Tracks every day, so I’ll see them.”
Schneider has been coordinating the Full Steam Ahead improvement projects at the mountain most recently. His last day is at the end of the month. He will still consult over the summer.
Steamboat Resort President Rob Perlman made the announcement at the Steamboat Resort Town Hall Monday night.
Here is more in a letter to staff from Steamboat President and Chief Operating Officer Rob Perlman.
Team Steamboat,
The changing of the seasons sparks other change at the resort and with great admiration I announce the retirement of Jim Schneider, our Vice President of Planning on May 27, 2023. During his illustrious 41-year career at Steamboat Ski Resort Jim has been instrumental in transforming the resort, collaborating with the community and living the Steamboat Way.
Jim started with the company in 1982 as a seasonal ski instructor and worked his way up to Vice President of Skier Services in 2002 where he led the ticket office, rental and retail, security and transportation, SnowSports school and majority of the guest facing components of the resort. In 2021 Schneider transitioned to VP of Planning to focus on Full Steam Ahead, the largest development in Steamboat Ski Resort history, and oversaw resort facilities and onsite project management while coordinating with development partners to bring Steamboat’s Master Development Plan to life. With Phase III of Full Steam Ahead completion expected for the 23/24 winter, Jim determined now is the appropriate time for him to take a step back. As the resort explores new transformative projects for the future, there’s always going to be a plan that needs Jim’s attention, and this transition is the appropriate time for him to fulfil his dream of retiring, before getting sucked into another, new, multi-year project.
When Jim came to me with this news, we discussed his tenure and his impressive list of accomplishments. He has truly embodied sharing the Steamboat Dream, from traveling with the marketing department to share his passion for our mountain and community, to leading the charge to host the USA Pro Cycling Challenge three times; directing numerous Freestyle World Cups, Olympic Trials and international mountain bike events to making our vision for the future of Steamboat Ski Resort a reality. Jim’s dedication goes well beyond the resort operations, he has been a key component for the close bond between our community and our resort serving on the board of Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club for nearly fifteen years, the Urban Renewal Authority Advisory Committee for nearly two decades, President of the Gondola Square Condominium Owners Association for more than 10 years and as a founding member of the Steamboat Adaptive Sports (STARS) and the president of the board for four years. Jim was also on the board of the Professional Ski Instructors of America Rocky Mountain Division from 1990-1996 and was the president for 5 of those 6 years.
In his letter to me, Jim touched on his pride for the work he and his team did in the SnowSports School supporting our industry goals of making skiing and riding more accessible and growing participation in the sports. He said, “I am incredibly proud of my contributions to the operations of the ski area through the years including being the key visionary for Greenhorn Ranch and it’s graduated terrain and innovative approach to introducing skiing and riding to new participants. Leading the Steamboat SnowSports School for more than two decades and then watching it become one of the best in the industry has been an honor. To hear the positive response to Greenhorn Ranch, both from our guests and our instructors, is the icing on the cake.”
While it’s always hard to have a valuable member of our team leave in an official capacity, I take solace knowing that Jim has offered to continue to consult with us, as necessary, in the foreseeable future to ensure our Full Steam Ahead Phase III projects are successfully completed. And I take comfort knowing we will see even more of Jim on the trails, at community functions and taking advantage of the reasons we choose to live in the Yampa Valley- while enjoying more time with his family and friends.
Jim’s dedication, passion and knowledge will be missed, but his legacy will forever be a part of the success of Steamboat. Please take a moment to congratulate Jim on his incredible career and what’s to come.
Rob