Heavenly Introduces New Director of Mountain Operations

Stateline, CA - Heavenly Mountain Resort today announced the selection of James Grant as Heavenly’s director of Mountain Operations. Grant brings 20 years of experience within Heavenly’s Lift Operations department to the role, the last eight as the director of Lift Operations. Grant will oversee many critical areas of Heavenly’s operation, including Ski Patrol, Snowmaking, Grooming, Terrain Parks, Mountain Safety, Adventure Peak, Race/Events, Lift Operations, Lift Maintenance and Vehicle Maintenance. Grant begins his new role on June 7, 2012.

“I am thrilled to be able to reward James for his years of extraordinary service to our guests and to the Company,” said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly’s general manager. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for his knowledge, experience and focus on guest service. James will play a vital role as we build on Heavenly’s success and take this resort to the next level.”

Grant was born and grew up in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. He studied at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, before taking his first ski industry job as a lift operator at Mount Blue Cow, Australia, in the early 1990s. He came to Heavenly as a liftie for the 1992-93 season, and spent the next 12 years climbing the lift operations ranks until achieving the role of director of Lift Operations in 2004. James’ time in the top spot has been highlighted by his ability to bring out the best in his employees, evidenced by year after year of Company-leading guest service scores. He received a SAMMY Leadership Award from Ski Area Management Magazine in 2008.