Once a lift operator, James Grant has made a major climb in the organizational structure at Heavenly ski resort in Lake Tahoe.
Heavenly Mountain Resort, home for skiing and snowboarding in South Lake Tahoe, announced recently the selection of Grant as its new 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 began his new role today (June 7).
“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 lift operator 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.
“This is an exciting day for my family and me,” Grant said. “I’m looking forward to elevating our already high standards for guest service and safety, and helping develop the Vail Resorts brand at Heavenly.”
Grant’s promotion comes on the same day that Heavenly’s director of Snow Surfaces, Jim Larmore, is introduced as the new director of Mountain Operations at Northstar California Resort.
“There were many qualified applicants for these two positions from all over the country, but the best of the bunch coming from Heavenly says a lot about how we develop leaders here,” Sonntag said.
Grant lives in the Tahoe area with his wife, Allison, their 15-year-old daughter, Teagan, and nine-year-old son, Cameron.
Read more Examiner.com ski stories:
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- Arapahoe Basin ski resort last one to close in Colorado
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- Heavenly will host U.S. Freestyle Championships next two years
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- Snowmaking system saved the season for Heavenly ski resort
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