Summer Updates Fy25/26
Ski School Leadership News - 8/14/25
From: Deirdra Walsh
Good Afternoon, Team –
I want to share the news that Mary Flinn Ware, Senior Manager Mountain Village Ski and Snowboard School, will be departing the resort to pursue another one of her passions as Senior Director of the Equestrian Center for the National Ability Center.
Words can hardly begin to capture the impact that Mary has made on our resort, countless employees, and thousands of guests. I have worked alongside Mary since my very first days at Park City Mountain, and her magnetism, passion, and expertise have been undeniable. She has played a pivotal role in the guest experience at Park City since 1997, when she started as a ski instructor and then became the Children's Ski Program Director in 1999. Throughout her career, Mary has taken on many roles, including her current role as Senior Manager of our Mountain Village Ski and Snowboard School.
Mary spent 9 years on our Intermountain region's PSIA board of directors and she spent 3 wildly fun years promoting awareness for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games with our Legacy ski and ride program. She has been instrumental in our kid-centric ski and ride school offerings, our locals youth ski and ride programs, launching our women's ski and ride program, and our overall commitment to youth accessibility. From spearheading the High Meadows beginner area project, to our Adventure Alleys, to her multiple years of involvement with our Epic Employee Foundation, including 2 years leading the EP Foundation for our resort, Mary's influence has been both seen and felt on the mountain and beyond.
I have such appreciation for Mary's years of service and leadership. Her bright smile, infectious laugh, unwavering focus on our guests and her creativity in promoting our sport has inspired us all.
Mary's last day will be August 22nd. Please join me in wishing her all the best in her next chapter.
Sincerely,
Deirdra Walsh
VP & COO Park City Mountain
From: Mary Flinn Ware
Moving on from my role here was a very hard decision that I have spent many hours pondering since the National Ability Center opportunity arose. The NAC was pivotal in my life when I started here in 1997, so taking a new role there is full circle, and maybe this old dog can learn a few more tricks.
I have been so fortunate to have had the opportunity to not only lead, but learn from you. This role has taught me much, and I look forward to being back this winter in BLUE, teaching part time. We have such a talented strong group here, all of you included, and I am proud that I have been part of building this team. Thank you, and I want to specifically thank our entire management, training, and admin team for all the hard work they do every day, and the support they have always provided to me.
Rachael, along with the entire team here will continue with our summer projects and preparing for onboarding in October. I met Tina, our new incoming director a few years ago in Keystone, and I look forward to seeing what she will continue to bring to our ski and snowboard school this season and years to come.
I’ll be around the mountain village in and out until the 22nd of this month, after that, Mountain Village and Program staff, please reach out directly to your location manager Tyler, Bob, or Sussman regarding programs, as needed.
Working more closely teaching and mentoring, be that instructors, and working with horses are my passions, like skiing, my dream of a lifetime!
Training Newsletter (link below)- 7/30/25
Director of Skier Services Announcement - 7/29/25
Good Afternoon –
I am excited to share the news today that Tina Buford will be the new Senior Director of Park City Mountain’s Skier Services. Tina currently serves as Vice President and General Manager of Hotham Alpine Resort in Australia and will join our Park City team following their current ski season.
Originally from Austria, Tina has been a long-time leader in the ski industry with a career spanning more than four decades, including 32 years at Perisher as the resort services director and two years at Hotham as VP and GM. Tina has held positions in the Austrian, Canadian, and U.S. ski industry, and she has represented Australia at two InterSki Congresses. With experience at Kitzbühel Ski Resort in Austria, Big White Ski Resort in Canada, Vail Mountain and Winter Park in the United States, and Perisher and Hotham in Australia, I am so excited to welcome Tina and her global industry experience and leadership to our resort.
During her time at Hotham, Tina was instrumental in revitalization efforts across the resort, including reimagining not only the Snowsports School experience but also the overall resort experience. She led the redesign and relocation of the Kids Snowsport School at Hotham to enhance the beginner and family experience with a fresh indoor space and new dedicated on-snow learning areas. At the same time, she and her team successfully repurposed the former learning space to implement a progression-focused terrain park and freestyle zone for resort skiers and riders. I am sure that Tina’s passion for our sport and innovation will be an excellent match for our Skier Services team.
I would also like to sincerely thank the entire Skier Services leadership team for their dedication and commitment to one another, the resort, and the entire ski and ride school team as we worked to fill this important position. We have an incredible Skier Services team because of all they do.
We will share additional details about Tina’s relocation to Park City as the end of the Australian ski season nears. Until then, I’m glad to pass along that Tina is excited to relocate with her husband, Andy, and their beloved dogs, Bailey and Duke. They will be joining their daughter, who resides in the United States. Please join me in welcoming Tina to the Park City Mountain team!
Sincerely,
Deirdra Walsh
VP & COO Park City Mountain
June Ski & Snowboard School Newsletter - 6/6/25
Happy June !
Temps have been favorable and summer operations are opening this Saturday June 7th. Mary, Barb, Sue and Rachael are already busy with product build and interviews, we are looking forward to our Location managers returning at the end of this month !
New CEO announced, Rob Katz returning to this role, see attached for the full announcement.
A new experienced base operating model has been announced. As part of the two year resource efficiency transformation plan that was announced last September. Moving from a geography based to an experienced based model, this organizes us into new resort types – Destination – Regional Destination – Local – Europe and Australia. Park City sits in the Destination group along with Whistler / Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone. The purpose is to focus on shared characteristics and best practices to drive operational excellence and support the employee and guest experience.
Join us for the annual Summer Picnic, July Wednesday 16th, 5 pm onwards at Mountain Dell Park.
Click here for details and to RSVP: www.parkcityssbs.com/summercookout
Reminder on our recruiting bonus - this is Park City Ski & Snowboard school initiative rewarding you for recruiting certified instructors.
Make sure you follow these steps to qualify!
PSIA / AASI dues: its June, so time to pay your annual PSIA / AASI dues to avoid a late fee.
Once you have your 2025-2025 Cert Card, use this form to submit a photo or screen shot of your current card to Ski & Snowboard School Admin.
Park City Resort is open for summer – June 7th to September 28th
As a SIS employee, you and your dependents passes are valid for scenic rides. Also, a reminder that your unused ticket coupons can be redeemed for summer scenic rides or bike haul: check your coupon for the details. (Note – you must have picked up your vouchers during the season)
Summer Virtual Clinics are live. Keep your ski / snowboard focus through the summer with online Zoom training presented by Vail SRS trainers:
Mondays – Kids specialists
Tuesday – snowboard
Wednesday – Alpine
Thursday – Adaptive
· Follow this link for full details and zoom links for each topic
