Shaydar Edelmann Named Next Vail Mountain Chief Operating Officer

Shaydar Edelmann is leaving the high-altitude air of Heavenly Mountain Resort to run Vail.

The Northstar California executive was named Wednesday as the next chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. He takes over for Beth Howard, who announced her intent to retire this fall.

It’s a promotion that moves Edelmann from the Lake Tahoe basin to the Eagle County seat. He brings more than 25 years of snow sports experience. Vail Resorts calls him a “proven leader with deep operational expertise.”

That’s corporate speak for he knows how to keep the lifts running and the snow on the ground.

Edelmann didn’t start in Vail. He’s from Kaikōura, New Zealand. He grew up on the water, not the slopes. He was on the New Zealand Junior Surf Team. But he traded waves for powder in the Lake Tahoe region.

His career started at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort. He worked competitions and events. He moved up through ski and ride school. He took on skier services leadership roles.

He didn’t stop there. He became vice president of operations at Boreal Mountain Resort. Then Soda Springs Mountain Resort. Then Woodward Tahoe.

At Woodward Tahoe, he helped build California’s first recycled water snowmaking system. He managed the construction and grand opening of Woodward Park City. He knows how to build infrastructure. He knows how to manage big projects.

Now he’s heading to Vail Mountain.

Jody Churich, senior vice president of Vail Resorts’ destination resorts, picked him. Churich says Edelmann is “thoughtful” and “innovative.” He says Edelmann has an “entrepreneurial mindset.”

That’s what you say when you want someone to fix things without asking for permission every time.

Edelmann says he’s honored. He sees Vail’s legacy as “extraordinary.” He promises to work alongside the “passionate employees” and the “vibrant community.” He wants to keep Vail leading the industry.

He’s not just talking about skiing. He’s talking about governance.

Edelmann sits on the board of the Tahoe Fund. He’s on the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. He’s on the Tahoe Destination Stewardship Council. He’s on the executive committee of Ski California. He used to be on the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau board.

He’s used to boards. He’s used to committees. He’s used to saying the right things in press releases.

The short version: Vail has a new COO. He’s coming from California. He’s replacing Beth Howard.

What’s missing from the press release?

Vail Resorts didn’t say how much this move costs. They didn’t say if Edelmann’s compensation package includes a signing bonus or equity stakes. They didn’t say how many staff changes are coming with him.

They just said he’s the “ideal person.”

Edelmann will oversee resort operations. That means he’s responsible for the mountain. The terrain. The guests. The employees.

He’s been doing it at Heavenly. He’s been doing it at Park City. He’s been doing it at Boreal.

Vail is betting he can do it there, too.

The mountain is legendary. The politics are complex. The expectations are high.

Edelmann is ready. Or at least, he says he is.

“Vail has built an extraordinary legacy,” he said. “I’m excited to work alongside this talented team to continue pushing what’s possible.”

That’s a promise. It’s not a guarantee.

The community will find out if he delivers. The employees will find out if he listens. The taxpayers — through their ski resort taxes — will find out if he spends wisely.

For now, the announcement stands. Edelmann is the next head.

He’s got 25 years to back it up.