There are so many heroes in the story of Vail Resorts and in the ski industry as a whole. Those are the journeys that CEO Rob Katz explores on this podcast, while also tackling some tough questions, like crowding, labor, and accessibility. Joined by his Chief of Staff and the occasional guest, Rob dives into the values that guide our company, the decisions that shape our future, and the stories that inspire us to keep pushing forward.
Subscribe:.rss.atom.json.md.m3u.pls
Live Last read · last published · next check
Saves to your Listen queue, to pick up on another day or another device.
For nearly two decades, our integrated network of world-class resorts has been at the heart of our success as a company. In this episode of Epic By Nature, CEO Rob Katz explains how that owned-and-operated model will play an even bigger role in driving future growth. He also addresses external questions about whether our mountains would be more successful on their own and shares how we think about…
Earlier this month, Pat Campbell—a trailblazing leader who has helped to shape our company and our broader industry—became the first woman to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). In this episode, Rob sits down with Pat shortly after her recognition to talk about her remarkable career, what it felt like breaking so many barriers, and why creating…
In this episode of Epic By Nature, CEO Rob Katz sits down with Joel Gratz, Founder and CEO of OpenSnow to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to predict a powder day. From translating complex weather models, to the emotional weight of knowing millions of people are watching every forecast update in real time, Joel shares the process, pressure, and passion behind OpenSnow.
Our sport runs on passion—which means that sometimes, strong opinions can be treated like absolute truths. From “skiing is dying because it’s too expensive” to “skiing is ruined because the mountains are too crowded,” there are several commonly held myths that can shape how people feel about the ski industry and our company, long before they ever set foot on the mountain. In this episode, CEO Rob…
Our sport is at the beginning of a generational handoff—for the first time, a cohort of new skiers and riders are arriving to the mountains fully fluent in a digital world where community and identity are often built first online and reinforced later in person. As Vail Resorts launches new young adult pricing for our 2026/27 Epic Pass products, CEO Rob Katz sits down with content creator Grace…
In our latest episode of Epic By Nature, we’re building on the conversation we started earlier this season around how to make skiing and riding more accessible and more welcoming to more people. CEO Rob Katz sits down with Quincy “Q” Shannon, a leading organizer in Denver’s Black snowsports community, to discuss who feels invited onto the mountain and what it truly takes to build a sense of…
The start of the North American ski season has largely been a tale of two winters. While parts of the country saw historic early snowfall, the Rockies experienced one of the worst early-season snowfalls in more than 30 years. And yet for all our teams, winter has been anything but slow. In this episode, CEO Rob Katz talks with Keystone Resort’s Senior Mountain Operations Director about how…
What does it mean to balance labor unions, employee needs, guest expectations, and community commitments? One year after the labor strike at Park City Mountain, CEO Rob Katz and his Chief of Staff reflect on lessons learned, share insights into the company’s approach to organized labor, and explore the responsibilities and stakeholders that extend beyond the bargaining table.
Food is more than just fuel when you’re skiing or riding—it’s a core part of the fun. But as trends and expectations change, so too must the dining experience—which is why Vail Resorts recently announced a series of strategic investments and upgrades to elevate mountain dining across our portfolio. In this episode, CEO Rob Katz talks with two of our leading innovators about how mountain dining is…
In 2008, the Epic Pass revolutionized skiing and riding, delivering unmatched value for guests and long-term stability for the industry. But for those who cannot commit to skiing and riding ahead of the season, the rise of season passes left a gap—one that Vail Resorts is trying to bridge with a new lift ticket discount for skiers and riders who plan a month ahead. In this episode, CEO Rob Katz…
