When Rob Perlman was a kid, growing up in Evergreen and skiing Winter Park, he dreamed of someday running a ski area.
On Friday, he got his wish when Denver-based Intrawest Resort Holdings named the 45-year-old president and chief operating officer of its Steamboat ski area, replacing
His first act as chieftain on Friday was to herald his resort’s employees and the community of Steamboat Springs, which eschews the typical love-hate relationship found in most high country hamlets and celebrates the resort that stands above town.
“This is not just a resort town. It’s a real community with real people, and it’s genuine and authentic. You come here as a visitor and it’s like ‘Wow, this place is unique,’ ” said Perlman, who has worked 20 years in the resort industry, including serving as vice president of marketing and sales at Steamboat for the past several years. “This place is different than every other resort.”
Steamboat has defied industry trends and thrived despite its isolation in northwest Colorado and its three-hour drive from the Front Range. Perlman said the 53-year-old resort’s success is anchored in guest service, its ample supply of dry powder snow and western hospitality. He said he is not planning any abrupt changes in Steamboat’s course.
“Steady as she goes,” said the former president of Colorado Ski Country. “We have always stayed true to who we are, operating in a community that is incredibly supportive.”
Perlman said his focus will be to grow the airline program that feeds thousands of visitors into the local airport every winter and continuing “strategic capital investments” like the resort’s and new Four Points Lodge.
Jason Blevins: 303-954-1374, jblevins@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jasonblevins
