Rob Katz has officially been reinstated as the Chief Executive Officer of Vail Resorts, Inc., following the resignation of Kirsten Lynch from both her CEO position and the Board of Directors. Katz, 58, previously held the CEO role from 2006 until 2021 and has been vital to the company’s strategic direction for over three decades. During his tenure, he played a key role in navigating the company through challenging periods while fostering innovations in the winter sports industry.
The board expressed confidence that Katz’s return comes at an opportune time, as the company focuses on executing its strategic priorities and initiatives. Bruce Sewell, the Lead Independent Director, highlighted Katz’s successful track record in driving consistent performance, remarking on the significance of this transition. He also praised Lynch for her leadership and contributions, particularly for her role in expanding the Epic Pass and guiding the company through recent challenges.
Katz expressed enthusiasm about stepping back into the CEO role, commending the team at Vail Resorts and reaffirming the company’s commitment to its stakeholders. He acknowledged Lynch’s substantial contributions during her leadership and conveyed optimism for the company’s future direction.
Additionally, Vail Resorts reaffirmed its outlook for fiscal 2025, signaling expectations for Resort Reported EBITDA to be within the lower half of earlier forecasts, which were outlined in the company’s metrics release from April. Early season pass sales trends as of May 26 also reflect those earlier projections.
Vail Resorts encompasses a range of premier ski destinations across the globe, with a commitment to sustainability through its EpicPromise initiative, which aims for a zero net operating footprint by 2030.
This leadership change presents a hopeful opportunity for Vail Resorts to build upon past successes and navigate ongoing challenges in an evolving industry landscape. The realignment with Katz’s extensive experience could lead to continued innovation and growth for the company.