Vail Resorts CEO Kirsten Lynch resigns following Park City Mountain struggles

Rob Katz to return to top job immediately

PARK CITY, Utah — Vail Resorts CEO Kirsten Lynch has stepped down after a winter season that drew sharp criticism from skiers and community leaders — including in Park City, where locals have expressed concerns about the company’s management of the country’s largest ski resort.

Lynch, who led the company through the pandemic and the continued expansion of the Epic Pass, will remain in an advisory role for a short period. Rob Katz, Vail Resorts’ longtime CEO and current Board Chair, will return to the top job immediately, the company announced Tuesday.

The leadership shakeup follows a winter marked by operational challenges across many of Vail’s 41 resorts, with Park City Mountain at the center of frustration over delayed terrain openings, crowding, a Ski Patrol strike that gained national attention and what some locals describe as a lack of responsiveness from corporate leaders.

In January of 2025, an investment firm holding a stake in the company publicly called for sweeping changes to the Vail Resorts’ leadership and strategy, citing what it describes as years of underperformance with shares losing 47% of their value during the last 5 years.

Vail Resorts, Inc. (MTN) stock is up 12.41% in after hours trading at time of report and 2.57% today on the day of the announcement.

Though Vail Resorts did not cite specific reasons for the leadership change, the timing comes as the company works to rebuild trust with ski communities and reassert its long-term strategy.

“It has been an experience of a lifetime to serve 14 years on the executive team at Vail Resorts,” Lynch said in a statement. “I want to share my sincerest appreciation to all our talented team members for their passion for our mountains, our guests, and our communities.”

Lynch took over as CEO in 2021 and was the first woman to lead the publicly traded ski giant. A Vail Resorts press release credited her with overseeing record pass sales and leading the rollout of new technology aimed at streamlining the guest experience. But this past season’s struggles — coupled with ongoing debates over development, local access, and worker housing in Park City — have intensified calls for stronger local engagement and accountability.

Katz, 58, served as Vail Resorts CEO from 2006 to 2021 and has remained a visible figure through his philanthropic work with the Katz Amsterdam Foundation, which supports mental health initiatives in ski towns, including Summit County.

In a statement, Katz said he remains committed to the company’s core values and the mountain towns it calls home.

“I’m honored to step back into the role of CEO and to lead the incredible people who make our resorts and our company so special,” he said. “Our commitment to our team members, our guests, and the communities we serve remains as strong as ever.”

Vail Resorts reaffirmed its financial outlook for the upcoming year and said spring season pass sales are on track with expectations. The company is expected to share more during its next earnings call on June 5.