Success Story: Taking a Popular Ski Resort to New Heights

Matt worked with a top destination ski resort in Park City, Utah as the program manager for the “re-creation” of the resort. The ambitious resort-wide makeover included new ski terrain, a state-of-the art chairlift, a relocated gondola portal, major snowmaking enhancements, a “Ski Beach,” and a flock of new restaurants and on mountain amenities.

Matt designed a comprehensive plan for the resort that turned 30 complex, seemingly disparate projects into an integrated program structure. The plan included all associated management processes—from budget and contract management to entitlement processing—and established clear lines of sight across the program. The program structure led to a culture where people felt free to discuss issues, interdependencies, and risk. Matt also served as a single source of accountability for the program, which included more than 30 general contractors at its height.

Working closely with resort leadership, Matt established clear program governance—beginning with an Executive Steering Committee that met weekly to receive status updates and discuss any emerging issues. We addressed resource gaps at the outset and tapped resort staff who brought valuable expertise to the table, while coaching them up in project management skills where needed. 

The impact of this successful program is clear: In its annual reader survey, SKI Magazine has ranked the resort among the Top 10 ski resorts in North America for two consecutive years.