Last week marked the end of an era in Park City: Bob Wheaton, the president and COO of Deer Valley Ski Resort announced that he will be leaving his position in December of this year. While all of us at CMFH feel a little misty-eyed over this, we’d like to congratulate Bob on one of the most stellar careers known in the ski industry.
Bob worked his way up old-school style – one rung at a time
Wheaton has been the heart of Deer Valley during its rise from a small resort with only a few runs to international status. He started as a ski instructor in 1981, then worked his way up the ranks old-school style, working every position until he was finally named General Manager in 1988. He remained in that position until just last year, when Alterra Mountain Company acquired Deer Valley and appointed him as President and Chief Operating Officer. “The growth is pretty incredible. I would like to think we never lost that small company feel, if you will,” Wheaton said in an interview. Under Wheaton’s soft-spoken leadership, Deer Valley became world-renowned for its perfectly groomed slopes, off-the-chart guest services, and gourmet dining that drew as many people to its restaurants as it did its ski runs.
Bob’s legacy as a leader
With Wheaton at the helm, Deer Valley has ranked No. 1 eight times in Ski Magazine’s all-powerful listing of mountain resorts, the only resort to achieve this honor so many times. The 2002 Winter Olympics hailed D.V. as a top venue, which has made it a tenured host on the World Cup circuit. He oversaw spectacular expansion as third-party developers pursued major projects on the resort’s slopes that required cooperation from all parties involved. Empire Pass and Deer Crest development over the past fifteen years are major achievements that will remain a part of Bob’s legacy as a leader who knew how to make things work, even when they seemed impossible.
Wheaton will become a senior strategic advisor to the Alterra Mountain Company board of directors when he leaves the Deer Valley post. We applaud Alterra for keeping Wheaton close – we think that is a very smart move. We congratulate Bob on a career well lived, and feel our hearts warm knowing he’ll finally have time for his ranch and family. Thanks for giving Park City a crown jewel in Deer Valley. We love ya’, Bob!
