Kirsten Lynch, a Chicago City Kid, Is Ready to Run Vail Resorts

Coming off one of the weirdest years in a long time for skiing—and just about everything else—Vail Resorts Inc. is predicting a strong season this winter. Although the delta variant will continue to weigh on the industry, Vail has reported robust sales of season passes after a 20% price cut in March. The company, which operates 37 destination resorts and regional ski areas around the world, has detailed plans for $320 million in spending on new lifts, restaurants, and other improvements next year, helping to cement its position as the biggest player in the industry. On Nov. 1, Kirsten Lynch—who brought to life Vail’s EpicMix app and oversaw the pass business as the company’s marketing head—is set to take over as chief executive officer from Rob Katz, who will become executive chairperson after 15 years in the job. We spoke with Lynch about where Vail will be headed in the coming years. The interview was edited for clarity and content.

When did you start skiing?