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NJ: What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen happen Many areas have invested in improving the beginner
at Sun Valley, or any other ski area for that matter? experience, which has yielded some increase in trial and
TS: The “Pin Binding Downhill” at Sun Valley circa retention, but I think there is still a lot of work to do to
1979 would certainly make the list for pure entertain- make snowsports cool to young people again.
ment value. This was a Le Mans-start 3,300-vertical-foot
Chinese downhill from the top of Baldy to the bottom NJ: What advice would you give to someone starting
of River Run. You can imagine the scene as a bunch of out in the ski industry?
enthusiasts negotiated steep, bumpy runs at the end of TS: Get an education, but don’t be too proud to get
the day on old skinny skis with boots that resembled your hands dirty. Don’t worry about titles and posi-
tennis shoes. I believe I witnessed the first and last event tion, but work for someone you respect. The spirit you
all rolled into one. bring to the job and the commitment, teamwork, lead-
ership, and passion are the characteristics that I believe
NJ: What’s the first thing you think of when you wake drive success.
up in the morning?
TS: How lucky I am to be blessed with a wonderful fam- NJ: Have you had any mentors or role models who have
ily, to live in such a beautiful place, and how lucky I am influenced you and what have you learned from them?
to be working with such a great group of people. TS: I guess I was lucky to learn what really matters
in life from my parents. Beyond that, Earl and Carol
NJ: What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to do in all Holding’s influence and guidance have been profound
your years working in the ski industry? over the last 40 years. Finally, I consider myself very
TS: I think anyone who is committed to managing an lucky to have worked for two of the best leaders in the
organization over the long term faces the challenge of business, Bill Jensen and Chris Ryman.
continually building a team based on trust and com-
mitment. Inevitably, the ability to manage staffing NJ: What would people be surprised to know about you?
changes comes into play. The toughest part is having TS: That I love trains, railroad history, and anything
the wisdom and fortitude to make those changes in a having to do with railroads. Interesting that I wound up
compassionate and thoughtful way when they affect at a resort that was created by a railroad.
peoples’ lives and careers.
NJ: What’s on your mouse pad?
NJ: What do you see as the top issues the NSAA Board TS: Oddly enough, the resort’s commitment and values:
of Directors should focus on over the next five to 10 years? that we are committed to 100 percent guest satisfaction,
TS: The key issues are already being felt by many that we value our team members, and that we value our
areas—the impacts of a climate change and the need to guests and financial performance.
grow participation in our sport. I don’t think there is an
area in the country that isn’t concerned about changing NJ: What’s your favorite movie and why?
weather patterns. At Sun Valley, we embraced automated TS: The Russians are Coming—a great family movie, a
snowmaking very early on, and we continue to invest good laugh, and perhaps a bit insightful of human nature.
in low-energy, high-efficiency equipment. We strive to
take maximum advantage of each snowmaking win- NJ: What’s on your bucket list?
dow in the early season. The ability to quickly and effi- TS: Finish the John Muir Trail…find another
ciently move that snow to where it is needed is part of Australian Shepherd/Bernese mix.
the puzzle.
Also, prolonged periods of drought have caused NJ: What would you be doing if you weren’t in the
large areas of dead and dying timber that now pose a sig- ski industry?
nificant fire hazard, as well as aesthetic impacts. Many TS: I interned with the Bureau of Reclamation while
western resorts face a significant challenge to define an undergrad at Davis as I had always had an inter-
methods for dealing with the forest health issues. est in bridge and dam design. I would probably have
We must also continue to spend time thinking become a civil engineer, but you don’t get to ski as
about how to attract new participants to our sport. much doing that.
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