The Skigroup crew
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Stephen Hall
Chief of karma
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Former owner and President
1960-2022
Founder and president of Skigroup. Stephen started in the ski travel industry in 1984, partnering with high school best friend Bruce Rosard to start Moguls Mountain Travel. He worked on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Options Floor trading stock options out of college, before starting in the travel business.
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Not coming from a family that skied, he quickly got acclimated to the ski culture by visiting and skiing resorts around the continent, and the world. Stephen has been a leader in the ski travel industry for over 35 years.
He has served as a panelist and presenter at Mountain Travel Symposium, National Ski Council Federation, Paul Weber Ski Shows, and was co-founder of the industry trade group PIGS (Partners in Group Sales). Stephen and partner Bruce Rosard sold Moguls Mountain Travel first to RSN (Resort Sports Network), then bought it back, then sold to Intrawest. Stephen started Skigroup in 2007.
Experience in the ski travel business: I've been selling ski trips for over 30 years including 12 years with USRSA, Moguls Mountain Travel, and Skigroup. net. I've worked with many of the largest ski councils in the country including Far West, Texas,
Florida and New Jersey.
I'm also the leading salesperson in the ski travel industry selling cruises (Caribbean, Alaska & Mediterranean Europe) to ski clubs and councils.
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Best tip for the perfect ski vacation: Join a ski club or council trip - these trips have social activities and lots of camaraderie.
Favorite ski resort: Very difficult to pick just one. Any of the Vail Resorts would be at the top of my list.
Favorite Après Ski bar: Do I have to list just one? Impossible...
Favorite Lodging property: See response to favorite après ski bar above
Favorite Resort Restaurant: Keystone Resort, including Alpenglow Stube, Keystone Ranch, and the Ski Tip Lodge
Best ski day in memory: All of my days with fresh snow.
My love of travel began when I was very young. I was fortunate enough to travel throughout my childhood and I like to say that I inherited the travel bug from my parents. I took my first high school ski trip in 1996, and immediately fell in love.
Who knew that just a few short years later I would begin a career that would combine two things I was so passionate about. After 20 years in the group travel industry, there is still nothing more rewarding than turning dreams into reality.
Best tip for the perfect ski vacation: Flexibility is key now more than ever!
Favorite Ski Resort: Aspen Snowmass, CO
Favorite Après Ski Bar: Oak, Telluride
Favorite Lodging Property: Limelight, Aspen
Favorite Resort Restaurant: 710 Bodega, Park City
Best Ski Day In Memory: MTS Pre-Fam 2013, Snowmass
I have been in the Ski Industry since the 90's, having only taken an extended leave to raise my two boys. I have been working exclusively with group air since 2011.
Best tip for the perfect ski vacation: Don't forget your bathing suit!! The hot tub is waiting for you! 😎
Favorite Ski Resort: Big Sky
Favorite Après Ski Bar: No Name Saloon in Park City
Favorite Lodging Property: The Charter at Beaver Creek
Favorite Resort Restaurant: Brown Dog Pizza in Telluride, BEST Pizza ever!!
Best Ski Day In Memory: Vail circa 1995. It was the first time I ever skied the Rockies.
Patrick Holleran ​
Tour & Travel Planning Consultant
Group sales Manager
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I've been planning trips for clubs, schools, family, and friends for 8 years; and joined SkiGroup in 2016!
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Best tip for the perfect ski vacation: Bring more beer!
Favorite ski resort: Tough. Jackson Hole, Whistler, and Squaw come to mind.
Favorite après Ski bar: Garibaldi Lift Co, Whistler
Favorite Lodging property: Grand View Condos, Jackson Hole
Favorite Resort Restaurant: Lookout Tavern in Killington, VT
Best ski day in memory: Some of my backcountry days stick out!
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Like most people in the ski industry, I began my career by teaching Middle School English and History for 16 years... Kidding aside, teaching would actually end up giving me an excellent toolkit for the job I never expected to have, later in life- working with ski groups. Think of all those transferable skills...organizing large groups, running lots of projects at once, good presentation and clear communication...
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When, at the halfway point in my teaching career, I had that itch, that nagging what else? I decided to take a leap and enter the business world. First, I ran my own writing, marketing and PR company, and that was great.
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However, a few years into it, I stumbled on an opportunity to join the Mt Bachelor ski resort Sales Team. As a deeply passionate, long-time snowboarder, I couldn't resist. My first sales task was getting the job. Turns out a healthy dose of passion and some useful skills go a long way, and within a year and a half I was promoted. I embraced my new mission: enhancing people's lives by connecting them with amazing outdoor experiences.
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After years with Mt Bachelor, I hopped the fence, moving from the ski resort side to the tour side. So now the destination can be anywhere, but the mission remains the same: connecting people with unforgettable experiences in beautiful places.
Your group's best trip is a quick phone call or email away. Let's connect!
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Best tip for the perfect ski vacation:
When you find yourself in a beautiful place, in a beautiful moment...pause... Breathe it in. The more you do that, the more of those moments you'll find!
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Favorite ski resort:
There are so many amazing resorts out there!
A few favorites are Mt Bachelor, the home resort-so big, surfy and playful;
Kleine Scheidegg, Swiss magic- with such varied, cool terrain, views of endless Alps, and a "night sledding" adventure you'll have to ask me about...and Big Sky and Snowbird, both steep and deep
Favorite Après ski bar:
Palisades Tahoe- Le Chamois for the locals vibe and so many dogs...
Vail- Garfinkel's for being huge, close to the gondola and great food
Mt Bachelor- tailgating in the Sky lot!
Favorite lodging property:
Banff- Well, the Fairmont is a 125-year old Castle with jaw-dropping views...
Big Sky- The Huntley is a classic. You can't beat the location and those massive, massive hot tubs right at the base of the slopes...
Vail- The Sebastian has beautiful gathering spaces, art and a great vibe close to it all.
Favorite Resort Restaurant:
Park City- Tekila Mexican Grill
Vail- Sushi Thai
Whistler- Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub
Best ski day in memory:
Heli-skiing in Revelstoke with a crew of great riders and hitting endless pillow lines like it was a playground build just for us.
My skiing "career" began at a young age when my family would drive the 4 hours from CT to VT to hit the slopes of Okemo, Killington, and Pico. As we got a little older, the family took a trip out west to Breckenridge, CO during a winter break at school, and although the ski day lasted 2 hours, it opened my eyes to a love of big, snowy mountains and powder skiing. After attending Colorado College, I moved to Crested Butte, CO, to work at Crested Butte Ski Resort as a Group Sales Representative.
I soon moved on to teaching at the local public school, but continued to work with Sandy Gaudette in the Ski Travel Industry as a group representative. My love of the mountains doesn't stop when the snow stops falling. I love running up and down mountains and trails, and have had the opportunity to run on mountains around the world.
When I need to slow down a little, I like to hit the links, and although I have some work to do on my skills. After 15 years, I am still in Crested Butte, working in the school, as well as at The Club at Crested Butte, which is the local golf course, and loving life with my 4 year-old son.
Best tip for the perfect ski vacation: Go with a group to a place that has great snow and apres.
Favorite ski resort: This is a toughy as I love exploring different ski resorts for the varying terrain, town, and community.
Favorite Après Ski bar: Now you're asking too much, you can't really go wrong as long as they have a great Bloody Mary.
Favorite Lodging property: As long as they have a fireplace, I love them all!
Favorite Resort Restaurant: Million Dollar Cowboy in Jackson, WY
Best ski day in memory: Skiing with my 4 year-old as he cheers going down the hill.
Where I live, and why:
Boulder Colorado because of its incredible natural beauty, people, and access to all the outdoor activities I love while still being a modern city with amazing music and culinary scene. Oh, and the craft beer is the best! Being within a short driving time to over 15 world-class resorts is a pretty good deal too!
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Experience in the ski travel business:
I've spent over 30 years in the mountain adventure travel industry as a sales manager, guide, and Director of Sales for 3 of the best Ski Tour Wholesalers including Moguls Mountain Travel, Any Mountain Tours, Lynx Vacations , and of course, SKIGROUP.NET.
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Best tip for the perfect ski vacation: Get in ski shape prior to arrival, bring the fun crew, and have an adventurous open mind.
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Favorite ski resort:
Too many favorites-all are unique and a few include Telluride for the steeps, beauty of the Juan's & friendly local vibe, Whistler & Jackson Hole for the radical terrain, Steamboat for the friends & powder, Mary Jane@Winterpark for the bumps, Vail for its massiveness & apres ski, Beaver Creek & Deer Valley for their amazing grooming and class, Copper for its natural terrain separating expert/intermediate/beginner.
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Favorite Apres ski bar:
Garfinkel's, Slopeside Grill, DustyBoot Saloon, GLC, JJ's, Gold Pan.....& back of my truck bed with good friends & craft beer after a powder day.
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Favorite lodging property:
Limelight in Aspen, The Peaks @ Telluride, and phat ski-in/out condos from any of our quality lodging partners.
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Favorite Resort Restaurant:
Sushi Village (Whistler), Alpenglow Stube (Keystone), Montauk Seafood Grill (Vail)
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Best ski day in memory:
Heli-skiing north of Whistler on a bluebird powder day, face shots & launching big air followed by amazing birthday sushi dinner with all my Whistler "girlfriends" and Cuzz. Woohoo!
Skigroup Ambassador Program
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The Skigroup ambassador program is an opportunity for skiers and snowboarders to be part of our community and team. Through this program, you provide media of your life in the snow. Skigroup posts curated media to our social media platforms with credit to you.
When possible there may be benefits in the way of swag and other travel perks.
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If you want the opportunity to be a part of our program, feel free to reach out via email or message on any of our social media platforms to get started!
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Current Skigroup ambassadors
Christopher Nitchen ​
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Colorado Ambassador
Film Crew
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Where do you live, and why
Denver! I love the easy access to the mountains while still being able to enjoy the city.
Experience in the ski travel business:
I’ve lived in Colorado for the past 15 years and have snowboarded at nearly every resort in the state. (I know all the Apres ski spots 😉)
Favorite ski resort:
Steamboat Resort
Favorite Apres ski bar:
T-Bar at Steamboat Resort
Favorite lodging property:
Cliff Lodge & Spa @ Snowbird
Favorite Resort Restaurant:
Ragnar’s, Steamboat Springs, CO
Best ski day in memory:
Spring 2021 at Jackson Hole. Spent the day in the backcountry filming & skiing with friends!
Jake Orsborn
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Golf Ambassador
I grew up one of six kids in the suburbs of north Denver learning to ice skate and ski at a young age. Ice hockey took me around the country, living in Dallas, TX for two years during high school to play for a AAA program called the Ice Jets Academy. Now that competitive ice hockey is finished, I spend my year skiing and golfing when/where the weather permits.
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I’ve held nearly every position available at golf courses, beginning in maintenance at age 16 mowing fairways and greens, to the cart barn, to the pro shop, and now part-time caddying at both Cherry Hills Country Club and Castle Pines Golf Club.
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Best tip for the perfect golf vacation:
Change up the pairings for each round so everyone plays with everyone
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Favorite golf course: Silverleaf Country Club
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Go-to on course drink: Transfusion with Tito’s
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Favorite lodging property: Bandon Dunes Golf Resort “The Lodge”
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Best round of golf in memory:
Made a hole in one on #7 at Castle Pines in September 2020 playing with my older brother
After seven years in the ski industry, co running operations with Skigroup has shaped an amazing career. I am very excited as Chairman to continue the great legacy my father started, and ensure the quality of our groups experience. ​
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Best tip for the perfect ski vacation:
Leave the weight of the world at home, and enjoy your time on the mountain.
Favorite ski resort: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Favorite Après Ski bar: Mangy Moose, Jackson Hole WY
Favorite Lodging property:
Cliff Lodge, Snowbird
Best ski day in memory:
Getting first tracks off the Jackson Hole Tram, after a fresh 16" sorm.