STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley General Manager Pete Sonntag has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer.

He will continue his general manager leadership role at Sun Valley Resort, while assuming the new duties, according to Grand America Hotels and Resorts.

Since joining Sun Valley in 2021, Sonntag has led the resort through a period of transformative growth with major capital improvements including three new chairlifts and expanded mountain access. Under his leadership, Sun Valley has gained national recognition and was ranked the No. 1 resort in North America by SKI Magazine three years in a row.

“Pete is an inspiring leader who is passionate about delivering the best experience for our guests while caring immensely for our people. He has been incredibly successful leading strategic initiatives for Sun Valley while positioning the resort for continued success,” said Bruce Fery, CEO of Grand America Hotels and Resorts.

Prior to joining Sun Valley, Sonntag oversaw the western portfolio of Vail Resorts. He served many years as resort General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, first at Heavenly and then at Whistler Blackcomb. In his career, Pete has held ski school director positions at Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Copper Mountain. He’s a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany and he received his MBA from the University of Vermont.

In his current role, he presides over a year-round resort that was founded in 1936 as America’s first destination ski resort. Located in Central Idaho mountains, the resort offers more than 3,100 skiable acres, two mountains, and 3400’ vertical feet.

Having hosted the U.S. Alpine Championship in 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024, Sun Valley’s Bald Mountain will host the Alpine World Cup finals in March 2025—the first time the finals have been on U.S. soil since 2016.

Meanwhile, Davy Ratchford, general manager at Snowbasin—Sun Valley’s sister resort--also has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer.

Since joining Snowbasin in 2018, Ratchford has led the resort through a period of transformative business improvement with major capital investments including new chairlifts, new dining and banquet venues, improved resort access, and expanded parking.

Under his leadership, Snowbasin has gained national recognition and was recently ranked the No. 1 resort in North America by USA Today, Outside Magazine, and SKI Magazine.

Ratchford joined the ski industry after leading marketing for Real Salt Lake during their run to an MLS Cup. He held senior leadership positions at Vail Mountain, Northstar Resort and Park City Mountain before assuming his role at Snowbasin. He serves on the Board of Directors for the National Ski Area Association, Ski Utah, and Visit Ogden. He also serves on the Ski Area Management Future Leader Council and recently concluded a four-year assignment as the Honorary Commander at Hill Air Force Base.

Snowbasin is located just 45 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport and one hour from Park City, making it one of the most accessible ski resorts in the country. It was selected as the host venue for the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics alpine events, including downhill, combined (downhill and slalom) and super-G. And it has been selected as the official Alpine Skiing venue for the upcoming 2034 Salt Lake Winter Olympics.

With 3,000 skiable acres and 3,00 vertical feet, Snowbasin is the only resort in Utah where guests can truly “ski like an Olympian”, with the men’s and women’s courses still in place for visitors to experience.  

Both Sun Valley and Snowbasin are available on the IKON Pass. Sun Valley Resort also accepts Mountain Collective passes.