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March 28, 2008
History groups to honor Hall of Fame members and new inductee Pat O'Donnell
Thursday, April 3, will be a busy day in Aspen. The public is invited to start the morning at 8 a.m. for a First Tracks event honoring the members of the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, including Pat O'Donnell, former CEO of Aspen Skiing Company. There will be a light breakfast and short presentation at 9:30 a.m. There is no charge, however, donations to the Hall of Fame will be welcomed.
Pat O'Donnell will also be honored Thursday evening at the International Skiing History Association's annual Skiing Heritage Gala at the Hotel Jerome. He will be recognized for his lifetime contribution to the sport of skiing. Recently retired from Aspen Skiing Company, Pat has been in the resort and hospitality business for more than 30 years.
Pat spent ten years at Keystone in Colorado as Vice President of Operations, prior to building and opening Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe as Vice President and General Manager in the early 70s. He also served as Badger Pass Ski Area General Manager in Yosemite National Park for five years and as President of Whistler in British Colombia in the early 90s. Pat was also President of Patagonia.
For tickets or information call StayAspenSnowmass at 800-675-1298 or visit our website
During his tenure at ASC, Pat was instrumental in moving the company from a profit-driven to a values-driven organization. He empowered employees to look for ways to make the company a better environmental, social and community citizen. During Pat's tenure, ASC became the leading 'green' ski resort in the industry through pioneering use of renewable energy, biodiesel in snowcats, and green development (ASC now has 2 LEED certified buildings). ASC is the only resort in the U.S. with a climate policy, an employee run and funded foundation dedicated to environmental protection and an annual Sustainability Report.
Pat led the charge at ASC on the customer service front and it has resulted in one of the highest customer return rates in the industry, as high as 78 percent. He was often found loading chairs, greeting guests and pitching in to teach snowboard lessons. This was all after beginning most days by hiking up Snowmass, strapping on his snowboard and arriving at his office at 6:30 a.m. to 'start' his day.
The public is encouraged to attend both of Thursday's events. Reservations for First Tracks may be made by calling the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame at 970-476-1876. Lift tickets will be necessary and may be purchased the previous day. Participants should be at the gondola at 8am sharp. Skiing Heritage Week Gala tickets are $150 and are available by calling the Aspen Historical Society at 970-925-3721 (ext 109). The Gala starts at 6:00 p.m. with a reception and silent auction at the Hotel Jerome. Dinner and presentations follow.
Three history organizations, The International Skiing History Association, the Aspen Historical Society and the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame, are working together on these and other events for Skiing Heritage Week, March 30 to April 4.
Posted by Dina at March 28, 2008 10:28 AM
