There’s a new face representing Palisades Tahoe ski resort – Amy Ohran.
Earlier this week, Alterra Mountain Company announced that Ohran has been named President and COO of Palisades Tahoe. She will be responsible for leading all resort operations, planning, enhancing the employee and guest experience, continuing to build and strengthen community relationships, and driving the profitability of the destination.
Ohran comes to Palisades Tahoe with nearly 35 years of experience in the snow sports industry, much of it spent in the Tahoe region. Most recently, she served as the Vice President and General Manager of Northstar California.
“I am very excited for this new opportunity at legendary Palisades Tahoe. I’m committed to connecting current and future generations to their mountain journey at this beloved destination,” Ohran said. “I look forward to leading this talented team through our thoughtful and progressive growth, while prioritizing the guest and employee experience through the stewardship of our mountains as a place for everyone, now and well into the future.”
Ohran replaces Dee Byrne, who announced in May she would be stepping away from Palisades Tahoe. She worked in the ski industry for more than 40 years, the last 13 at Palisades Tahoe.
Byrne joined Palisades Tahoe in 2011 as the Managing Director of Snowsports Schools and Ski Teams. She was subsequently promoted to Vice President of Skier Services in 2017, responsible for overseeing the Guest Experience, Ski and Snowboard Teams, Ski and Snowboard Schools, Ticketing/Contact Center, non-ski activities and Mountain Hosts and then to the position of President & COO in 2021.
Byrne was the second Lake Tahoe ski resort leader to recently step down, Earlier this year, Heavenly Mountain Resort announced the retirement of Chief Operating Officer and Vice President – Tom Fortune – effective June 23.
Prior to running Northstar, Ohran held a number of roles over 20 years at POWDR, including two years as VP and GM of Woodward Mountain Centers, and eight years as President and GM of Boreal Ridge Corp. She previously spent 16 years in various leadership roles at Mt. Bachelor, including as the Director of Staff and Skier Services and as Director of Ski and Ride School.
“Amy has dedicated her entire professional life to the snow sports industry and her long-standing professional experience in the North Lake Tahoe area really makes her an ideal fit to lead the team at Palisades Tahoe,” said Mark Brownlie, COO, Alterra Mountain Company. “We couldn’t be more confident she is the right person to continue to cultivate deep relationships with the North Lake community and the resort’s loyal and new guests.”
Ohran is a current board member of the National Ski Areas Association, Tahoe Fund Board, and North Tahoe Community Alliance. She has been a member of the Ski California Board Executive Committee since 2018 and served as chairperson from 2019-2020.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Amy over the past decade through our respective roles with Ski California and the National Ski Areas Association,” said Ron Cohen, Executive Vice President of Mountain Operations, Alterra Mountain Company. “I am truly excited to bring on board a leader with Amy’s inspirational leadership ability, industry insight and foresight, and deep community relationships.”
Ohran is a life-long skier and snowboarder, rock climber, surfer, mountain biker, yogi, writer, mom, and all-in-life-adventurer.
