RED Mountain Names New President, Reaffirms Commitment to Independent Spirit

RED Mountain Resort, long celebrated as one of North America’s last fiercely independent ski resorts, has announced a major leadership transition that underscores its commitment to authenticity, community, and the preservation of its mountain culture.

After more than two decades of visionary leadership, Howard Katkov will step down as CEO of RED Mountain, a role he has held since 2004. Katkov, credited with transforming RED into one of the largest and most respected independent resorts on the continent, will remain as Chairman of the Board. Don Thompson, current President, will also transition out of executive duties but will continue serving on RED’s board.

Taking the reins as RED’s new President is Mark Schroetel, an industry veteran with over three decades of resort leadership and a reputation for stewarding ski areas with character and care. His appointment, effective July 6, 2025, follows a global executive search.

Schroetel’s resume reads like a blueprint for independent resort success. He led Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania through 15 years of strategic redevelopment, balancing guest experience with operational excellence. He then moved west to become General Manager and CEO of Powder Mountain, Utah—North America’s largest ski area by acreage—where he played a central role in guiding the resort’s “less-is-more” ethos: a deliberate counterpoint to the corporatization of the ski industry.

RED, known for its steep terrain, legendary glades, and grassroots culture, is no stranger to bucking the industry trend of consolidation. Under Katkov’s leadership, the resort launched the groundbreaking “Fight the Man. Own the Mountain.” crowdfunding campaign in 2016, empowering passionate skiers to buy equity and preserve the resort’s autonomy. This approach captured the imagination of skiers worldwide and helped RED stand as a beacon of what independent skiing can still be.

For Schroetel, this new role is a homecoming of sorts.

“I’ve always been drawn to the Kootenays,” said Schroetel. “I visited RED two decades ago to celebrate my first year as a GM. Coming back now—this time with my wife and a deeper sense of purpose—it just feels right. RED is the real deal. I’m here to keep it that way.”

His personal connection to RED and Rossland runs deep. During a recent visit, his wife remarked she had never seen him so at peace. His response: “This is where I belong.”

Katkov echoed that sentiment: “Mark understands that RED isn’t just a place, it’s a philosophy. We’re not here to build a generic resort experience. We’re here to protect something real—something soulful.”

That soul continues to expand. With 3,850 acres of terrain, nearly 3,000 vertical feet, and a new Gravity Logic-designed mountain bike park launching this summer, RED is evolving into a true four-season destination. Yet the resort remains firmly rooted in community, resisting the call to homogenize in favor of celebrating what makes Rossland—and RED—so unique.

As the ski world continues to centralize, RED’s appointment of a leader like Schroetel signals a defiant stand: the independent ski dream is still alive, and thriving, in the Kootenays.

For more on RED Mountain and its upcoming developments, visit redresort.com.