Bridget Legnavksy brings 30 plus years of ski industry experience to Northern California
Norden, Calif. – Sugar Bowl Resort announced that Bridget Legnavsky has been named President & CEO of Sugar Bowl | Royal Gorge based in Norden, California, effective October 17.
Following a six month long talent search, Legnavsky was identified as the top prospect based on her experience and vision. She will work alongside the current President & CEO, Greg Dallas as he transitions to a Vice-Chairman role focused on execution of the resort’s Master Plan.
Legnavsky has worked in the ski industry for over 30 years, starting as a ski instructor working at resorts across the globe, including several seasons in the U.S. at Breckenridge and Aspen. In 2014, she assumed the role of General Manager at Cardrona Alpine Resort in her native New Zealand. While at Cardrona, the resort saw impressive growth in skier visits by shifting focus to terrain parks and a highly engaged workforce.
In 2020, Legnavsky’s responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of a second resort, Treble Cone Ski Area. Most recently, she worked for RealNZ, the parent company of Cardrona and Treble Cone, as the Chief Experience Officer while managing both ski areas. In addition to her role at the resorts, Legnavsky was heavily involved with the community focused on workforce strategy for New Zealand tourism, serving as deputy chair for a local college, board member for the Wanaka Chamber of Commerce and was involved with multiple environmental initiatives around the country.
“a born leader…”
“Bridget is a born leader and will bring a great new perspective to the Sugar Bowl | Royal Gorge operation. Fortunately, she is stepping into an organization with a solid foundation so she can start day one focused on key initiatives like workforce development and community outreach,” said David Tunnell, Chairman of the Board – Sugar Bowl Corporation. “I am incredibly proud of where Greg has taken the resort over the past seven years. He led our company and community through some of the most challenging circumstances in decades. Yet, our independent brand is in a strong financial position, and the community continues to grow. I’m especially appreciative of his work taking the Master Plan from a dream to a reality approved by our community.”
The Sugar Bowl Homeowners Association recently passed a vote in support of the development plan, which includes an expansion of the Judah Base Area, a children’s ski school center, a new boutique hotel and more. “I’ve had the pleasure to work for Sugar Bowl, a truly independent and iconic resort, over the past seven years. As a team, we’ve worked to honor the history and charm of this iconic resort by focusing on the best possible on-snow experience. We have stayed true to the founders’ vision to deliver a warm and authentic alpine experience for our community. I look forward to working with Bridget to bolster the organization and see the master plan come to life, which is exciting for the entire region,” said Dallas.
“I feel incredibly privileged and simultaneously absolutely stoked for the opportunity to work with the team at Sugar Bowl | Royal Gorge to define its future. While focused on excellence and performance, we will always look to retain, celebrate, and bring to life the unique character of the resort and community,” said Bridget Legnavsky, president & CEO, Sugar Bowl | Royal Gorge. “Greg and the board have built a talented team who already run a terrific operation. In the short-term, we will be focused wholeheartedly on our people, supporting them to be the best they can be and love the place they work so that they can deliver even more magical experiences for everyone.”
Legnavsky will move from New Zealand to the U.S. this fall with her husband Peter and two children, ages 16 and 12. A family engulfed in snowsports, Peter is an Olympic ski coach for their son Gustav, an Olympic freeskier in the halfpipe. Their daughter, Zora, is focused on ski racing and will attend the Sugar Bowl Academy this winter.
