Crotched Mountain Names Matt Pek as New General Manager

Crotched Mountain is entering the 2026-27 winter season with new leadership, appointing Matt Pek as General Manager of the southern New Hampshire ski area. The move comes as the resort looks to build on its reputation as one of New England’s premier night-skiing destinations and strengthen its position within the wider Vail Resorts network.

Pek succeeds Deirdre Riley, who has moved north to oversee Attitash and Wildcat as General Manager. According to Vail Resorts, Pek brings more than a decade of mountain operations experience spanning ski patrol, safety management, lift operations, facilities management and guest services.

His appointment follows a career that has touched some of the industry's most respected mountain destinations. Pek previously served with the Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol and held environmental, health and safety leadership roles at Perisher, Hotham and Falls Creek in Australia. More recently, he worked on safety integration efforts at Attitash and Wildcat before becoming Senior Manager of Environmental, Health and Safety for Stowe and Mount Snow.

The promotion reflects a broader trend across the North American ski industry, where operators are increasingly elevating leaders with strong operational and safety backgrounds. As resorts face growing challenges linked to workforce development, weather variability, infrastructure investment and guest expectations, experience in risk management and mountain operations has become a key qualification for executive leadership roles.

During his tenure in Vermont, Pek helped guide safety initiatives that contributed to Stowe earning a National Ski Areas Association Safety Award in 2026. That achievement underscored the growing importance of workplace safety, emergency preparedness and operational consistency across large multi-resort organisations.

Crotched Mountain itself occupies a unique place in New England skiing. Known for its extensive night-skiing operation, the resort offers 25 trails served by five lifts and features 100% illuminated terrain, largely powered by modern LED lighting systems. The mountain's marketing frequently embraces a playful space-themed identity, helping distinguish it in the highly competitive New Hampshire market.

The resort also has a colourful history. Once divided into separate eastern and western ski areas, the mountain experienced years of closure before being revived by Peak Resorts in 2003. When Vail Resorts acquired Peak Resorts in 2019, Crotched became part of one of the world's largest mountain resort operators, gaining access to the Epic Pass network and the company's extensive operational resources.

For Vail Resorts, the appointment places an operations-focused leader at the helm of a mountain that serves as an important local and regional destination within New England. As skiers and riders increasingly seek flexible access through multi-resort passes while still valuing community-oriented mountains, Crotched's ability to combine a local atmosphere with national-scale backing remains a significant advantage.

With winter approaching, Pek's immediate focus will be on overseeing seasonal preparations, supporting staff and delivering a consistent guest experience. His background across ski patrol, safety management and resort operations suggests a leadership style shaped by the practical realities of running a mountain, a perspective that will be closely watched as Crotched Mountain enters its next chapter.