The Idaho Ski Areas Association Board of Directors elected Silver Mountain Resort GM Jeff Colburn as its new president during its annual meeting on June 4, hosted this year by Sun Valley Resort. Also known as Ski Idaho, the organization represents the interests of the Gem State's 19 alpine ski resorts.

Colburn has worked in the vacation industry for more than three decades. He grew up in Cusick and Newport, Washington, and earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Eastern Washington University. After graduating, he worked in tourism, taught skiing and built homes before moving to Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond, Oregon, in 1991. He moved to Silver Mountain in 2005 – both resorts were then owned by Oregon-based Jeld-Wen Corp. – and was named general manager the following year.

During Colburn's tenure, numerous amenities were added to the resort, including Idaho's largest indoor water park, Silver Rapids, the Summit Magic Carpet and winter tubing park, the scenic nine-hole Galena Ridge Golf Course, the Silver Mountain Sports Shop and other new shops in Gondola Village, as well as new ski runs, an additional terrain park, a second on-mountain dining option, the Jackass Snack Shack, and other significant investments. Additionally, in 2013, the resort transformed its mountain bike park into what many consider the best in the Northwest, helping to re-establish Silver Mountain as a year-round destination. And in 2020, the resort expanded its lodging offerings by purchasing and remodeling the nearby Silver Inn. During his four-year term as Ski Idaho president, Colburn hopes to foster sustainable and targeted growth that increases the Gem State's share of skier and snowboarder visits to the Western United States.

“Ski Idaho's focus should continue to be on positioning Idaho as a ski destination with uncrowded slopes and a fantastic mix of large and small ski areas. Idaho has a lot to offer skiers at home and abroad. There are also many challenges facing the ski business that we as an association must continue to look for viable long-term solutions for so that everyone can continue to enjoy Idaho's pristine mountains.”
—Jeff Colburn

Colburn succeeds outgoing Ski Idaho CEO Brad Wilson, who was general manager of Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area. Wilson took on the role as ski areas across the state ramped up their operations and expanded year-round operations. Wilson will remain on the ISAA board as past president. He also represents the Northern Rockies ski areas on the National Ski Areas Association board. Former Bogus Basin Finance Director Ron Welton, who recently retired, will continue to serve as ISAA board treasurer and Bogus Basin Customer and Public Relations Director Susan Saad will continue as secretary. A vice president will be elected by the board at a later date.

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