A-Mazing Employees!
The following employees are being recognized as A-Mazing employees by the Arapahoe Basin team. This award is in recognition of their exceptional work and effort for the period of March - May.
Here's why their managers think they are A-Mazing!
Base Area/Building Maintenance
Kelsey Greeson
Kelsey Greeson came to us this season after a winter at White Fish Montana, A coworker of hers and former basin employee told her to come check us out and we are sure glad she did. With only this season under her belt she has really gotten a grasp on how we do things and gives it 110% effort all day every day. She knows what to do and when to do it with minimal instruction and if you don’t see her parking cars then shes probably shoveling snow, chipping ice, or picking up trash. Thanks for being so A-mazing Kelsey.
John Synk
John Synks history with A-basin dates back to the tail end of the epic years. He has tried other things over the years, such as building chair lifts for Leitner Poma, and threatned to go back to school but keeps coming back to Base Area Operations. It took him 5 years but he’s gotten darn good at parking cars and shoveling snow and can usually be found driving a shuttle on weekend afternoons. With his heart of gold John Synk sure is an A-mazing member of Base Area Operations.
Thanks for all your hard work John and Kelsey! Hope to do it again with you next season.
Lift Operations
Shane Koenig
Has done a great job as a first year lead. Is in the right place at the right time. He is approachable to his staff—very patient, very good at training operators in the field in all aspects of the job.
Max Lyle
Very good with snow work and showing new operators how to get the job done in a safe and productive manner.
Wesley Wolf
Has stepped up this season taking initiative with helping train new operators, doing great snow work, learning to take down mazes. Doing things without being told
Sarah Snyder
Joined the team in March and has hit the ground running. Works well with the rest of the team. Supervisors and Leads trust her to work a station alone if necessary knowing that she will run a safe station and get the snow work done.
Hampton Dickens
Always has a positive and upbeat attitude. Will change his schedule when asked, has come in on days off to help when short-handed.
Kael Perschbacher
Has been an even keel operator all season. Takes initiative with snow work—sees the details that need attention
Rentals
Blake Olson
Matt Heutmaker
Retail Shop
BRIAN WENZEL
Brian has been with Arapahoe Sports for almost 2.5 years now. A contagious laugh and personality that shows with every guest interaction. Always looking to put in the extra effort to ensure guest satisfaction and the absolute king of sales contests sweeping all that were done in 2024. Great to have him and great that he is continuing with us into another summer! Congratulations Brian!!
Guest Services
Emma Van Tol
Nathan Roscoe
Snowsports
Autumn Leishman
Excelled as a lead for our Kid’s Club program. Took initiative to help others, demonstrating great teamwork.
Amber Leishman
Excelled as a lead for class lessons. Greets guests with a smile. Thinks ahead. Magically appears where needed. Great with all age groups.
Rick Levinson
Awesome team player who picks up slack where needed. Is passionate about creating a great experience for each and every guest.
Rachel Sowers
Knowledgeable team player. Willing to work on short notice and create an unforgettable guest experience. Bad*ss Lady.
Nick Esch
Skilled with all age groups. Has intentional developed his skills and knowledge throughout the season. Deeply compassionate. Creates a team atmosphere.
Isis Lopez
Willing to help where help is needed for both Lift Operations and Snowsports. Patient teacher who cares about her guests. Charismatic Coworker.
Legends:
Kim Wagner:
Kim is the first face most of you see when you come in to get breakfast in the morning. She always greets everyone with a smile and welcoming attitude! All season she has been an extremely reliable employee and strives to do a great job. Thank you, Kim for all your hard work this season!
Saul Rodriguez:
Saul is a master of his craft! Always keeping busy, helping other and never shies away from any task assigned. He manages his station and work load like no other, and always has a smile on his face!
6th Alley
Kevon Cope
Kevon is the silent hero of the A-Frame. Without question, he is always willing to help out when we are in the weeds and does it with a smile! He is a kind, friendly, and happy guy and brightens everyone’s day when he is around! We are going to miss him tremendously and hope that he returns next year again! Thank you, Kevon!
Blake Johnson
Blake has really stepped up to the plate this season! Starting as a dishwash Blake showed ambition to take on more responsibility and and also wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to learn the 6th ally hot line. Always being flexible in his personal schedule to accommodate an ever-changing schedule at work. A great team player!
BML
Lindy Bickel
Lindy is so kind, dependable and hard working. Everyone loves her!
Willow Desaultes
Il Rifugio
Stephanie Sadler
Stephanie stepped in and took on a bigger role when I was out with injury to make sure the place could stay open. She is an A+ server and mentors the other staff as much as she can. Steph has a ton of passion for her work and gives 100% all of the time.
Steilhang
Anthony Witten
Anthony was new to the Basin this year but fell into this roll quickly. His attention to detail and dedication to quality are huge drivers to the success of Steilhang. He is always willing to help in any way possible and never stops searching for new things to learn.
Ski Patrol
Jason Tran thankfully made the transition a couple years ago from FnB to be a part of ABSP. He is one of the most determined patrollers on our staff, willing to put in the time to hone each skill. In order to get on Patrol he had to work on his skiing. After a few Enduro’s we realized it was no longer a problem. Jason also spends a lot of his free time volunteering for and building “Unsheltered in Summit” for folks who work in Summit County but live out of their vehicles. This way of life has Jason setting the bar high for leading with new ideas in our community.
Morgan Cranfill began her first year with us back in December, but she brings 5 additional years of ski patrolling with her. First at Sasquatch Mtn Resort in BC, then most recently with Ski Cooper. I knew we had a strong seasoned patroller based not only on her resume but by Ski Cooper’s Patrol Director! Morgan is a highly skilled Patroller, maintaining her EMT-IV while working at St. Vincent’s in Leadville and riding with a local ambulance service!
Mackenzie Stein, is another A-Mazing employee, who has also been named 23/24 Rookie Patroller of the Year thru her peers and team within ABSP. She becomes a rising star in whatever department she lands. She first began work as a VF guide in 2021, then continued into Snowsports as a Ski Instructor, and then a lift operator, and now crushing it as a Ski Patroller. Aside from now being a Supervisor of the VF, I think she has found her home within ABSP Operations. At the very least, she can do anything and the sky is the limit for Mackenzie at A-Basin.
I have to be honest, Paul Timm was a different hire for me and ABSP. He just never fit the mold of the crusty, tired ski patroller. He came to us with previous ski patrol experience, an EMT, and avalanche training, in addition to being a skilled sawyer and an ultra-marathon runner. Again, another A-mazing employee who demonstrates his powerful skillset every day he comes to work. He brings one of the most positive, “can do attitudes” to our staff and is always smiling about it. Paul is truly an example of what we should all aspire too.
Xiker Mendia has been with A-Basin since 2017 and is now a Stage V Special Skills Avalanche Technician within ABSP. Aside from last summer when Xiker went to NZ for an endless winter, he has worked at A-Basin every summer and winter since he began in the tune shop. Similar to Mackenzie, Xiker is another rising star at Arapahoe Basin. He has been able to smile into the face of adversity, especially this season, and he continues to run at a high standard. I always look forward to working my days alongside Xiker Mendia.
Sustainability
Leah Weisman Sustainability ($100)
Leah, a star member of our Green Team, is an integral aspect of A-Basin Sustainability initiatives. Not only is she the liaison between Sustainability and Ski Patrol – a large department, but she also constantly comes up with suggestions and ideas in the waste diversion world. She advocated for compost bins and additional signage in PHQ, and is encouraging us to add scrapers to the behind the A-Frame compost bins for more efficient disposal.
Keaton Startoni Sustainability ($100)
Keaton is a HUGE help with our waste diversion initiatives. As the head “bin guy” in base ops, he was responsible for sorting, accurately disposing of, and moving recycling, glass, trash, and compost bins throughout the whole season. He sorted a plethora of beach trash, and also spearheaded trash pickup initiatives throughout the base area and parking lots on slower days.
Lift Maintenance:
Drea Castillo
“Impeccable Shop cleanliness”
“On it all the time super eager. Great snowmobile driver”
“Duh!”
“Cuz she kills it”
“Grease gun miracles and an overall good attitude etc………”
Vehicle Maintenance
Josh Miller
Just recently Josh had to rescue a down Snowcat in Zuma bowl. This is not an easy task due to its remote location from the shop. The Cat had blown a hydraulic line and lost a boogie wheel which required de tracking the machine out in the winter elements. Needless to say Josh pieced the machine back together and got it out of Zuma and back to the shop all in one day. Yikes!!!
Great job Josh!
HR/Marketing/Accounting/IT
Rosko
Rosko started as a shuttle driver halfway through the season but jumped right into the role and has been a key driver this season for us. Rosko is always willing to help out wherever he can and has the best attitude doing it. Rosko's amazing attitude and willingness really saved us when we were trying to figure out how to 'whiskey tango foxtrot' our way through the weekend traffic!
