Ski Utah to replace its president

Citing a need to change directions, the executive committee of Ski Utah/Utah Ski & Snowboard Association announced late Wednesday that it was replacing Kip Pitou, president of Ski Utah.

"Kip Pitou has done a great job and has brought us a long way in the past few years," said F. Scott Pierpont, board president.

"The executive board, however, felt it was time for our organization to move in a different direction, and we decided to make this change in leadership at this time."

Pitou was named president of Ski Utah in June of 1998.

Before coming to Utah he was vice president of K2 Corporation and chief operating officer of Pre Ski.

During his years, Pitou initiated a number of programs and marketing strategies that resulted in Utah resorts enjoying back-to-back record seasons.

This past season, Utah's 13 resorts recorded 3,895,578 skier days, which is a 12 percent rise over the 2003-2004 count of 3,386,141. Skier counts in 2002-2003 were 3.1 million.

Utah's skier days have risen a total of 17 percent the past two seasons. Utah resorts have also had record snowfall this past season, with resorts reporting more than 600 inches — 100 inches more than the average snowfall for resorts such as Alta and Snowbird.

Ski Utah is the marketing arm of Utah skiing industry, representing both resorts and support businesses, such as restaurants and lodging.

Committee members said they plan a nationwide search for a new president.