BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley Resort has a new general manager.

Pete Sonntag has been named vice president and general manager, responsible for day-to-day operations of the resort.

Current President and General Manager Tim Silva will remain president of Sun Valley company, transitioning his focus to development and planning.

The changes will be effective June 7.

“We are excited to welcome Pete to the Sun Valley Family; he brings a wealth of mountain resort knowledge and is well equipped to lead Sun Valley Resort,” said Bruce Fery, CEO of Grand America Hotels & Resorts, parent company of Sun Valley Company.

“Sun Valley has been so fortunate to benefit from Tim Silva’s contributions for over 30 years, culminating in Sun Valley being recognized by SKI Magazine as the number one ski resort in North America. We are confident that Pete will seamlessly transition into the General Manager role that Tim has so deftly commanded, continuing to drive an exceptional experience in the mountains for all our employees, guests and community,” Fery added.

Sonntag has held leadership roles at a number of acclaimed mountain destinations in North America, including Whistler Blackcomb where he was appointed senior vice president in September 2019 with responsibility for Whistler Blackcomb, Stevens Pass, the company’s three resorts in Lake Tahoe and three resorts in Australia.

He began his ski career in 1984 as an instructor for the Beaver Creek Ski and Snowboard School and has served as a Ski School Director at a number of resorts including Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Copper Mountain. He began his career in the mountains on the maintenance crew at the Beaver Creek Golf Course as an 18-year-old who had decided engineering school was not his passion.

Sonntag will be joined in Sun Valley by his wife and three children, all of whom share a passion for the outdoors. Sonntag himself loves skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, road biking, hiking and running and watching his kids play hockey.

“With such rich history and a unique mountain community, I am honored to join Sun Valley Company,” said Sonntag. “While he leaves big shoes to fill, Tim has ensured the operations of Sun Valley are poised for success. Knowing we have an exemplary team in place, Sun Valley will continue to stand out as a family-owned, independent resort focused on its loyal guests, employees and the Wood River Valley.”