Milestones, Traditions, & Transitions
Written by: Tom Chasse, COO
September 2, 2026
The coveted Schweitzer 20-year pin is a milestone that many have aspired to achieve. I’ve been fortunate enough to have recently joined “the club.” I’m about to reach another milestone; I’ll celebrate my 70th birthday this fall and plan to begin transitioning out of my role here at Schweitzer. It’s bittersweet to announce that this will be my last winter as your resort president and COO.
As I reflect on my time here at Schweitzer, it’s been the most rewarding time in my 49-year career in the ski industry. The confidence from ownership, staff, and community has supported my vision to enhance the overall guest experience with steady, methodical growth while maintaining the authenticity of a local ski hill, not an easy task. Major accomplishments have included replacing 5 aging lifts, expanding snowmaking coverage, taking the sky house from concept to reality coupled with the construction of the Humbird hotel and Cambium Spa.
My early professional career in the ski industry focused on sharing my passion for skiing as an educator, evaluator, and mentor for the Eastern Division of PSIA. While I aspired to continue that path through the PSIA National Demo Team, not being selected at the tryouts led me back to my home mountain in New Hampshire. At the time Attitash was owned by the American Skiing Company, and I was fortunate to have several mentors including Les Otten, founder Phil Gravink, and Chris Diamond, resort presidents that guided me along a path to become the resort president in 1999.
After 14 years with ASC, I recognized it was time for another transition. Through a Seattle-based recruiter who was filling a leadership vacancy at Schweitzer, I was introduced to a mountain I had never heard of before. After visiting in April of 2006, my wife Donna and I immediately fell in love with the area, moved to Sandpoint that August, and have never looked back. In the 20 years since moving here, we have raised 3 beautiful children and now 6 grandchildren who all share the same passion for skiing as I have. It’s been extremely rewarding watching each of them hone their skills here at Schweitzer.
Donna and I have just wrapped up the construction on our new home. Having lived in a remote area of Sagle, we’ve now got easy access to downtown, the lake, and within biking distance of our grandchildren. In retirement, I’m looking forward to playing hockey during daylight hours, racking up 100 days on the slopes and spending a few sunny days on the lake.
I remain optimistic about the future of Schweitzer. We’ve got a solid team in place, a well-maintained asset and a long-range plan that will sustain the quality of the guest experience while maintaining the “goofy” culture that we’ve established together.
- Tom
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September 2, 2026
The coveted Schweitzer 20-year pin is a milestone that many have aspired to achieve. I’ve been fortunate enough to have recently joined “the club.” I’m about to reach another milestone; I’ll celebrate my 70th birthday this fall and plan to begin transitioning out of my role here at Schweitzer. It’s bittersweet to announce that this will be my last winter as your resort president and COO.
As I reflect on my time here at Schweitzer, it’s been the most rewarding time in my 49-year career in the ski industry. The confidence from ownership, staff, and community has supported my vision to enhance the overall guest experience with steady, methodical growth while maintaining the authenticity of a local ski hill, not an easy task. Major accomplishments have included replacing 5 aging lifts, expanding snowmaking coverage, taking the sky house from concept to reality coupled with the construction of the Humbird hotel and Cambium Spa.
My early professional career in the ski industry focused on sharing my passion for skiing as an educator, evaluator, and mentor for the Eastern Division of PSIA. While I aspired to continue that path through the PSIA National Demo Team, not being selected at the tryouts led me back to my home mountain in New Hampshire. At the time Attitash was owned by the American Skiing Company, and I was fortunate to have several mentors including Les Otten, founder Phil Gravink, and Chris Diamond, resort presidents that guided me along a path to become the resort president in 1999.
After 14 years with ASC, I recognized it was time for another transition. Through a Seattle-based recruiter who was filling a leadership vacancy at Schweitzer, I was introduced to a mountain I had never heard of before. After visiting in April of 2006, my wife Donna and I immediately fell in love with the area, moved to Sandpoint that August, and have never looked back. In the 20 years since moving here, we have raised 3 beautiful children and now 6 grandchildren who all share the same passion for skiing as I have. It’s been extremely rewarding watching each of them hone their skills here at Schweitzer.
Donna and I have just wrapped up the construction on our new home. Having lived in a remote area of Sagle, we’ve now got easy access to downtown, the lake, and within biking distance of our grandchildren. In retirement, I’m looking forward to playing hockey during daylight hours, racking up 100 days on the slopes and spending a few sunny days on the lake.
I remain optimistic about the future of Schweitzer. We’ve got a solid team in place, a well-maintained asset and a long-range plan that will sustain the quality of the guest experience while maintaining the “goofy” culture that we’ve established together.
- Tom
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