www.aspentimes.com/article/20061125/RECREATION01/111260 -
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Published on: 11/25/2006
Last Visited: 3/8/2007
Steve Sewell likes things low-key.The new mountain manager at Snowmass Ski Area likes media scrutiny and controversy about as much as skiers like rocks underfoot.
So it came a surprise when Sewell said recently that he thinks Snowmass can soon topple Vail and Whistler-Blackcomb as the top resort in North America in the annual ski area rankings in publications like Ski magazine.
"That is my goal, to see Snowmass No. 1 in the rankings in 2009," said Sewell.
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It's not just a personal quest for Sewell.
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Snowmass Mountain manager Steve Sewell believes Snowmass can top the North American ski area rankings when the planned improvements are complete. (Paul Conrad/Aspen Times Weekly)
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"I think what the gondola will do is spread the crowds out," said Sewell.He welcomes the change because the Elk Camp and Alpine Springs areas were "underutilized."
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The Skico brass picked Sewell to oversee Snowmass for its "renaissance."
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During seven years as manager of Aspen Mountain, Sewell impressed Kaplan and earned the opportunity to move to Snowmass.
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Sewell said he was excited to return to Snowmass, where he worked for 24 years, because of its vast potential.
"We're going to be offering the whole package here," he said, which is why he's eyeing the ranking as the top resort in North America.
Sewell believes Snowmass can achieve business acclaim to match the critical acclaim.When asked if the ski area can top sales of 1 million lift tickets, he said it could.