National Ski Areas Association President and CEO Steps Down
After two years in the role, Mike Reitzell will step down as the president and CEO of the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), effective November 10, 2026.
Reitzell said in a letter that he and his wife have navigated “significant health issues” within their family over the past two years, including “difficult news more recently.”
“Those experiences have given us a different perspective on our priorities and how we want to spend our time in the years ahead,” he continued. “With two young children, we’re increasingly mindful of how precious these years are and the importance of making more room for family.”
Reitzell said he’s “incredibly proud” of what the NSAA has accomplished during his tenure.
“Together, we’ve strengthened relationships across the industry, advanced important initiatives, challenged the status quo, and built meaningful momentum for the future,” he said. “Change isn’t always easy, but I believe it’s essential to moving organizations and industries forward.”
Reitzell said he’s excited for what’s ahead for the NSAA, adding that he isn’t leaving the ski industry, which is his life passion.
Stephen Kircher, the NSAA’s board chair, wrote a message thanking Reitzell “for his passion for the industry, initiating several tangible initiatives over the past two years that we can build upon, and for his commitment to a smooth transition.”
“We wish him and his family well during a difficult time,” he wrote.
Kircher said that the board will soon begin searching for the NSAA’s next leader.
According to LinkedIn, Reitzell previously served as the president of another trade association, Ski California, and as an attorney.
Established in 1962, the NSAA is a nationwide organization that represents over 300 alpine resorts that account for more than 90% of the skier and snowboarder visits in the U.S., according to its website. It produces annual conferences and a bimonthly industry publication and is active in state and federal government affairs.
The NSAA also releases annual data like skier visits and pass sale percentages that provide an annual look at the health of the lift-served ski industry. Those numbers are widely covered by news outlets, including the one you’re reading.
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