Episode summary
Using AI for Ski Resort Management | Bloomberg Businessweek
Bloomberg Businessweek Daily
· · 12 min · Hosts: Carol Massar, Tim Stenovec, Emily Graffeo · Guests: Joe Hession, Doug Pierini
Summary
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is replacing legacy resort software with SnowCloud to modernize operations and create a more connected guest experience. The discussion centered on how ski resorts, unlike more standardized retail businesses, have long been constrained by fragmented, on-premise systems that were not built for mobile booking, multi-product sales, or real-time guest service.
Joe Hession argued that cloud-based infrastructure and AI can help resorts move beyond basic transaction processing into predictive staffing, pricing, capacity planning, and more personalized trip planning. He said the biggest near-term opportunities are analytics and operational efficiency, not AI for its own sake, because the business needs a clear return on investment.
Doug Pierini said Jackson Hole chose the platform to “uplevel” guest experience and meet customers where they are, especially on mobile. He described the investment as justified because a smoother experience should help guests move faster through the resort, buy more services in one place, and come back again. The segment also noted that Jackson Hole is a year-round destination, with summer biking, hiking, and scenic rides complementing winter skiing.
Key takeaways
- Joe Hession said legacy resort systems are 20 to 30 years old and were not built for the mobile, connected guest experience resorts now need.
- Doug Pierini said Jackson Hole wanted one platform that could handle lift tickets, lessons, food and beverage, and rentals without forcing guests onto separate systems.
- Hession said AI could help resorts predict skier visits, optimize staffing, and improve pricing and capacity decisions.
- Pierini said the return on the tech spend comes from a better guest experience that should drive repeat visits.
- Hession said SnowCloud is focused on using AI where it improves efficiency, not on overspending just to experiment.
Notable quotes
“Modernizing resort operations and embracing a truly connected guest experience”
“Technology was the thing they were missing. And and you hear it time and time again. Legacy platforms been around for 20, 30 years”
“we were really looking to uplevel our guest experience”
“Now it's like we're unleashed and we can go wherever and sell anything we offer almost”
“AI now can can crunch numbers and do all types of of of analysis in in ways that we can never, right”
How the episode opens
Bloomberg Audio Studios podcasts, radio, news. — You're listening to Bloomberg Business Week with Carol Masser and Tim Stenc on Bloomberg Radio. — You may know Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for its terrain, its unmatched vertical. Um, are you a skier? — I am.
You are. Do you know them? — I Well, I know Jackson Hole. They're on my bucket list. I haven't been skiing there yet. I have been there in the summer. All right. — Um, which was great.
All right. So, you need to probably get there. It's uh you could even go now because they are known for their year-round destination.
Um, against the majestic Tetons. Um, but with anything technology, the cloud increasingly part of doing business. It doesn't matter who you are, including a ski resort.
On that, Jackson Mountain Resort this spring took a step toward what it says was quote, "Modernizing resort operations and embracing a truly connected guest experience. So, here to tell us all about it in studio in our Bloomberg interactive broker studio is Joe Hessen. He is CEO and co-founder of Snow Cloud, also founder and CEO of its parent company, Snow Partners.
Um, and then we've also got with us from Teton Village, Wyoming at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, is Doug Pini. He is CEO of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Gentlemen, so good to have you here.
Um I want to start with um first of all tell us Joe about what you guys are doing your platform because you do a lot of different things but you said the last few years you've really been thinking about technology and what's needed especially when it comes to it sounds like resorts and hospitality.
Yeah. So we're resort operators from heart. That's that's kind of our background where we come from.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- ai for ski resorts
- guest experience
- resort tech modernization
- connected arrival journeys
- digital purchasing
Companies and tickers mentioned
- SnowCloud
- Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Watch the episode
Watch “Using AI for Ski Resort Management | Bloomberg Businessweek” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
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