Nathan Butterworth appointed new Perisher boss by Vail Resorts

VAIL Resorts have today announced their new vice president & general manager for Perisher with Nathan Butterworth being appointed to the role. 

Butterworth built his career over the course of two decades at Perisher, starting in 2002. He had been a key part of senior management at the resort before being appointed as vice president & general manager at Hotham in April 2022.

He will officially begin his new role overseeing Perisher from June 12 and take over from Belinda Trembath who was recently appointed to run the Whistler Blackcomb resort in Canada.

His deep knowledge of and passion for Perisher will be a huge asset to the resort as they approach another winter season.

“When I first started in the ski industry at Perisher in 2002, I discovered a passion and affinity for the outdoors and snow sports that has taken root and grown in an incredibly meaningful way,” said Butterworth.

“It is an honour to be returning to the resort as its new leader after building my career there – I look forward to jumping in with both feet, reconnecting with the team and community, and starting snow season strong once again.”

Butterworth is currently the vice president & general manager at Hotham. Under his leadership, the resort team achieved its strongest performance on record last season, and he successfully navigated complex initiatives over the course of his tenure, including the sale of Hotham Airport.

Prior to Hotham, Butterworth spent 20 years at Perisher in a variety of roles across business functions and mountain operations, including as resort services director, where he led and oversaw ski & ride school, guest services, retail and rentals, ticketing and more.

Perisher Resort taken in 2022.

“With two decades of mountain operations experience and deep knowledge of the resort and community at Perisher, paired with leadership experience gained while at Hotham, Nathan is well equipped to step into this new role,” said Doug Pierini, senior vice president & chief operating officer, west region at Vail Resorts.

“His passion for the outdoors, snow sports, and environmental sustainability, along with an unwavering commitment to his team and community, will support the long-term success of Perisher and the industry in Australia.”

Over the course of his 21-year career, Butterworth has contributed tremendously to the Australian ski industry and has also been an instrumental leader in the development and launch of Vail Resorts’ Epic Australia Pass, building upon the interest sparked by the Freedom Pass, which he also helped create. Butterworth supported all of Vail Resorts Australia in managing through, and recovery from, the COVID-19 pandemic, and provided commercial oversight of several significant infrastructure projects while also prioritizing environmental conservation along the way.