Big news in the Australian snow industry today with the resignation of Vail Resorts Chief Operating Officer ‑ Australia and Perisher, Pete Brulisauer.
Brulisauer has spent the best part of his life associated with Perisher, his parents both managers within the business before it was sold to Vail Resorts. His parents Kurt and Di were married at the Perisher Alpine Church and worked at various lodges in their younger years.
As a child Pete skied Perisher and was at one stage race department manager while at the same time studying to become an environmental lawyer.
He was appointed Executive Officer under former CEO Ashley Blondel and from there was always groomed for the top job to run the resort. He took over from Ashley Blondel in 2006.
He was at the helm when the discounted Freedom Pass was introduced to Perisher igniting a pass price war within the Australian snow industry.
When the Packer family sold Perisher lift company to the American company Vail Resorts, Mr Brulisauer was heavily involved in negotiating the sale and he would be the chief operating officer of Perisher for Vail Resorts.
Since Vail Resorts purchased Hotham and Falls Creek lift companies from the Merlin Entertainment group, Mr Brulisauer has been overseeing the three resorts in Australia and elevated to the position of senior vice president and chief operating officer of Perisher and Australia.
It is expected that Belinda Trembath, who has progressed through the ranks at Hotham lift company and now general manager Victoria and Hotham will be the new general manager for Perisher.
There is no news as to who would be appointed to oversee the three Australian resorts for Vail Resorts. As Australia regularly report back to the parent company for all decision making, this could be overseen from the Vail Resorts Broomfield headquarters in Colorado.
Mr Brulisauer is moving on to become CEO of Hamilton Island which is owned by the Oatley family.
The Oatley family have connections to Perisher with Ian Oatley and his family regular skiers at Perisher over many decades.
See link to video interview in 2021