This spring, the online publication Influential Women spotlighted one of our own. Heidi Jo Karlsson, Director of the Mountain Sports School and Recreation Manager at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, Minnesota, was recognized for more than four decades of work in mountain sports school development, instructor training, and community recreation. The profile traces a 45-year career in the ski and outdoor recreation industry.

“Heidi Jo’s influence extends far beyond our slopes,” said Duane Stutzman, General Manager at Giants Ridge. “She has spent a lifetime creating opportunities for others to learn, grow, and connect with the outdoors. This recognition is a testament to the extraordinary impact she has had on our industry and our community.”

A Lifelong Calling on the Snow

Heidi Jo’s path began at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, where she studied Outdoor Recreation and Education and enrolled in a physical education ski course. A class became a profession. She earned her first PSIA/AASI certification in 1980 and advanced to Level 3 Trainer and CS2 Children Specialist, all while raising two children as a single parent. Over the years she held director-level roles at respected Midwest ski destinations including Spirit Mountain Recreation Area, Buck Hill, and Wild Mountain Taylors Falls, building ski school programs that kept thriving long after she moved on.

Building the School at Giants Ridge

At Giants Ridge, Heidi Jo grew the mountain sports instructor team from just eight to nearly 50, a more than sixfold expansion. She also reintroduced PSIA/AASI events at the resort, creating local opportunities for certification and instructor networking. Her work does not stop when the snow melts. She leads eight-week downhill mountain biking programs for youth and adults through the warm months. She brings a deep set of credentials to all of it:

• PSIA/AASI Level 3 Trainer, the organization’s highest instructor tier
• CS2 Children Specialist, focused on teaching young skiers and riders
• PMBIA Level 1 mountain bike instructor
• Active member of the PSIA-AASI Central Division

Recognition and the Mentors Behind It

The Influential Women feature is the latest of many honors. Heidi Jo has been recognized among the top women in the ski industry by the PSIA Central Region, has appeared in the publication 32 Degrees, and received the Nancy Oakes Hall Scholarship for leadership and mentoring. She credits the mentors who shaped her, beginning with her father, who first put her on skis. She also points to Jeannie Thoren, a trailblazer in women’s ski equipment, and Renny Lovold, her first ski school director at Lutsen Mountains, who taught her to lead and instruct with clarity and purpose.

Do Not Give Up

Heidi Jo has stayed especially passionate about opening doors for women in mountain sports leadership. Her advice to those entering a long male-dominated field, the profile reports, is direct: do not give up. She believes women are “equally capable of excelling within the profession,” and she encourages them to stay confident and pursue every opportunity. Above all, she points to passion as the engine of a lasting career. It is a philosophy she sums up in three words she signs her name beside, learn, grow, inspire, and one she now passes on by teaching her grandchildren to ski and bike.

You can read Heidi Jo’s full profile at Influential Women. Thank you for all you do, Heidi Jo!

After 14 years at Guest Services, Director of Safety and Security Bill Briggs is retiring on May 29. Bill joined the company in 2012 following a long and distinguished career with the FBI, bringing an investigator’s mindset that would shape safety operations for the next decade and a half. His one-person department reached nearly every corner of the company, from remote national parks to recreational boating and marinas to high-security government dining facilities.

An Invisible Shield Across 14 Years

Jeff Ritter, Corporate Compliance Officer, describes Bill’s role plainly: “Bill has served as our invisible shield.” That shield extended across the full geography of Guest Services and into corners of the organization most colleagues will never see. Bill’s combination of investigative skills and safety focus minimized workplace accidents and kept guests and team members alike protected, across every unit type the company operates.

Steady Leadership Through COVID-19

When the COVID-19 pandemic upended hospitality operations everywhere, Bill helped steer Guest Services through it.

“During one of the most challenging periods in modern history, the COVID-19 pandemic, Bill was absolutely instrumental in helping to guide our company through unprecedented circumstances,” says Nico Foris, CEO. “He developed and implemented critical policies, procedures, and safeguards that not only protected our people and operations during the crisis but will continue to strengthen Guest Services well into the future.”

The frameworks Bill built during the pandemic remain in place today, reinforcing how the company protects employees and guests across every property.

Building the Safety Foundation

Day to day, Bill’s role was equal parts proactive and reactive. He presented monthly safety training webinars to keep operations teams prepared. He investigated workplace accidents to sharpen internal protocols. He upgraded video and alarm systems, internal training, and processes across more than a decade of incremental improvement.

His work also reinforced Guest Services’ most important external relationships. Bill strengthened partnerships with the National Park Service, numerous state park systems, and countless team members across the company who relied on him for guidance. As Jeff puts it, Bill demonstrated that “excellent hospitality relies on a secure foundation,” letting service teams focus entirely on guests.

The Mark He Leaves

For Nico, what stands out is not just the work product but the manner of the leadership.

“Bill earned tremendous respect across the organization because he led with professionalism, consistency, and trust,” Nico says. “He set an exceptionally high standard, and his calm, steady leadership gave confidence to the many stakeholders we serve every day.”

“I will always be grateful for Bill’s steady presence, his thoughtful and composed approach under pressure, and his unwavering availability at all hours of the day and night,” he continues. “His leadership has had a lasting impact on this company, and his contributions have unquestionably helped protect and strengthen Guest Services for years to come.”

“His attention to detail and responsiveness in crisis situations will be difficult to replace,” Jeff says.

A Final Word from Bill

Bill himself wanted to recognize the people he worked with most directly. “I would like to mention names but there are too many to list,” he says, offering sincere thanks to the employees who helped educate him on operations and to the team members across the company who put in the work to keep their units safe and secure.

As for what comes next, Bill has arranged to volunteer with animal rescue and with his local police department.

Thank you, Bill, for 14 years of vigilant, behind-the-scenes service. Wishing you an extraordinary retirement.

Our team at The Lodge at Breckenridge in Colorado had an outstanding showing in the 4th Quarter 2025 Guest Services Champions nominations from the Breckenridge Tourism Office. Eleven of our team members earned nominations for the quarter, a strong showing that reflects the work the crew does every day on property.

Congratulations to Rhonda Wilson, Whitney Rasmussen, Amy Fletcher, Andrea Castro, Danielle Filippelli, Delaney Batton, Mira Bell, Eric Rasmussen, Toby Sharp, Blake O’Donnell, and Chris Gallen.

We also want to recognize four seasonal team members who earned nominations during their time with us: Korey, Meg, Barbar, and Yoheli. Their contributions to the Breckenridge operation were felt by the entire team and our guests alike.

As Rhonda Wilson put it when sharing the news with the property: “Fingers crossed we will win something for all our great nominations over the course of 2025.” We are proud of every one of you. Thank you for the outstanding work!

About the BTO Guest Services Champions Program

The Breckenridge Tourism Office, known around town as the BTO, runs its Guest Services Champions program through the One Breckenridge community partnership. Each season, the One Breckenridge Committee recognizes individuals and businesses across the town who provide exceptional guest service, with Champions celebrated at a BTO breakfast ceremony and a prize package to match. At the BTO Annual Meeting, the committee names an Annual Service Champion Business of the Year and an Annual Service Champion Employee from among the season’s honorees.