Podcast
Epic By Nature
Hosted by Vail Resorts · EN
There are so many heroes in the story of Vail Resorts and in the ski industry as a whole. Those are the journeys that CEO Rob Katz explores on this podcast, while also tackling some tough questions, like crowding, labor, and accessibility. Joined by his Chief of Staff and the occasional guest, Rob dives into the values that guide our company, the decisions that shape our future, and the stories that inspire us to keep pushing forward.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Predicting Powder: The Science, Stress, and Stoke behind OpenSnow
2w ago00:27:20Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Epic By Nature, CEO Rob Katz sits down with Joel Gratz, Founder and CEO of OpenSnow to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to predict a powder day. From translating complex weather models, to the emotional weight of knowing millions of people are watching every forecast update in real time, Joel shares the process, pressure, and passion behind OpenSnow.
Transcribe →Mountain Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction
Mar 1800:25:58Tap to summarizeOur sport runs on passion—which means that sometimes, strong opinions can be treated like absolute truths. From “skiing is dying because it’s too expensive” to “skiing is ruined because the mountains are too crowded,” there are several commonly held myths that can shape how people feel about the ski industry and our company, long before they ever set foot on the mountain. In this episode, CEO Rob Katz and his Chief of Staff take on the loudest narratives one by one—cutting through the noise and separating fact from fiction along the way.
Transcribe →From Lifts to Livestreams: Meet Skiing’s Next Generation
Mar 300:24:46Tap to summarizeOur sport is at the beginning of a generational handoff—for the first time, a cohort of new skiers and riders are arriving to the mountains fully fluent in a digital world where community and identity are often built first online and reinforced later in person. As Vail Resorts launches new young adult pricing for our 2026/27 Epic Pass products, CEO Rob Katz sits down with content creator Grace Donner to hear how Gen Z skiers and riders are engaging in the sport differently, redefining how people get introduced to it, and changing the way it grows.
Transcribe →Belonging is Built: How to Welcome More People to the Mountain
Feb 2700:37:10Tap to summarizeIn our latest episode of Epic By Nature, we’re building on the conversation we started earlier this season around how to make skiing and riding more accessible and more welcoming to more people. CEO Rob Katz sits down with Quincy “Q” Shannon, a leading organizer in Denver’s Black snowsports community, to discuss who feels invited onto the mountain and what it truly takes to build a sense of belonging in snowsports.
Transcribe →
Weathering the Weather: The Hidden Work of Winter
Jan 2300:27:14Tap to summarizeThe start of the North American ski season has largely been a tale of two winters. While parts of the country saw historic early snowfall, the Rockies experienced one of the worst early-season snowfalls in more than 30 years. And yet for all our teams, winter has been anything but slow. In this episode, CEO Rob Katz talks with Keystone Resort’s Senior Mountain Operations Director about how multi-year investments in snowmaking, technology, and expertise helped Keystone become the first resort in North America to open this season—and how creativity and teamwork have kept the mountain and the community moving forward, even when conditions haven’t cooperated.
Transcribe →Beyond the Bargaining Table: How Vail Resorts Thinks About Organized Labor
Jan 2000:30:19Tap to summarizeWhat does it mean to balance labor unions, employee needs, guest expectations, and community commitments? One year after the labor strike at Park City Mountain, CEO Rob Katz and his Chief of Staff reflect on lessons learned, share insights into the company’s approach to organized labor, and explore the responsibilities and stakeholders that extend beyond the bargaining table.
Transcribe →
Raising the Bar on Mountain Dining
Dec 1700:22:10Tap to summarizeFood is more than just fuel when you’re skiing or riding—it’s a core part of the fun. But as trends and expectations change, so too must the dining experience—which is why Vail Resorts recently announced a series of strategic investments and upgrades to elevate mountain dining across our portfolio. In this episode, CEO Rob Katz talks with two of our leading innovators about how mountain dining is evolving—and how we’re evolving along with it, putting our money where our mouth is through immersive (and delicious) dining experiences.
Transcribe →Closing the Lift Ticket Gap: A Conversation with Industry Guru Stuart Winchester
Dec 900:27:27Tap to summarizeIn 2008, the Epic Pass revolutionized skiing and riding, delivering unmatched value for guests and long-term stability for the industry. But for those who cannot commit to skiing and riding ahead of the season, the rise of season passes left a gap—one that Vail Resorts is trying to bridge with a new lift ticket discount for skiers and riders who plan a month ahead. In this episode, CEO Rob Katz welcomes Stuart Winchester—host of the Storm Skiing Podcast—for a candid conversation about the state of the ski industry, the pros and cons of lift ticket pricing, and the creative thinking needed to keep the sport accessible.
Transcribe →Why Olympian Nick Goepper Isn’t Afraid to Ski in Jeans
Nov 1700:23:49Tap to summarizeMaking skiing and riding more accessible is an imperative for Vail Resorts—and a topic we’ll explore on Epic By Nature from multiple angles. In this first conversation, Rob Katz sits down with three-time Olympic medalist Nick Goepper to tackle one of the more subtle barriers in the sport: the judgments and stereotypes around what people wear on the mountain. From competing in jeans to his Midwest roots, Nick shares how embracing authenticity can help make skiing and riding more welcoming.
Transcribe →The state of our business and the need to reimagine (again)
Oct 800:18:23Tap to summarizeIn the second episode of Epic By Nature, Rob Katz takes a hard look at Vail Resorts as it stands today, exploring the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping the company. From evolving the Epic Pass to reshaping the guest experience, he reflects on the difficulty of taking stock of what’s already been imagined in order to reimagine it again.
Transcribe →