Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – Detroit Mountain Recreation Area has hired a new general manager to run the day-to-day operations of Detroit Lakes’ winter destination.
Tom Thiel, a former beverage sales manager and outdoors enthusiast, said he knows he’s going to try to fill some big shoes, but he plans on continuing the Mountain’s success, which means reaching outside of the lakes area to draw more daily tourists.
“Obviously the shoes to fill are very large,” said Thiel. “My number one goal is to come in here and keep the Mountain going in the direction it has been. I think it’s been a huge success for the community. The goal is, looking forward, to draw not just from the proximity of Detroit Lakes, but to tie in more to the population in the Fargo-Moorhead area. I think there is just so much that this area offers that it’s a great show piece for Detroit Lakes. And, if we’re not getting more people here, we’re doing ourselves a disservice.”
Thiel will take over from Mark Knutson, who was killed in a bicycle accident in July and championed an event heavy Detroit Mountain calendar to bring in more guests, more frequently, something Thiel hopes to keep up.
He also said, even though the first snow has made its way into the forecast, , the temperatures are going to need to be consistently in the teens and twenties before they can really start to pile it up.
“We’re always dreaming snow,” he said. “A thing we need to see happen is we need to see temps in the 20s. If it’s in the 20-degree or less range, it’s snowmaking season. But, until that’s sustainable, it’s a process that doesn’t really bare a lot of fruit … if it’s going to be 30s or 40s the next day, it’s all for nothing.”
The Mountain is tentatively planning on opening the day after Thanksgiving for the first runs of the season, but that start date is completely dependent on the weather.
He also added they are transitioning to a new point-of-sale system at Detroit Mountain and they will be keeping their early-bird season pass pricing through the November opening.
Thiel also said anyone looking for some winter hours at a great place to work should seriously consider applying at Detroit Mountain this season.
“The number one benefit always is you get a free season pass when you are an employee out here,” said Thiel. “We’re always looking for good people. We’re looking for people across the Mountain from lift ops to our café to our rentals, so anyone looking for some employment this winter should definitely look at Detroit Mountain.”
For more information on open positions at Detroit Mountain, or to purchase an early-bird season pass, check out their website at: detroitmountain.com.
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