CEO
Joe Hession is the founder and CEO of SNOW Operating and a recognized leader in the field of resort operations. Joe was the architect behind the creation of SNOW Operating’s Terrain Based Learning® and Resort PartnerPrograms, which have been implemented at resorts world-wide.
Joe is the owner/operator of Mountain Creek Resort in New Jersey as well as North America’s first indoor, real-snow, ski and snowboard facility, Big SNOW American Dream opening in fall of 2019. In 2016 he formed his newest company, SnowCloud™ a technology company focused on improving the resort guest purchasing and arrival experiences.
Hession is a true resort operator with over 20 years of resort management experience. He has held leadership roles in nearly all resort operating departments working his way up from parking attendant to VP, General Manager of Mountain Creek Resort prior to founding SNOW Operating in 2012.
During his time working as a Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt for the Intrawest Corporation, Hession found a true passion for experiential design with the intent of forming emotional connections between resorts and their guests.
Hession is widely sought after as a thought leader and presenter on improving the guest experience. Joe, through his work with SNOW Operating, has been featured in The New York Times, ABC News, Huffington Post, Outside Magazine, SKI Magazine and others. Joe is also a contributor to the NSAA Journal, 32 Degrees and Ski Area Management Magazine, as well as a member of the NSAA’s Conversion & Growth Task Force.
Joe frequently speaks at resorts and industry events on the topics of: Innovation, Operations Efficiency, Process Improvement, Experience Design, Terrain Based Learning, Technology and Master Planning.