KELLOGG –– Silver Mountain General Manager Jeff Colburn was recently elected to become the new president of the Idaho Ski Areas Association Board of Directors. 

The organization met last week to hold the election and works together to promote Idaho’s 19 ski resorts. 

Colburn, 63, has been the GM at Silver Mountain since 2006. In that time he has overseen the multi-million dollar expansion of the resort from being a simple ski hill to its current state – including luxury hotel rooms and condominiums, Silver Rapids (Idaho's largest indoor waterpark), the summit magic carpet and winter tubing park, Galena Ridge Golf Course, Silver Mountain Sports Shop and other new shops in the Gondola Village, several new ski runs, an additional terrain park, a second food-and-beverage venue on the mountain, the Jackass Snack Shack, and other substantial capital improvements.

Colburn grew up in Eastern Washington, attending Eastern Washington University and earning a Bachelor’s in Marketing. He parlayed his education into a career in tourism, working for Jeld-Wen Corporation’s Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond, Oregon, for 14 years before moving to Kellogg and operating another Jeld-Wen-owned resort. Jeld-Wen no longer owns either resort. 

While Colburn’s new title highlights his efforts in the winter sports realm, his 2013 decision to emphasize and expand Silver Mountain’s mountain bike park made the resort a year-round vacation and event destination.

Colburn will serve in his new role for a four-year term, where his primary goal is growing the number of visitors coming to Idaho’s resorts. 

“Ski Idaho's focus should remain on continuing to position Idaho as a ski destination with uncrowded slopes and a fantastic mix of big and small resorts," Colburn said. "Idaho has a lot to offer the in-state and out-of-state skiing populations. There are also many challenges facing the ski business that we as an association need to continue seeking viable long-term solutions for so all can continue to enjoy the pristine mountains of Idaho."

Along with his work in the resort world, Colburn has been active in the Silver Valley community, working with the local chamber of commerce to promote different community events including the SilverHoops 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament – the largest of its kind in North Idaho. He also coached high school basketball for a handful of seasons. 

Colburn is succeeding Brad Wilson, general manager of Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area.