Windham Mountain Club

WINDHAM, NY – April 29, 2025 – Today, Windham Mountain Club announced that Kristen Leach, the company’s Director of Membership, will be promoted to President, effective immediately. Current President and ski industry veteran of 39 years, Chip Seamans, announced his retirement after 14 successful years at the helm of the organization. Seamans will become Chairman of Windham Mountain Club and step back from day-to-day operations. Windham Mountain Club also announced that Ian Peters, the company’s Director of Technology, will be promoted to Vice President of Operations.  

Leach joined Windham Mountain Club in 2016 to manage club and golf course operations. She brings extensive hospitality management experience and deep local roots as a born and raised Windham resident. During her tenure, Leach’s responsibilities have evolved to span food and beverage, special events, marketing, and membership sales. Over the last year, she has led the company’s new membership initiatives and transformed the membership offering and experience. 

“I am extremely proud of the seasoned team we’ve built over the past 14 years to grow Windham into a premier ski resort in the Northeast, where my love and passion for the ski industry started over 40 years ago,” said Chip Seamans. “Kristen has contributed a great deal to our success, and her natural leadership, vision, and deep connections to this community will ensure WIndham continues to thrive for generations to come.” 

“Having grown up in Windham, the mountain and town have always been central to my life,” said Kristen Leach, President of Windham Mountain Club. “I’m honored to build upon the impressive foundation established by Chip, our ownership, and passionate team of managers and employees to further enhance the Windham experience for our members, season passholders, and guests.” 

Chip Seamans’ career in the ski industry began in ski patrol at Sunday River, where over 16 years he rose to become President and Managing Director. Seamans joined Willis/MountainGuard for two years before heading west to take the helm at Kirkwood Mountain Resort. In 2011, Seamans arrived in Windham and led the mountain through remarkable transformation, navigating multiple changes in ownership and implementing a long-range development plan that has positioned the mountain as a premier resort destination in the Northeast. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the National Ski Areas Association and is a past chair of Ski Areas of New York. As Chairman of Windham Mountain Club, Seamans will focus on future development planning and serve in an advisory capacity for the 2025-2026 season. 

Peters, as the new Vice President of Operations, will now oversee Mountain Operations, Ski and Ride School, and the new Pool and Racquet Club, in addition to shared services and infrastructure departments. Peters has generational ties to Windham and continues a family legacy in serving Windham’s hospitality industry. After graduating from Windham Ashland Jewett Central School, he earned a Computer Science degree from Columbia University and worked in technology and trading positions at Deutsche Bank. Peters returned to his hometown in 2015 to join Windham Mountain Club, and his focus on operational improvements and innovative technology solutions over the past decade has significantly enhanced the total guest experience. 

“Learning to ski on this mountain at age three sparked a lifelong passion,” said Peters, VP of Operations. “This resort is inextricably linked to my own life story and is the site of enduring friendships and now, teaching my daughters to ski here just as I did, treasured family moments. In my new role, I’m excited to help our members and guests craft their own lifelong memories in this special setting.” 

Sandy Beall, Owner and Partner of Windham Mountain Club, expressed enthusiasm about the leadership transition.  

“As we enter this next chapter of Windham Mountain Club, we are thrilled to promote from within,” said Beall. “Kristen and Ian represent the perfect blend of local heritage and forward-thinking leadership needed to usher us towards our future as a leading four-season mountain resort.” 

 

About Windham Mountain Club  

Windham Mountain Club is a year-round resort and members’ club that welcomes discerning guests and families seeking an escape from city life, just a short drive from New York City. Summer offers mountain activities spanning mountain biking, hiking, guided horseback riding to fly fishing, along with family events and kids’ camps. In winter, guests enjoy 285 skiable acres across 54 trails serviced by 10 lifts, an award-winning Ski and Ride School, and world-class competition teams. The club features eight distinctive dining concepts and a cutting-edge Windham Wellness program, featuring a premium gym and spa offering Biologique Recherche treatments. Future enhancements include a new Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course, pool and racquet club, Hudson River outpost, and expanded lodging options.  

 

For inquiries about Windham Mountain Club, please contact:

Liz Cunningham; [email protected]

Kate Sullivan; [email protected]