Resort at Squaw Creek, a luxury California resort with ski-in/ski-out access to Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and wide-ranging outdoor activities that attract guests year-round, is thrilled to welcome Nebraska native and recent Hawaii resident Aaron Garsombke as the new Recreation Director.
Bringing the gracious warmth of the aloha spirit from the islands to the mountains of Tahoe, Garsombke will deliver exceptional guest experiences in an idyllic mountain setting by planning, overseeing and organizing the program for Resort at Squaw Creek’s recreational activities, which deliver the essence of California recreation across snowy and sunshine-filled seasons.
Naturally drawn to smaller communities and attracted to Olympic Valley surrounding Resort at Squaw Creek for the outdoor exploration it affords, Garsombke is joining the resort team as an avid adventurist and accomplished hospitality professional whose experience spans over two decades across food, beverage and recreation. This influence on programming at Resort at Squaw Creek will allow him to provide guests with more multifaceted experiences, such as a new “Skate Party Series.” Occurring weekly through the month of February, a Live DJ and beverage offerings will be featured as part of the series.
Prior to joining Resort at Squaw Creek, Garsombke was senior restaurant and recreation manager of the cosmopolitan, lifestyle Waikiki resort, The Modern Honolulu. He also worked to enhance the luxury guest experience as recreations manager at Kahala Hotel & Resort, a luxury hotel in Honolulu where he implemented an amenity program providing guests a variety of watersports and marine-based tours, from surf lessons to stand up paddling, to stay active. Garsombke also enhanced the fitness program as activities manager of The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, a role which also entailed management of the Kids Club.
“As a trail-runner and biker, Aaron is a natural fit for the lifestyle here in Lake Tahoe, where there is synergy between his interests and the outdoor experiences and activities that Resort at Squaw Creek provides guests,” says Andre Priemer, area managing director of Resort at Squaw Creek. “His background in hospitality reflects a deep understanding of how to enhance the visitor experience across age groups, interests, and travel preferences. Whether planning outings for guests who share his taste for adventure or offering a safe, active place to enjoy the outdoors during family vacations, we’re excited to witness Aaron develop his newly-adopted role at Resort at Squaw Creek.”
Garsombke will bring a fresh perspective to the possibilities of new 2019 winter activities at Resort at Squaw Creek, which currently offers sledding, snowshoeing, and memorable guest experiences at the cross-country ski center and private ice-skating rink. Having graduated from college in Flagstaff, Arizona, Garsombke’s new appointment signals a return to the mountains and high elevation, where he will be tasked with boosting the resort’s high-country winter activities for the remainder of the season and adding to the resort’s current programming throughout the year.
“I’m excited about the guided tours currently offered at Resort at Squaw Creek, because I love delivering educational experiences along with great workouts to guests,” explains Garsombke. “I look forward to collaborating with local small businesses to add more value and enhance current guided offerings and off-site adventures, like the hikes to High Camp, astrology tours, naturalist-led tours, and bike and raft trips. I also plan to create more adult programming, which will be the focus for many of the spring and summer activities.”
