Shawn Taylor Is New General Manager

King Pine Ski Area is pleased to announce the appointment of Shawn Taylor as their new General Manager. Taylor, a dedicated member of the King Pine team since 1986, brings over three decades of hands-on experience to his leadership role.

Taylor’s journey with King Pine began as a seasonal employee in 1986, and he has worked there year-round since 1996. Over the years, he has contributed to nearly every aspect of the ski area, from ski and snowboard instruction to working in lift maintenance and snowmaking. He admits to having helped out at times flipping burgers and wiping tables in the base lodge – whatever was necessary to keep the guests happy at the mountain. Taylor’s diverse experience across the resort makes him exceptionally qualified to lead King Pine into its next chapter.

A Focus on Community Growth

For Taylor, King Pine’s biggest opportunity lies in deepening its ties with the local community. “For us, being a smaller area, it’s all about community,” Taylor said. “We want to continue growing as a community partner, making sure we remain a welcoming, family-oriented mountain.”

What’s New for This Winter

Taylor is spearheading several initiatives for the upcoming winter season. For Food and Beverage operations, his plans include reopening their snack bar for easier guest access, and continuing food and beverage service in the Evergreen Room and Pine Cone Café.

Building on their growing reputation as an uphill skiing destination, King Pine has joined the New England Uphill Multi-Pass. Taylor added, “Uphill is going to grow even more because we are small. People just getting into the sport will find it is not an extreme hike uphill before you ski down. Younger people or those just getting into it might not have the endurance to get to the top of a larger hill. Just as with alpine skiing, we are a good starter mountain.” The resort is once again an associate member of the Indy Pass and their members receive discounts at the mountain.

The resort is also working to revitalize its Nordic program, having purchased a new smaller grooming machine last year. “We are working to bring back our Nordic program a little more. We want to open the trails to get back to where we were pre-Covid,” Taylor stated.

For ski school, Taylor aims to reintroduce their former “Mountain Knee High” program in a new format. Called the Snow Squad and Junior Snow Squad, these programs will focus on providing young riders with personalized, seasonal instruction. “We are going to add a Junior Snow Squad seasonal program. It will be a smaller group for kids who already ride the lift, to get instruction on the hill.”

Navigating Challenges

Taylor acknowledges that King Pine, like all ski areas, faces significant challenges, particularly in terms of climate and workforce. “The weather has been extreme these past few years, and that unpredictability can create hurdles for snowmaking and guest expectations,” Taylor explained. Fortunately, King Pine boasts a strong snowmaking system that allows the team to create snow quickly when temperatures drop.

On the workforce side, Taylor notes that while the resort’s core staff remains solid, finding seasonal employees remains a challenge. “We focus on hiring locals, whether they are recent high school or college graduates, retirees, or those seeking seasonal work,” Taylor said. King Pine has not pursued J1 visa workers due to the local housing shortage, instead relying on local talent.

Affordability and Family Values

As an independently owned ski area, King Pine remains committed to offering affordable pricing for families. “We aren’t going to get the extreme skier here,” said Taylor. “Our strength is in our snow conditions, grooming, and affordable food and beverage prices. We strive to offer an accessible, family-friendly experience where guests are treated like part of our own family.”

Taylor is confident that King Pine will continue to attract loyal guests. “The loyalty we see from families returning year after year is truly remarkable,” he said. “As a smaller, independently owned mountain, we take pride in providing an inviting, personalized experience.”

A Personal Connection to King Pine

Having grown up in the area, Taylor has a deep personal connection to King Pine. He currently lives in nearby Tamworth, NH, and raised his son on the slopes of King Pine. His son, now 21, continues the family tradition as a “ski bum” in Colorado. Taylor also spent six summers working for the Morrell family at Story Land, gaining valuable experience in the local tourism industry.

Taylor is one of three new general managers across New Hampshire’s ski resorts, along with Jace Wirth at Cannon and Robert Drake at Gunstock. Taylor looks forward to leading King Pine with a focus on community, accessibility, and maintaining the family-friendly values that make the mountain a cherished destination for locals and visitors alike.