MY WHISTLER
Family ties inspired WB’s leader to dream big
Introduction by David Burke | Images by Joern Rohde
Name: Belinda Trembath
Occupation: Whistler Blackcomb VP and Chief Operating Officer
Belinda Trembath (BT) had only recently taken on her role leading Perisher, the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest ski resort, when an internal Vail Resorts job posting came up.
At first, she didn’t give it a second thought until the general manager of an Australian sister resort, Falls Creek, “rung me one day and said, ‘Hey BT, have you read that job description properly?’ And I said, ‘Well, I’ve had a glance.’ And he said, ‘You should be applying for that role.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, OK, maybe I should give it a crack. But I’ve only just got to Perisher. I don’t think I’ll be considered.’”
As with 2006, when a ski industry colleague had urged her to make the leap from marketing to management, the encouragement proved fortuitous. In May 2023, Vail hired Trembath to lead North America’s largest and, according to many rankings, best ski resort.
As a youngster growing up in Melbourne, Trembath had only to look within her family to learn that both boys’ and girls’ career paths were limited only by the size of their dreams. Her father, Peter, was a doctor and her mother, Jane, was a pharmacist before she switched careers, becoming a successful financial adviser for a stockbroking firm.
“She started out in her early 40s, and there were pretty much only men in advising roles,” Belinda said, adding that the men in Jane Trembath’s firm went out together for Friday lunches to which she was never invited.
“She was super inspiring and always driving us to reach a little higher,” she said of her mother’s impact on herself, sister and brother.
The first woman to lead WB said she has only recently begun to think about perhaps being considered an inspiration to young women to pursue whatever path they choose, no matter the obstacles. “I think she can be what she can see, but I’ve never really thought of myself as a trailblazer,” she said.
From growing up on the beaches of Australia to leadership of one of the world’s top ski resorts: What were a couple of the biggest milestones on that journey?
I’d say the biggest milestones were when I was given the opportunity to change roles, each time taking on new challenges as I moved from marketing to general management and then onto larger, more complex operations such as Perisher and now Whistler Blackcomb. I am fortunate to have had great mentors throughout my career, and I’ve worked hard to navigate change, such as changes in resort ownership, strategic direction or curve balls like the pandemic! I am driven by continuous improvement and it’s what I expect of our team here at WB.
How have your impressions of Whistler evolved since your arrival in May 2023?
It’s an incredible place to live. I am constantly in awe of the beauty of the mountains. I love how committed and passionate our community is about our mountains and the depth of philanthropy that ultimately provides for so many important services for our community.
What’s the biggest difference between ski resorts in Australia and Whistler Blackcomb?
The proximity to a major city and significant population within two hours’ drive. The international feel created by staff and locals who have moved here from all over the world, particularly Australia, N.Z. the U.K. and Europe. The size and scale of Whistler Blackcomb — the vertical is more than double our resorts at home, and the acreage almost double the three resorts we own in Australia!
I heard you were a coffee person, and in our chat, you brought up a coffee-related proposal for Whistler. Can you expand on that?
My hometown of Melbourne is renowned for its coffee culture, which grew out of the large post-war Italian immigration, which brought a love affair of coffee and dining out for breakfast. Our coffee culture here continues to evolve with some great spots to get a really good coffee in town and on the mountain. I’d love to see a Whistler Barista Championships; it would be a great way to elevate the coffee scene here — nothing like a little competition to drive everyone to deliver a better experience.
Favourite ski runs?
Harmony Ridge, Flute, the front side of Blackcomb and the Blackcomb Glacier — I love how remote it feels and the sense of freedom you have when you drop into your favourite line.
Favourite Whistler hangout?
Our incredible biking and hiking trails in the summer and on snow in the winter. Christine’s on Blackcomb for lunch and Wild Blue or Araxi for dinner. Honestly, I could write a long list; we’re very fortunate to have so many great options here. It makes it hard to pick favourites.