In ceremonies hosted Saturday, Oct. 8, Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort paid tribute to the Helm family name by dedicating the resort’s Family Lodge, in their honor. The dedication was a focal point during the resort’s 22nd annual Winter Kick-Off, Oktoberfest event festivities.
The ceremony took place in front of the Family Lodge at Dodge Ridge’s base area as the landmark was dedicated over celebratory speeches and a mimosa toast to commemorate this moment in Dodge Ridge history.
The Helm Family Lodge dedication comes just over a year since the family handed the Dodge Ridge torch over to the current ownership following 46 years of operation from 1976 to 2021. This decision was no small feat for the Helms as they worked purposefully and diligently to ensure that Dodge Ridge would be left to owners who would carry on the family-oriented culture that has made this resort special for over 70 years.
The Helm family’s purchase of Dodge Ridge in 1976 set in motion a new era for Dodge Ridge. During their tenure, they were able to successfully triple the resort’s skiable acreage through key lift installations, including Boulder Creek Chair 8, while also completing a $6 million base area expansion, including construction of the Family Lodge. They are additionally credited for working in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to gain approval on the lift-accessed mountain biking plan, which has now become a reality at Dodge Ridge as of August 2022.
“Frank and Sally Helm’s love and passion for Dodge Ridge created a community that thrives to this day and Dodge Ridge is truly grateful for the vision and drive that the Helms devoted their lives to for so many years. In acknowledgement of the significant contribution that the Helm family made to this mountain, it is with great admiration and affection that Dodge Ridge dedicates the Helm Family Lodge in their honor.” said Karl Kapuscinski, President and CEO, Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort.
And as Dodge Ridge gets prepared for the season, officials have also announced the hiring of Paul Mundy as the new Snowsports School Director.
Mundy’s hiring will be a “welcome home” of sorts for the former member of the Dodge Ridge management team who served as director of the ski school and race programs, along with sales and Marketing at Dodge Ridge for 22 years from the 1980’s into the 2000’s. Mundy brings with him a long list of industry achievements, most notable of which awarded him SKI Magazine’s Golden Eagle Award in 2000 for development of the SkiWee program at Dodge Ridge in the 1990’s.
During the time away from his home mountain, he utilized his vast knowledge in the recreation industry to bring about exponential growth for other renown entities such as Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort in Angels Camp and Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys. The ski school director/sales and marketing executive then went on to lead a multi-million dollar capital campaign for the Dignity Health’s Mark Twain Medical Center Foundation.
Mundy’s return to Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort looks to bring about fundamental updates to the Snowsports Lesson programming in the coming seasons. The resort’s snowsports lesson programs have long been renowned for their ability to develop life-long skiers and boarders and will look to combine that momentum with Mundy’s expertise to bring about new growth and new life that will benefit both Dodge Ridge and the ski industry as a whole.
While working away from Dodge Ridge, Mundy has always remained an annual passholder and one of the most energized skiers on the mountain.
“Whether it’s a powder day or a bluebird groomer day, you’ll likely find Paul somewhere on the mountain. His love of skiing is only surpassed by his enthusiasm for turning new skiers and boarders into life-long skiers and boarders and we’re truly blessed to have his energy and charisma on the mountain once again this season,” said Kapuscinski.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the Dodge Ridge team once again. This place has always remained near and dear to my heart and I am just overjoyed for this opportunity to bring our snowsports lesson programs to even greater heights,” said Mundy about his return to Dodge Ridge.
Located in Tuolumne County off Highway 108 in Pinecrest, Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort offers year-round mountain recreation with easy access from California’s Central Valley, Monterey and the greater Bay Area. For reservations and additional information visit DodgeRidge.com or call (209) 965-3474.
