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US: Former Vacasa and Wyndham executives have launched First Chair Destinations, a new hospitality brand focused on professionally managed vacation rentals in US ski markets.
The company currently operates across Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Vermont, Idaho, California, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It also offers a selection of coastal properties in New England.
Headquartered in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, First Chair combines local property management teams with a direct-booking platform designed specifically for ski holidays.
Guests can search properties by ski pass type, lift proximity and ski-related amenities, as well as access maps showing the distance to lifts and runs. Live snow tracking and local destination recommendations will also be available through the platform.
First Chair developed the digital booking experience with mVara.ai.
For homeowners, the company offers a portal providing real-time information on reservations, calendars and revenue performance. First Chair also uses Streamline and Breezeway to support reservation management, housekeeping and maintenance.
CEO Rishi Nigam said: “As the vacation rental market continues to expand and become more generalised, we saw an opportunity to create a highly focused hospitality brand that showcases and celebrates the destination communities we serve in a tailored way.”
Nigam previously served as CEO of Urbain Hospitality Group and senior vice president of global corporate and strategic development at Wyndham Worldwide.
President and chief operating officer Bob Milne brings more than 30 years of industry experience. He most recently served as senior vice president of operations and sales at Vacasa, where he oversaw operations and sales across its 34,000-home portfolio.
Milne said: “The most sought-after leisure destinations aren’t interchangeable. Each has a distinct identity, culture and rhythm.
“We know what makes each place special because we’re part of it. That means we’re able to view hospitality through a more personal lens as we welcome guests and make them feel valued.”
First Chair Destinations is backed by Paceline Equity Partners, a Dallas-based private equity firm with more than $1.5 billion in equity commitments and experience across hospitality and residential real estate.
The company is a Casago licensee and will continue to market its properties through Casago.com and Vacasa.com alongside its own direct-booking website.
Highlights
- First Chair Destinations has launched with a focus on US ski vacation rentals
- The company operates across nine states and select coastal New England markets
- Its booking platform includes ski pass filters, lift maps and live snow tracking
- First Chair is led by former Wyndham and Vacasa executives
- The company is backed by Paceline Equity Partners and operates as a Casago licensee
