We recently sat down with Luz Colombo, General Manager of Gold Coast, to discuss her inspiring journey from a J-1 Work & Travel Visa to a new leadership role. While Latinx Heritage Month officially wrapped up on October 15th, we wanted to continue celebrating the incredible contributions of our team members.
Department: Food and Beverage
Jobs Held: Kitchen (Prep, Cook), Supervisor, Assistant Manager of Gold Coast, General Manager of Gold Coast
Home country: Argentina
Seasons at Palisades Tahoe: 8
Tell us about your connection to skiing and Tahoe.
I learned to ski when I was nine in the south of Argentina, where my uncle has a property. I didn’t ski again until I came back here. I consider myself an on-and-off skier! I took a break when I was injured, and we will see how much I’m able to get on the slopes this season.
As for Tahoe, I love summer! I love hanging out at the lake, reading, paddleboarding, and hiking, basically all the summer activities. Tahoe City is a very welcoming place. The community at Palisades Tahoe is very kind and open. It’s reciprocal.
What inspired you to come to the US through the J-1 program, and why did you choose Palisades Tahoe?
It’s a sad start, but 2017 was a difficult year for my family. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and after she finished her treatment and went into remission, she wanted to gift me a trip. I started researching the J-1 program, and a friend recommended coming to Tahoe and specifically Palisades Tahoe. I heard that HR was supportive, and I wanted to be somewhere where we would be supported by management. I was looking for something with stability. I think I was actually the only J-1 student who read the full contract! I love this place, the teams, and the ways I’ve seen it grow. It’s both comforting and exciting to see where we can go as a whole team.
What are some of the different roles you’ve held?
I started in 2018 working back of house as a cook. Before COVID, I transitioned to front of house, and when I returned in 2022, I was promoted to supervisor. From there, I moved into an Assistant Manager position, and just recently (in late September), I was promoted to General Manager of Gold Coast.
Specifically, in Food & Beverage, we have grown so much as a business unit. Stepping into a management position is an honor, and I feel like this is such a huge opportunity to learn. I’ve gotten here by observing my peers, starting from an entry-level position, and understanding that everyone has different abilities and histories. Christian [Anderson] has been a great leader and boss who truly cares about who we are as people. I see him as a mentor.
“Luz embarked on her journey at Palisades Tahoe during the unforgettable winter of 2018/19 as a J-1 student, working as a cook. Eager to help, she quickly became a trusted guide for her peers, assisting them in navigating a new culture and country. Upon her return the following year, she transitioned to a front-of-house role and swiftly showcased her leadership potential, earning a promotion to supervisor, where she oversaw the stewarding and bussing teams. Luz has demonstrated remarkable strength and thoughtfulness as a leader and has recently been elevated to General Manager at Gold Coast. We are immensely proud of her journey and eagerly anticipate the great things ahead!”
–Christian Anderson, Manager of Gold Coast and High Camp
What does a typical day look like for you as General Manager?
It’s a very detail-oriented job! My day starts with checking weather updates and planning what we need to adjust logistically for the whole day. If we have deliveries, we set up crates to deliver food. We all pitch in with both back and front of house when needed (setting up tables, helping with all aspects). It’s all equal.
I check in with managers to make sure we’re aligned for the day. Is someone sick or not coming in? We set up bars and bring orders up. I double-check schedule accuracy, look at how sales are trending, and predict business needs. I also plan ahead for the next day. Are there events? Is snow forecasted? Is there a weekend rush?
Gold Coast requires a lot of collaboration between departments (rentals, the Funitel, ski patrol). So many groups are involved in making Gold Coast run smoothly. Throughout the day, I’m on the floor making sure things are being done properly, staying on top of cleanliness and stocking, and having conversations with chefs. We’re in a planning phase right now for our current systems and thinking about new ideas.
And yes, I shovel when necessary to clear the building! In the afternoon, there’s the logistics of trash pickup and coordinating with snowcats to bring trash down during closing duties.
What’s your favorite part of being a General Manager?
It’s such a new position (I’ve only been in it for about two weeks), but what’s super gratifying is understanding what entry-level employees need, their perspectives, their visions, and the different cultures they bring. One of our challenges as a resort is to accommodate all of those differences. Being able to see, understand, and help others in this role is a huge advantage and one of my favorite aspects of the job.
All I want is to grow and learn as much as I can. I consider myself a constant learner.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced?
Coming from a J-1 perspective, one of the main challenges is the distance (both logical and social) between where I started at entry level and where I am now. The language barrier is a real thing. Although I didn’t have to adjust too much because my English was already very good, the social aspect was different. There are so many expressions, idioms, and slang that were difficult to comprehend.
I also had some concerns about not being a huge skier, which is something many people wonder about when working at a ski resort.
What advice do you give to new employees, especially those coming from other countries?
Flexibility in understanding is key. Pause. It’s so important to pause, think, and ask lots of questions. If you have all the information, you can make well-thought-out decisions. Sometimes it takes me longer to make decisions because I want to fully understand the situation and problem to the best of my ability. It’s the little things: patience, determination, and fostering connections. This has helped me adapt better.
