Karen Roske: Women’s History Month Spotlight

Happy International Women’s Day! In celebration of Women’s History Month, we will showcase 4 amazing women who are a pivotal part of the Palisades Tahoe community. Stay tuned for the rest of the series!

Department: Base Operations

Years at Palisades Tahoe: 40

Jobs Held: Base Operations Administrator (current) | Sq**w Valley Kids Director (former)

Karen Roske has worked for over 40 years at Palisades Tahoe with current role as Base Operations Administrator and former Sq**w Kids Director. As one of the first graduates with a “Ski Industries” degree, Karen has contributed immensely to the evolution of ski school and current daily operations. As a coach, instructor and people person herself, Karen helped handpick the best staff for J-1 and H2B employment and traveled to South America for recruiting for many years. Dive into her amazing journey!

How did you first come to Palisades Tahoe?

I started in November 1984. I went to the University of Maine at Farmington and was one of the first people in the US to graduate with a Ski Industries degree. I knew two coaches who graduated a year ahead of me that were coaching and teaching at the ski academy here. For my internships, I came and worked at Olympic Valley School (now Lake Tahoe Prep) coaching and teaching. These were back in the days when there were formal try outs to be an instructor here! I had my Level 2 PSIA from teaching at Sugarloaf during college and later passed my Level 3 PSIA certification. I did a a second internship doing college counseling for high school students along with teaching lessons at the ski school. By my second winter 1985/86, I was a full timer, and I actually changed my Boston/Maine accent to California!

What was it like pursuing a degree in Ski Industries?

At the time, Colorado Mountain College hadn’t started, but the University of Maine had just started a great program. This marked one of the first instances where working in the ski industry could translate to a full-time career. My parents were not as thrilled and definitely a bit skeptical, but I went for it. The program combined three elements: ski coaching, ski teaching, and ski business. I worked at a camp in Mount Hood for a summer and then ended up at Palisades for my internships through another coach from my college as I mentioned.

What was it like as a woman entering a male-dominated industry?

I’ve been surrounded by strong female role models! I taught in the original women’s ski clinics (now Women of Winter) by Elissa Slanger. I worked with Pat Northrop as an Instructor (fellow Women’s History Month spotlight). I won the Spirit Award 2024, which was a surprise and great honor. Dee Byrne has also been an influence on me. All this to say, I feel a great sense of community and appreciation here.

Can you tell us about your time leading kids programming?

In 1991, Alex Cushing asked me to create a separate kids’ ski school, which we called Children’s World, then changed the name to Sq**w Kids. I grew the program from serving 1,000 kids a season to over 18,000, with a staff of 192. I believe that quality programs and small class sizes for the little ones are the best methods. Over the years, we watched the program expand and adapt. I had a wonderful group of supervisors working for me, and we all worked well together.

What are you most proud of?

Coming up with a specific training program for kids’ instructors at Mountain Sports School! It takes special skills and work ethic to be a good ski instructor for kids. I always say that personality is more important than ski ability. I can teach you how to ski, but I can’t always teach the social skills involved with coaching and teaching. I’m proud to say this format is still in place today. A fun fact is it was featured in Powder Magazine in 2016.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when scaling the program?

One of the major challenges was the physical space—the program grew quickly over the years and at times it seemed we had outgrown our somewhat new building! Another challenge was to make sure we had enough staff and had enough time to get new instructors trained.

What kept you busy in the summers?

From the mid 1990’s to 2020, I oversaw securing our H2B and J1 work force and processed hundreds of visas not just for ski instructors but also for lift ops, ski patrol, groomers and several other departments. It was an honor to be trusted to hire for so many departments. For hiring, I had the opportunity to travel to South America and met prospective employees from Santiago, Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Lima, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro.

In 2020, you transitioned to a new role. What led to that change, and what does your new role entail?

In the fall of 2020, I was ready for a change and step away from the Sq**w Kids program I created and to let the next generation of leader’s lead. I left it in the very capable hands of the current Director. I still go over and teach occasionally too. I took on a new role as Base Operations Administrator, and it has been incredibly fulfilling. I cannot believe it’s already been 5 years. I absolutely love this new role. I work with various departments— our vehicle shops, building services, snow removal, parking and security—basically all the departments under Mike Martin and Pat Fraser. It’s a similar role to my previous Director job because it involves a lot of moving parts. I’m constantly learning, which keeps my brain engaged.

What’s your favorite part of your current job?

I really enjoy helping these teams be successful by making sure all the operational aspects run smoothly. It’s fast-paced and diverse, and no two days are the same. I am a very solutions-oriented person, and I like adding a human element to operations. Whether it’s solving building maintenance issues, ordering for capital projects or working on payroll, I love making sure everything stays organized.

What’s a typical day in the life?

My day usually starts early, checking for any overnight emergencies or immediate issues that need addressing. I handle the work order system for buildings, manage payroll, and make sure the crews have what they need. It’s very hands-on and detail-oriented, which is something I enjoy. I’m used to juggling many tasks and ensuring everything works together. In my current role, it’s the same principle—lots of moving parts, and I enjoy the challenge of keeping everything on track.

Does your family all enjoy skiing?

Yes! My husband Pete Roske has worked for 30 years in lift maintenance for lower lifts. And my kids Ingrid and Max grew up as Nordic ski racers and taught at Palisades as kids ski instructors. My kids think that working as a ski instructor for kids was the best job for teaching great work ethic and I definitely agree.

Favorite ski runs?

Red Dog ridge and Heidi’s

Outside of work, what activities do you enjoy?

I love backpacking, Nordic skiing, and traveling. I’ve also been involved in local volunteering, coaching Nordic kids, and serving on scholarship committees. I recently did the Trans Catalina Trail, and for my 60th birthday, I backpacked the Tahoe Rim Trail and part of the John Muir Trail. I try to stay active and continue learning new things. I’m always excited about what’s next! I have an upcoming hike in Ireland planned for this fall.

What advice do you have for women in the ski industry?

It’s all about embracing change and pivoting with grace. It’s never too late to switch things up! For women in leadership, supporting one another and creating opportunities for women to lead confidently is key.