Dalton Brown, a Boyertown senior and Business Management & Entrepreneurship (BME) student, knew early on that he wanted to work in his family’s business. With that goal in mind, he chose the BME program to learn the fundamentals of business and prepare for his future.
Dalton shared that BME gave him a strong foundation in understanding how a business operates, from planning and organization to real-world problem solving. “BME has prepared me for learning on the college level with the assignments and projects,” he said, adding that the coursework mirrors the expectations he will face in college this fall.
Those classroom skills are now being put into action through Dalton’s co-op experience at Spring Mountain Adventures, his family’s seasonal recreation business that offers skiing, snowboarding, and ice-skating.
Dalton began his co-op working alongside his mother in the operations office, helping prepare for the winter season with what he calls the “inside work.” His responsibilities included accounting tasks, hiring and onboarding staff, ticket sales, lessons, and assisting with promotions—all critical components of keeping the mountain running smoothly.
That experience provided valuable insight into the planning and coordination required before the season begins. Dalton has since transitioned to the “outside work,” where he now works with his father, the Director of Operations, focusing on the daily demands of mountain operations. Working closely with both of his parents has given Dalton a unique perspective on leadership and teamwork within a large organization. “I’ve always worked around them, so it isn’t too different,” Dalton shared. “There are a lot of people higher up, so they are not my only bosses.”
One of Dalton’s most unique learning opportunities has been training on the snowcat—a specialized, heavy-duty, tracked vehicle designed to groom ski slopes. He arrives early in the morning to observe experienced operators as they pack, flatten, and groom the trails. “There is definitely more to it than what I thought,” he said. “Our goal is to make the slopes fluffy and optimal for skiing for our customers.”
Once the mountain opens, Dalton helps wherever he is needed. His responsibilities include running for parts for broken vehicles, making snow, and assisting with the upkeep of the full-size NHL ice rink to keep it in optimal condition.
One of the biggest challenges of Dalton’s co-op came during a large snowfall in January. “It sounds good for the mountain to get a lot of snow, but in terms of operating and opening, a foot of snow is a lot to deal with for the lifts, parking, and ice rink,” he explained. “We were plowing and shoveling all day on Sunday and Monday, but we were able to open by noon on Monday.”
While Dalton says he prefers the outdoor maintenance work, he values learning both sides of the business and understands how closely operations and management are connected.
This fall, Dalton will attend West Chester University. After college, Dalton hopes to work out west at some of the country’s largest ski resorts, gaining experience on big mountains and learning from large-scale operations. Ultimately, he plans to bring that knowledge back home, returning to Spring Mountain Adventures to help guide the business into the future—combining what he’s learned in the classroom, on the slopes, and across the industry.