First Chair Destinations Debuts as New Hospitality Brand, Offering Focused Collection of Ski Vacation Rental Homes

Destination-focused search tools help guests explore homes by lift proximity, live snow conditions and local recommendations

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Chair Destinations announced its debut as a new hospitality brand offering an intentionally focused portfolio of vacation rental homes across America's most sought-after ski destinations.

Founded by former Wyndham and Vacasa executives and backed by local teams who live and work in each market, the company is built around an approach rooted in community connection, transparent homeowner partnerships, exceptional property stewardship, and consistently seamless guest experiences.

“As the vacation rental market continues to expand and become more generalized, we saw a fantastic opportunity to create a new, highly focused hospitality brand that showcases and celebrates the special destination communities we serve in a very tailored way,” said CEO Rishi Nigam, who previously served as CEO of Urbain Hospitality Group and as Senior Vice President-Global Corporate & Strategic Development with Wyndham Worldwide. “We’ve brought together a deeply experienced team with the skills and perspective to set a higher bar for care, consistency, and transparency for both guests and homeowners. At a time when travel can feel like a hassle, there’s tremendous value in creating truly seamless experiences where vacations actually feel like vacations.”

First Chair Destinations currently operates across Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Vermont, Idaho, California, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Beyond its ski property portfolio, First Chair Destinations also offers select vacation homes in coastal New England.

“The most sought-after leisure destinations aren’t interchangeable—each has a distinct identity, culture, and rhythm,” said President & COO Bob Milne, who is based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where the company is headquartered. Milne brings more than 30 years of industry experience, most recently as Senior Vice President of Operations and Sales at Vacasa, where he oversaw operations and sales for the 34,000 homes in the Vacasa portfolio. “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.”

Benefits for Guests

• First Chair Destinations worked with mVara.ai to develop a new digital experience that helps ski travelers seamlessly discover and book exactly the right home for their stay through a direct-booking platform
• Features include the ability to search and filter homes by ski pass type and ski-centered amenities, maps illustrating distance to lifts and runs, and live snow trackers during the season
• Insider tips and local perspective that bring to life the unique character, traditions, and experiences that define each community, from recommendations on where to go in town to the best runs on the mountain
• Consistent, seamless stays backed by local teams who live and work in each market and know it firsthand
• Thoughtful personal touches that reflect the character of each destination, making every arrival feel like a genuine welcome

Benefits for Homeowners & Community Associations

• An advanced homeowner portal offering real-time visibility into reservations, calendars, and revenue performance in one place
• Rigorous oversight and attention to detail to safeguard homeowners' most valued asset
• Integrated technology tools (including Streamline and Breezeway) to support coordination across reservations, housekeeping, and maintenance
• Smarter, targeted marketing to increase property visibility, optimizing homeowners’ revenue potential

“There’s a feeling that comes with being first on the lift. The day is fresh, full of possibilities, and a chance to chart your own course,” added Nigam. “That same sense of anticipation and reliability defines our approach: delivering experiences guests remember and homeowners trust every time.”

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 deep experience in hospitality and residential real estate.

To learn more about the brand and its vacation homes, visit www.firstchair.com.

About First Chair Destinations
First Chair Destinations is a hospitality brand offering vacation homes across iconic ski towns. Backed by experienced local teams who live and work in each market, First Chair Destinations consistently delivers seamless stays for guests and cultivates homeowner partnerships founded on transparency and exceptional property stewardship. First Chair will continue to market through Casago.com and Vacasa.com as a Casago licensee. For more information, visit www.firstchair.com and follow on LinkedIn.