A new chapter of leadership:
The alpine club welcomes, george bigley, as general manager
MAY 4, 2026
Across Southworth clubs, we believe that exceptional communities are shaped by exceptional people. Leadership is not simply about operations; it’s about cultivating a sense of belonging, elevating the member’s experience, and bringing a long-term vision to life. We are proud to highlight George Bigley’s appointment as General Manager of The Alpine Club, our newest private club community.
A Vision Rooted in Experience and Community
George steps into his role with a clear and compelling focus: building and shaping the member experience from the ground up. His leadership reflects a deep understanding of what defines a modern private club, one that prioritizes connection, authenticity, and meaningful engagement.
This philosophy closely aligns with The Southworth Way, our commitment to reimagining the private club experience through inclusive, welcoming environments where members feel truly at home and free to be themselves.
At The Alpine Club, this vision translates into creating a vibrant, family-focused community where members can build lasting relationships, enjoy elevated amenities, and experience a lifestyle defined by both comfort and connection.
A Natural Leader and Natural Fit
George brings decades of experience in private club and hospitality leadership, most recently serving as General Manager of Willowbend on Cape Cod. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in strengthening one of Southworth’s flagship communities while mentoring the next generation of leaders. But this next chapter is about more than experience—it’s about timing, alignment, and coming home.
For George, this appointment to The Alpine Club is deeply personal. Telluride has shaped both his career and his life in lasting ways. It’s where he met his wife, Cathy, and where their daughter, Bella, was born.
“Telluride holds a special place in my heart — it’s where I met my wife, Cathy, and where our daughter, Bella, was born. This is a full-circle moment that I couldn’t have dreamed up.”
— George Bigley
After years of leading Willowbend, the opportunity to return to a place that has always meant so much to him feels less like coincidence and more like the kind of rare alignment that defines meaningful moments—for both George and Southworth.
His career also includes nearly a decade in Telluride, where he opened Allred’s Restaurant and later served as Executive Director of Food & Beverage at Telluride Ski & Golf, helping to launch the renowned Alpino Vino. He later brought his talents to Vail, where he opened The 10th, an acclaimed on-mountain fine dining restaurant, before being appointed Senior Director of Vail’s Signature Clubs portfolio. In that role, he provided operational leadership and strategic oversight for an impressive collection of private clubs, including Vail Mountain Club, Game Creek Club, The Arrabelle Club, Passport Club, Beaver Creek Club, Bachelor Gulch Club, Arrowhead Alpine Club, and Red Sky Golf Club.
Establishing the Standard of Member Experience
This blend of operational leadership and ground-up development uniquely positions George to lead The Alpine Club from its earliest stages. With a “clean slate,” his focus is on building culture and emphasizing quality and the importance of the smallest details—guided by a people-first approach where every interaction reflects the club’s values—while creating an atmosphere that is luxurious yet approachable. As he describes it, the goal is to be “buttoned up, yet untucked”, where service is thoughtful, and members feel comfortable and at ease.
At the heart of his vision is a commitment to ensuring the member experience from the outset. From dining and wellness offerings to year-round recreational programming, each element of The Alpine Club is being thoughtfully developed to support a dynamic, multi-generational, year-round lifestyle.
