SAM Coverage
Lifts & Ropeways
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Rope Tow Renaissance
Speed, culture, and economics are pushing resorts to reconsider the most old-school lift on the mountain. It was a cold December evening in 2020…
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Construction Site :: November 2025
From new (and big) lifts to renovations, terrain expansions, and snowmaking upgrades, these major projects were nearing completion as winter grew closer. Wachusett Mountain, MA Wachusett…
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Wind Hold
Aerial lifts are susceptible to wind, but experience, technology, and teamwork help manage the risks. One of the most confounding realities of the uphill…
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Construction Site :: September 2025
Projects include new lifts, a rebuilt lodge, and a snowmaking upgrade. Lutsen Mountains, MN A fast-moving fire claimed one of Lutsen’s base village…
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Idea Files :: July 2025
A portable mock control panel for training lift operators. CONTROL PANEL TRAINER Monarch Mountain (Colo.) lift operations supervisor Robert Clarkson wanted to make it…
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Construction Site :: July 2025
These ski areas got an early start to their major construction projects. Snowshoe, WV Alterra-owned Snowshoe is replacing its Shavers Center lodge this summer.…
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Cooling Off
Despite fewer lifts being built, it was still a busy construction season as ski areas continue to upgrade their on-mountain transport. After two gangbuster…
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Construction Site :: November 2024
New lifts and snowmaking upgrades at ski areas big and small, for-profit and nonprofit, across North America. Mont Grand-Fonds, QC Compagnie des Montagnes…
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Construction Site :: September 2024
New lifts, terrain, snowmaking, and lodges will breathe new life into a number of ski areas this winter. HOLIDAY MOUNTAIN, NY Mike Taylor is…
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Construction Site :: July 2024
Across North America, a variety of impactful—and, in several cases, difficult—projects got underway before the start of summer. This story is from the SAM…