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July 2026Construction Site :: July 2026
Infrastructure projects large and small got underway across North America this spring. Little Switzerland, WI Little Switzerland is replacing one of Wisconsin’s oldest lifts this summer. The 1964 Riblet quad was an “up-and-over” lift with loading on each end; both directions then unloaded a Infrastructure projects large and small got underway across North America this spring.
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May 2026Murphy’s Law Loves a Holiday Week
When lifts break, teams jump into action—and what happens next deserves the headlines. It was a Saturday afternoon during Christmas week, and Dave Moulton was giving a lift operator a lunch break at the top of Mount Snow’s Grand Summit Express. He was the director of mountain operations, but When lifts break, teams jump into action—and what happens next deserves the headlines.
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May 2026An Age-Old Lift Problem
With each passing year, the need to replace aging lifts across North America becomes more urgent. The ski industry in North America faces a significant challenge: nearly half of its lifts are at least 30 years old. That means resorts must adopt more rigorous maintenance regimens and plan for ev With each passing year, the need to replace aging lifts across North America becomes more urgent.
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March 2026Riding High
New aerial transport systems can reshape the future of mountain towns. Anyone who’s lived in a mountain town knows congestion is an issue. Populations increase exponentially during peak winter periods and busy summers, with visitors and locals forced to sit in traffic jams that would be more “ New aerial transport systems can reshape the future of mountain towns.
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January 2026Back Down to Earth
Tariffs and inflation were among the primary causes for a dip in North American lift installations. Lift construction returned to pre-Covid levels in 2025 as ski areas and manufacturers faced headwinds of continued inflation and new tariffs. North American ski areas installed 37 new aerial lifts, Tariffs and inflation were among the primary causes for a dip in North American lift installations.
View all lift-related articles.
A good lift mechanic is hard to find. Leitner-Poma of America wants to help the industry rise up to the challenge of supporting the next generation of lift mechanics.
A good lift mechanic is hard to find. Leitner-Poma of America wants to help the industry rise up to the challenge of supporting the next generation of lift mechanics, with the sixth annual Rise Up Challenge.
The nomination period has closed. Stay tuned for the announcement of participating resorts.
CAPACITY MANAGEMENT SERIES: LIFT CONSIDERATIONS
In this installment we will take a look at how to measure your real-world uphill capacity at the lifts. We will also highlight a few considerations for you to keep in mind when it comes to lift queuing and wait times depending on what your state’s capacity restrictions might be.
View all four videos in the capacity management series from Snow Operating.
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SAM Headline News
Voting is Open for the 2026 Rise Up Challenge
SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Aug. 4, 2026—The 2026 Rise Up Challenge is underway, and voting is officially open. Now in its sixth year, the video contest shines a spotlight on talented young lift mechanics—rising stars who are essential to the future of mountain operations. This year, six re SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Aug. 4, 2026—The 2026 Rise Up Challenge is underway, and voting is officially open. Now in its sixth year, the video...
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SAM Headline News
Approval for Disputed Park City Lift Improvements Upheld
SAM Magazine—Park City, Utah, July 31, 2026—Lift replacements at Park City Mountain that had been delayed due to opposition by members of the local community were, for now, given the green light by a municipal hearing officer following an appeal of the Park City Planning Commission’s June deci SAM Magazine—Park City, Utah, July 31, 2026—Lift replacements at Park City Mountain that had been delayed due to opposition by members of the local...
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Faces and Places
PORA Holds Lift Maintenance Seminar at Bear Creek
SAM Magazine—Macungie, Pa., July 9, 2026—Attendees at the 2026 PORA Lift Maintenance Seminar, Bear Creek Mountain Resort, June 2026.The Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Association (PORA) hosted its annual Lift Maintenance Seminar on June 30 and July 1 at Bear Creek Mountain Resort. The two-day e SAM Magazine—Macungie, Pa., July 9, 2026—Attendees at the 2026 PORA Lift Maintenance Seminar, Bear Creek Mountain Resort, June 2026.The Pennsylvania Outdoor...
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SAM Headline News
Six Lift Maintenance Teams Selected for 2026 Rise Up Challenge
SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., May 29, 2026—The crews from Castle Mountain, Alberta; Loveland Ski Area, Colo.; Massanutten Resort, Va.; Mount Snow, Vt.; Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort, N.M.; and Spirit Mountain, Minn., have been chosen as finalists in the sixth annual Rise Up Challenge, sponsored b SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., May 29, 2026—The crews from Castle Mountain, Alberta; Loveland Ski Area, Colo.; Massanutten Resort, Va.; Mount Snow,...
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SAM Headline News
Juneau Assembly Scraps Eaglecrest Gondola Project
SAM Magazine—Juneau, Alaska, May 22, 2026—The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted 8-1 Monday night to abandon Eaglecrest Ski Area’s long-planned used gondola installation and repay Goldbelt Incorporated’s $10 million investment in the project, now about $12.2 million with accrued inter SAM Magazine—Juneau, Alaska, May 22, 2026—The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted 8-1 Monday night to abandon Eaglecrest Ski Area’s...
- Look for jobs in lift operations and maintenance at resorts, suppliers, and other related businesses around the world, plus used equipment for sale in SAM's Classifieds.
