Uphill transportation, and providing access to it, are defining characteristics of a ski area. A lot goes into that—from maintenance and upgrades to customer service and safety. Lift crews do it all with the support of the broader mountain operations team and suppliers like Doppelmayr, Leitner-Poma of America, Skytrac, SunKid, Magic Carpet, or others. Here in the "Lift Operations" Mountain Department, you'll find articles about lift maintenance, construction, team-building, and more. Plus, find job openings, inspiring videos, and educational opportunities to further your career.
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January 2025Cooling 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 years of new lift installations at North American ski areas, 2024 was comparatively slower, yet historically strong with 47 new aerial lifts Despite fewer lifts being built, it was still a busy construction season as ski areas continue to...
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November 2024Construction 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 des ski du Québec (CMSQ), owned by e-Liberty, a Swiss online ski pass retailer, purchased Mont Grand-Fonds in September 2023. Soon after, New lifts and snowmaking upgrades at ski areas big and small, for-profit and nonprofit, across...
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September 2024Construction 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 two years into rebuilding Holiday Mountain, which faced closure when he purchased the property in May 2023. Last summer, he focused on immediate needs suc New lifts, terrain, snowmaking, and lodges will breathe new life into a number of ski areas this...
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July 2024Construction Site :: July 2024
Across North America, a variety of impactful—and, in several cases, difficult—projects got underway before the start of summer. SKI SUNDOWN, CT Ski Sundown began construction of its first new chairlift in 37 years in mid-April. Owner Bob Switzgable chose a fixed-grip quad from Skytrac to re Across North America, a variety of impactful—and, in several cases, difficult—projects got...
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July 2024Heavy Lifting
Insights about operating lifts year-round. For many resorts, adding spring, summer, or fall operations means running lifts thousands of additional hours per year. A Memorial Day to October sightseeing operation can be longer than ski season, adding wear to lifts and reducing maintenance windows. T Insights about operating lifts year-round.
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.
To enter, nominate an up-and-comer in your lift department who exemplifies a passion for a career in lift maintenance. Six resorts will be chosen to create a video highlighting the strengths and potential of an up-and-coming lift mechanic and their team. Viewers will be able to watch all six videos this summer and vote for their favorite. The mechanic and crew with the most votes will win an education grant valued at $3,500, courtesy of Leitner-Poma of America.
Participants will be announced in early May.
https://www.saminfo.com/contest-awards/rise-up-challenge
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.
PODSAM
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Struggling with staffing, motivating your team, or maintaining a positive outlook? Listen to our "Moving Mountain Operations Forward" Huddle on PodSAM, where we discuss burnout, staffing, and so much more. Organizational development expert Paul Thallner also chimes in with tips for managers to help keep their staff (and themselves) focused, happy, and productive. Check out all of our Huddle podcasts at saminfo.com/podSAM.
NEWS
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SAM Headline News
Voting Opens for 2024 Rise Up Challenge
SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Aug. 5, 2024—Voting is now open for the fourth annual Rise Up Challenge, a video contest highlighting a handful of skilled young lift mechanics who will keep chairs spinning at resorts for decades to come. This year, six resorts were chosen to submit a video, each SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Aug. 5, 2024—Voting is now open for the fourth annual Rise Up Challenge, a video contest highlighting a handful of...
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SAM Headline News
PSAA Lift Maintenance Seminar Series Kicks Off at Seven Springs
SAM Magazine—Seven Springs, Pa., July 2, 2024—Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association (PSAA) held its biannual lift maintenance seminar at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Pa., June 25-26, 2024. Attendance from Pennsylvania ski areas is near 100 percent for the program, which stresses hands-on tra SAM Magazine—Seven Springs, Pa., July 2, 2024—Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association (PSAA) held its biannual lift maintenance seminar at Seven Springs...
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SAM Headline News
Doppelmayr USA to Double Size of Utah Headquarters
SAM Magazine—Salt Lake City, Utah, July 2, 2024—Doppelmayr USA will expand its Salt Lake City headquarters with the addition of a new facility that will nearly double the size of its existing building, allowing Doppelmayr USA to take a larger role in manufacturing and accommodate a growing workf SAM Magazine—Salt Lake City, Utah, July 2, 2024—Doppelmayr USA will expand its Salt Lake City headquarters with the addition of a new facility that...
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SAM Headline News
MND Opens New Production Site in Savoie, France
SAM Magazine—Savoie, France, July 2, 2024—French industrial group MND opened a new cable transport production and assembly facility in Savoie, France. The facility cost 10 million euros (roughly $10.5 million) and is dedicated specifically to production of the group’s new Orizon range of gondo SAM Magazine—Savoie, France, July 2, 2024—French industrial group MND opened a new cable transport production and assembly facility in Savoie,...
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SAM Headline News
LMOE Draws Record Attendance, Adds Vehicle Maintenance
SAM Magazine—South Lake Tahoe, Calif., June 27, 2024—The 2024 Ski California Lift Maintenance and Operations Education (LMOE) conference set a record for attendance, with 368 ski industry professionals descending upon South Lake Tahoe, June 4-6, for education, training, and networking. The ev SAM Magazine—South Lake Tahoe, Calif., June 27, 2024—The 2024 Ski California Lift Maintenance and Operations Education (LMOE) conference set a...
- Look for jobs in lift operations and maintenance at resorts, suppliers, and other related businesses around the world. saminfo.com/liftjobs
