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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.
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January 2026Rope 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 at Hyland Hills, just outside Minneapolis. The sun had just dipped below the horizon, but in true Midwestern fashion, my night of skiing under the lights Speed, culture, and economics are pushing resorts to reconsider the most old-school lift on the...
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
Supplier News Roundup
SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., April 16, 2025—SAM’s Supplier News roundup delivers a quick look at the latest business moves shaping the mountain resort industry. From mergers and acquisitions to new services, partnerships, and product expansions, this snapshot keeps operators up to speed on the SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., April 16, 2025—SAM’s Supplier News roundup delivers a quick look at the latest business moves shaping the mountain...
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SAM Headline News
Mont-Sainte-Anne Details Lift Replacements, Other Improvements
SAM Magazine—Beaupré, Québec, March 31, 2026—Rendering of the new gondola cabins. Credit: Doppelmayr.Mont-Sainte-Anne has ordered three new lifts to replace four existing lifts as part of a CA$100 million investment plan that operator Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) is undertaking in par SAM Magazine—Beaupré, Québec, March 31, 2026—Rendering of the new gondola cabins. Credit: Doppelmayr.Mont-Sainte-Anne has ordered three new lifts to...
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SAM Headline News
Little Switzerland to Invest $4 Million on Two New Chairlifts
SAM Magazine—Slinger Wis., Feb. 16, 2026—Little Switzerland Ski Area will install two new Skytrac quad chairlifts this summer to replace the ski area’s Lift 1 and Lift 2, a unique “up and over” double chairlift that loads from both the base area and backside of the ski area and transports SAM Magazine—Slinger Wis., Feb. 16, 2026—Little Switzerland Ski Area will install two new Skytrac quad chairlifts this summer to replace the ski...
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SAM Headline News
Powderhorn Launches Limited Three-Year Pass Tied to 60th Anniversary, Lift Investment
SAM Magazine—Mesa, Colo., Feb. 11, 2026—Rendering of the new Wild West Express lift.As it approaches its 60th anniversary season, Powderhorn Mountain Resort is introducing a limited three-year season pass, positioning it as both a loyalty offering and commitment to affordability amid a major cap SAM Magazine—Mesa, Colo., Feb. 11, 2026—Rendering of the new Wild West Express lift.As it approaches its 60th anniversary season, Powderhorn...
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SAM Headline News
Powderhorn to Install Refurbished Detachable Quad for 2026-27
SAM Magazine—Mesa, Colo., Sept. 25, 2025—Subject to approval of the U.S. Forest Service, Powderhorn Mountain Resort will replace the 1972 West End double chairlift with a high-speed detachable quad lift in the summer of 2026.The upper terminal for the planned West End Express will be lower than SAM Magazine—Mesa, Colo., Sept. 25, 2025—Subject to approval of the U.S. Forest Service, Powderhorn Mountain Resort will replace the 1972 West End...
- 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.
