SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Aug. 20 2026—Josh Storino and the lift maintenance crew at Mount Snow, Vt., were voted the winners of the 2026 Rise Up Challenge. Sponsored by Leitner-Poma of America (LPOA), the challenge highlighted up-and-coming lift mechanics and their lift maintenance teams from six ski areas across North America: Castle Mountain, Alberta; Loveland Ski Area, Colo.; Massanutten Resort, Va.; Mount Snow, Vt.; Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort, N.M.; and Spirit Mountain, Minn.

Each resort produced a behind-the-scenes video featuring a rising-star lift mechanic, and the videos were posted to SAM’s website and social media for readers to watch and then vote for their favorite. A record 6,185 votes were cast in this year’s challenge, with Mount Snow earning the top spot with 2,067 votes.

Storino and Mount Snow will receive a $3,500 education grant furnished by LPOA. The company is also rewarding the efforts of the five other lift mechanics and their teams this year with a $1,500 grant for runner-up Loveland Ski Area and $500 grants for the four other participating resorts. 

“Congratulations to Josh and the team at Mount Snow, and to every team that participated in this year's Rise Up Challenge,” said Daren Cole, president and CEO Leitner-Poma of America. “The record number of votes and video views shows just how much pride our industry has in the people who keep our lifts running safely and reliably. Every entry was outstanding, and we're proud to support a program that recognizes the dedication and professionalism of lift maintenance teams across North America.”

“The Rise Up Challenge is about recognizing the people who keep our industry moving and investing in its next generation,” said SAM publisher Olivia Rowan. “The skill, discipline, and pride these lift mechanics and their teams bring to their work came through in every video, and the record-breaking response from voters shows how much that work resonates across the industry.”

“A huge thank-you to LPOA for its continued support of this important recognition, now in its fifth year,” she added. “Congratulations to Josh and the Mount Snow team, and kudos to all six teams for stepping into the spotlight and sharing their stories.”

Watch all six videos here: https://www.saminfo.com/contest-awards/rise-up-challenge