SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., May 22, 2025—The crews from Bogus Basin, Idaho; Burke Mountain, Vt.; Crotched Mountain, N.H.; Giants Ridge, Minn.; Marmot Basin, A.B.; and Mission Ridge, Wash., have been chosen as finalists in the fifth annual Rise Up Challenge, sponsored by Leitner-Poma of America (LPOA), to compete for an education grant valued at $3,500 from LPOA.  

Resorts across North America nominated a rising star on their lift maintenance team this spring to participate in the 2025 Rise Up Challenge. The six chosen resorts will now create videos showcasing the up-and-coming talent on their lift maintenance crews, alongside mentors and teammates. The videos will be shared mid-summer, and online voting will decide who walks away with the education grant and title of 2025 Rise Up Champion.

“At Leitner-Poma of America we are committed to the mission of the Rise Up Challenge,” said LPOA president and CEO Daren Cole. “Our industry rides on the back of the committed and professional men and women of lift maintenance. They keep people moving around the mountain, and more importantly they keep people safe. It is vital to support their continued training and education and that is exactly what the Rise Up Challenge delivers.”

“The importance of recognizing lift maintenance professionals and the work they do cannot be overstated,” said SAM publisher Olivia Rowan. “The Rise Up Challenge is more than a contest with a big prize for the winner—it’s a showcase of people, their personalities, and their work. All these elements combined make this a very special thing for SAM and Leitner-Poma to be a part of.”

SAM will share the contestant videos and voting will open mid-summer. A winner will be announced in August. Keep up with the challenge at saminfo.com/riseup.