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 by Leitner-Poma of America (LPOA), to compete for an education grant valued at $3,500 from LPOA.  

Ski areas across North America nominated a rising star on their lift maintenance team this spring to participate in the 2026 Rise Up Challenge. The six chosen ski areas 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 2026 Rise Up Champion.

“At Leitner-Poma of America, we are proud to support the of the Rise Up Challenge,” said Daren Cole, president and CEO of Leitner-Poma of America. “Lift maintenance professionals are the backbone of our industry. Their dedication, skill, and attention to safety keep guests moving and mountains operating every day. Investing in their ongoing training and professional development is essential to the future of our industry, and the Rise Up Challenge continues to play an important role in advancing that mission.”

In addition to supporting the education of lift maintenance professionals, the contest also plays an important role in pulling back the curtain on what it takes to keep the ski industry’s uphill transportation infrastructure running, serving as a recognition for all the people doing this critical work at ski areas across North America.   

“At its core, the Rise Up Challenge is all about people,” said SAM publisher Olivia Rowan. “Our industry transports millions of guests uphill every year because there are skilled people maintaining the lifts. I hope the videos that the chosen ski areas create are watched far and wide and they help viewers to develop a greater appreciation for those involved with this critical aspect of mountain operations.” 

“This year’s selections are a great representation of the incredible work our industry partners are doing to enhance mountain infrastructure, strengthen their teams, and continue raising the bar for operational excellence and safety across North America,” added Cole.

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.