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January 2026
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Back 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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In This Issue
In this Issue
FEATURED STORY
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Back 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, still up from the early Covid years of 2020 and 2021 but down significantly from the post-Covid boom of the past three years. Installed vertical transport feet per hour (VTFH) declined 16 percent year-over-year, falling most in the Western United States and Canada. The number of Midwest installations was flat, and the East built three more lifts in 2025 than in 2024. This season’s new lifts t...
Here’s an easy question: Which sport enjoys the biggest boost in interest during and immediately following the Winter Olympics? Answer: Curling. An analysis by polling site FiveThirtyEight found that curling’s Google search-index spiked nearly 81 points on a scale of 0-100 during the Olympic months (80.68) compared to non-Olympic months (...
Resorts are embracing emotion-driven marketing, inspiring guests via video, social posts, and unique mountain activities.
Menus work best when treated as a strategic communication tool, not an afterthought.
How an employee-led safety committee at Holiday Valley has made measurable impacts on culture and the bottom line.
Speed, culture, and economics are pushing resorts to reconsider the most old-school lift on the mountain.
As enrollment dips, SAM degree and certificate programs are modernizing curriculum and evolving in step with the industry to keep the talent pipeline alive.
An all Canada edition with a custom Panther mixer; hands-free water stations; and a downspout boot dryer.
Is it up to the independents to determine the future health of skiing?
An expert look at what summer travelers want and what’s working at mountain destinations worldwide.
Rental departments generate a lot of data. Here’s how three ski areas stay on top of it all.
Mountain communities are facing climate impacts on multiple fronts, and ski areas are responding with climate strategies that scale outward.
A look at the realities and joys of loving someone married to the mountain.
The Spy reopens the case files to celebrate 20 years of undercover calls.
Tariffs and inflation were among the primary causes for a dip in North American lift installations.
The rental market for alpine and snowboard gear continues to evolve, in response to shifts in demand and the overall market as well as technology advances. The result: rental buyers have a wealth of product to consider as they stock up to serve a changing marketplace. The market for 2026-27 rental gear will be interesting, for at least a couple of...
