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 fourth annual Rise Up Challenge.

Five lift maintenance teams were chosen to participate in the 2025 Rise Up Challenge: Bogus Basin, Idaho, Burke Mountain, Vt., Giants Ridge, Minn., Marmot Basin, A.B., and Mission Ridge, Wash. The five chosen resorts created videos showcasing the rising stars on their lift maintenance crews, alongside mentors and teammates.

Congratulations to this year's Rise Up Challenge winner, Maddie Baldwin from Bogus Basin. Watch her and the other contestant's videos below:  

WATCH ALL FIVE VIDEOS

Bogus Basin, Idaho — Maddie Baldwin

Burke Mountain, Vt. — Elmore Dickstein

Giants Ridge, Minn. — Neale Leete

Marmot Basin, A.B. — Stephanie Janzen

Mission Ridge, Wash. — Carter McGinnis

View all things lifts at our Lift Operations Mountain Department! 

"A resort's lift infrastructure is truly the lifeblood and foundation for all operations and a cornerstone of customer experience and satisfaction. As a supplier, we are committed to helping the industry foster and develop the absolute best technicians possible to support this infrastructure. This program has been long overdue in recognizing the best of the best."

- Daren Cole, President, Leitner-Poma of America

Check out the contestant videos from the previous years: 

2024 Rise Up Challenge

2023 Rise Up Challenge

2022 Rise Up Challenge

2021 Rise Up Challenge.