January 2024

FEATURED STORY

Another Big Year, Even Bigger Lifts

North American ski areas installed 57 new ropeways in 2023, including some of the biggest lifts ever built on the continent, as manufacturers balanced strong demand with construction capacity. One year ago, the marquee lift story was Vail Resorts’ Epic Lift Upgrade, a scramble to build 18 new lifts across 12 mountains in one summer, part of a banner construction year across the industry. This year the pendulum swung as Alterra Mountain Company and Boyne Resorts became the largest customers for new lifts, and several independent operators installed a variety of new ropeways, from fancy eight-passenger chairs to utilitarian fixed-grip triples. While the overall number of projects ...

Read More

Thanks for your interest in reading SAM Magazine. We hope you enjoy the select articles from this issue available in their entirety here. If you'd like to read the rest, we can make that happen. Subscribe to SAM before January 30th to receive your issue, and future issues of SAM. Email jack@saminfo.com with questions.

Peter Oliver January 2024

Rental

Rental Buyer's Guide 2024-2025

Rental equipment has never been better as manufacturers continue to focus on improving the experience for both rental techs and end users.

Rick Kahl January 2024

leadership

How To Be A Boss

Industry up-and-comers express relatable challenges, and mentors share lessons, advice, and actionable solutions.

Bob Curley January 2024

Capital Ideas for Summer

Experts dish on how to survive (and thrive during) summer construction projects.

Beech Mountain, N.C., had reusable food storage bags made to promote its trash reduction campaign.

Troy Hawks January 2024

Taking a Stance

More ski areas are addressing big social and environmental issues to distinguish their brand identity and built community.

Removing the massive amount of material that flowed into the base area at Lee Canyon, Nev., in the wake of Tropical Storm Hilary.

Josh Laskin January 2024

Running Water

More frequest and intense rain events increase the importance of stormwater management.

Tom Foley January 2024

Questions of Balance

A new assessment process aims to help mountain communities rebalance following pandemic-driven disruption.

Office with a view for crewmembers installing the new Doppelmayr six-pack chairlift at Sun Valley, Idaho, which is the second biggest lift ever in the U.S. by VTFH (8,159).

Peter Landsman January 2024

Lifts

Another Big Year, Even Bigger Lifts

North American ski areas installed 57 new ropeways in 2023, including some of the biggest lifts ever built on the continent, as manufacturers balanced strong demand with construction capacity.