Uphill transportation, and providing access to it, are defining characteristics of a ski area. A lot goes into that—from maintenance and upgrades to customer service and safety. Lift crews do it all with the support of the broader mountain operations team and suppliers like Doppelmayr, Leitner-Poma of America, Skytrac, SunKid, Magic Carpet, or others. Here in the "Lift Operations" Mountain Department, you'll find articles about lift maintenance, construction, team-building, and more. Plus, find job openings, inspiring videos, and educational opportunities to further your career. 

View all lift-related articles.

 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.

Congratulations to this year's winner, Chase Clark from Crystal Mountain, Wash.

 “Congratulations to Chase Clark of Crystal Mountain and the other five resorts for creating such entertaining and informative videos. The Rise Up Challenge is a big part of our various recognitions of our industry’s next generation of leaders,” said SAM's Olivia Rowan. 

Read the Headline News announcement here. 

 

 

 

 

 

WATCH ALL SIX VIDEOS! 

 

CAPACITY MANAGEMENT SERIES: LIFT CONSIDERATIONS

In this installment we will take a look at how to measure your real-world uphill capacity at the lifts.  We will also highlight a few considerations for you to keep in mind when it comes to lift queuing and wait times depending on what your state’s capacity restrictions might be.

View all four videos in the capacity management series from Snow Operating.

PODSAM

• Struggling with staffing, motivating your team, or maintaining a positive outlook? Listen to our "Moving Mountain Operations Forward" Huddle on PodSAM, where we discuss burnout, staffing, and so much more. Organizational development expert Paul Thallner also chimes in with tips for managers to help keep their staff (and themselves) focused, happy, and productive. Check out all of our Huddle podcasts at saminfo.com/podSAM. 

NEWS

• SAM Headline News

  Voting Opens for 2024 Rise Up Challenge

  SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Aug. 5, 2024—Voting is now open for the fourth annual Rise Up Challenge, a video contest highlighting a handful of skilled young lift mechanics who will keep chairs spinning at resorts for decades to come. This year, six resorts were chosen to submit a video, each SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Aug. 5, 2024—Voting is now open for the fourth annual Rise Up Challenge, a video contest highlighting a handful of...

• SAM Headline News

  PSAA Lift Maintenance Seminar Series Kicks Off at Seven Springs

  SAM Magazine—Seven Springs, Pa., July 2, 2024—Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association (PSAA) held its biannual lift maintenance seminar at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Pa., June 25-26, 2024.  Attendance from Pennsylvania ski areas is near 100 percent for the program, which stresses hands-on tra SAM Magazine—Seven Springs, Pa., July 2, 2024—Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association (PSAA) held its biannual lift maintenance seminar at Seven Springs...

• SAM Headline News

  Doppelmayr USA to Double Size of Utah Headquarters

  SAM Magazine—Salt Lake City, Utah, July 2, 2024—Doppelmayr USA will expand its Salt Lake City headquarters with the addition of a new facility that will nearly double the size of its existing building, allowing Doppelmayr USA to take a larger role in manufacturing and accommodate a growing workf SAM Magazine—Salt Lake City, Utah, July 2, 2024—Doppelmayr USA will expand its Salt Lake City headquarters with the addition of a new facility that...

• SAM Headline News

  MND Opens New Production Site in Savoie, France

  SAM Magazine—Savoie, France, July 2, 2024—French industrial group MND opened a new cable transport production and assembly facility in Savoie, France. The facility cost 10 million euros (roughly $10.5 million) and is dedicated specifically to production of the group’s new Orizon range of gondo SAM Magazine—Savoie, France, July 2, 2024—French industrial group MND opened a new cable transport production and assembly facility in Savoie,...

• SAM Headline News

  LMOE Draws Record Attendance, Adds Vehicle Maintenance

  SAM Magazine—South Lake Tahoe, Calif., June 27, 2024—The 2024 Ski California Lift Maintenance and Operations Education (LMOE) conference set a record for attendance, with 368 ski industry professionals descending upon South Lake Tahoe, June 4-6, for education, training, and networking. The ev SAM Magazine—South Lake Tahoe, Calif., June 27, 2024—The 2024 Ski California Lift Maintenance and Operations Education (LMOE) conference set a...