SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Aug. 28, 2024—The 2024 Rise Up Challenge, sponsored by Leitner-Poma of America, highlighted up-and-coming lift mechanics and their lift maintenance teams from six ski areas across North America: Berkshire East, Mass.; Crystal Mountain, Wash.; Mount Sunapee, N.H.; Palisades Tahoe, Calif.; Purgatory, Colo.; and Snowbird, Utah. Each resort produced a behind-the-scenes video featuring their rising-star lift mechanic, and the videos were posted to SAM’s website and social media channels for people to watch and then vote for their favorite.

Crystal Mountain’s Chase Clark won with 830 votes of the 3,832 total votes that were cast. 

As always, the winner will receive a $3,500 education grant furnished by Leitner-Poma of America—but the company is also rewarding the efforts of the five other lift mechanics and their teams this year with a $1,500 grant for the runner-up, and $500 grants for the four other participating teams."Congratulations to all of the participants and to Chase for a well-deserved win,” said Leitner-Poma of America president and CEO Daren Cole. “The Rise Up Challenge is more than just a competition—it’s a showcase of the incredible skill, dedication, and innovation driving the future of our industry. As always, we had an outstanding field of entrants who across the board exemplify the high standard that inspires us all."

SAM publisher Olivia Rowan added, “It cannot be overstated how important our industry’s lift mechanics are to the overall success and safety of North America’s ski areas. I hope the videos, which have more than 20,000 views, help viewers understand this and provide a unique perspective of the work these folks do.

“We can’t thank LPOA enough for supporting this terrific recognition now in its fourth year,” she continued. “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.” 

Watch all six videos here: https://www.saminfo.com/contest-awards/rise-up-challenge