SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Aug. 1, 2023—Voting is now open for the third annual Rise Up Challenge, a video contest highlighting a few skilled young lift mechanics who will no doubt keep chairs spinning at resorts for decades to come. This year, six resorts were chosen to submit a video, each featuring an up-and-coming mechanic from its lift maintenance team:

Arapahoe Basin, Colo.—Meg Kane

Deer Valley, Utah—Kyler Matthews

Killington Resort, Vt.—Tait Lineham

Mansfield Ski Club, Ont.—Gabrielle Ralphs 

Mt. Hood Meadows, Ore.—Julie Zaremskiy 

Powder Ridge, Minn.—Ryan Anderson

The home resort of the video that receives the most votes by midnight Aug. 10, 2023, will receive a $3,500 educational grant, courtesy of Leitner-Poma of America, to help support this next generation of lift maintenance professionals. 

“We’re excited to see the remarkable display of skill and dedication from the candidates in this year’s Rise Up Challenge,” said Daren Cole, president of Leitner-Poma of America. "This competition not only showcases the hard-work of up-and-coming lift mechanics but also the commitment of seasoned professionals who are sharing their skill and knowledge with the next generation. We are proud to support the industry in celebrating the next generation of lift maintenance leaders and look forward to working with them to keep our ski resorts and mountain lifestyle in motion.”

“Lift mechanics are a driving force behind ski area safety and well-functioning lifts, a key component of operations,” said SAM Magazine publisher Olivia Rowan. “We are proud to partner with Leitner-Poma of America to shine a light on this critical role and support growth and retention with this $3,500 educational grant. It will go a long way toward helping these men and women continue to rise up in their careers.”

To watch the Rise Up Challenge videos—and more importantly, to vote—visit www.saminfo.com/riseup. Again, voting is open through midnight on Aug. 10, 2023. Individuals are eligible to vote once per day.