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Avatar photoBrent Thomas

Skier, mountain biker, fitness enthusiast, native Oregonian, and SnowBrains staff writer. Father to three and husband to one.

The 9 Best North American Ski Areas to Visit in the Summer

hiking

While many of us visit ski resorts in the wintertime for skiing, snowboarding, and other snowy escapades, many of North America’s premier ski destinations transform into vibrant hubs of activity during the summer months. As the snow melts, these mountainous regions reveal ideal playgrounds that offer endless outdoor pursuits, from hiking and mountain biking to zip-lining and scenic gondola rides. […]

Avatar photo Brent Thomas | July 12, 2025
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Top 5 U.S. States for Extreme Bucket List Adventures

If you live for adrenaline, love pushing your limits, or want to check some wild experiences off your bucket list, the U.S. has no shortage of epic places to do it. From skydiving over the ocean to rock climbing in desert canyons or paddling through whitewater rapids, each state brings something unique to the adventure table. Related: 17 Not So […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | July 11, 2025
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[FOR SALE] Rare Opportunity to Own a Cat Ski Operation in the Legendary Monashee Mountains of British Columbia

powder air

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own backcountry ski operation in the heart of British Columbia’s snowiest mountains, this might be your shot. Powder Renegade Lodge, a cat skiing operation tucked deep in the Monashee Mountains, is now for sale. With its combination of unmatched terrain, reliable snowfall, and full infrastructure already in place, it’s being billed as a […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | July 9, 2025
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Park City Mountain Resort, UT, Plans to Replace Cabriolet Lift with New Gondola

park city

The Cabriolet lift at Canyons Village, which has been hauling skiers and riders from the lower parking lot to the base area since 2000, may be making its final laps. According to TownLift, Park City Mountain and the Canyons Village Management Association (CVMA) have announced plans to replace the open-air lift with a fully enclosed gondola. The proposed upgrade is […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | July 7, 2025
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Top 9 Most Rewarding Ski-Related Jobs

lift operator

Working in the ski industry isn’t just a job for many—it’s a lifestyle. It’s early mornings, frozen fingers, big laughs, and the kind of fulfillment that’s hard to find behind a desk. The work can be tough, the pay isn’t always glamorous, and the weather doesn’t care about your comfort. But ask anyone who’s spent a season—or a lifetime—in the […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | July 7, 2025
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Is There Such a Thing as ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ Skis?

confused man holding left right skis

If you’ve ever stood at the base of the mountain, skis in hand, wondering whether one goes on the left and the other on the right, you’re not alone. For most skiers and most skis, the answer is simple: it doesn’t matter. Traditional alpine skis are symmetrical, meaning they’re designed to perform the same no matter which foot they’re on. […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | July 5, 2025
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Scientists Uncover the Ideal Conditions Causing Big Champagne Powder® Days at Steamboat, CO: ‘Speedy Snowflakes’

colorado

Scientists at Storm Peak Laboratory in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, analyzed 45 years of snowstorm data to pinpoint what drives Steamboat Resort’s biggest powder days. They conclude that extreme snowfall—those top 5% events—requires a specific atmospheric recipe of cold temperatures, northwest storm tracks, and strong winds. “These are the days everyone remembers,” Gannet Hallar, Ph.D., director of Storm Peak Lab and […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | July 2, 2025
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The 7 Friendliest U.S. Airports for Skiers and Snowboarders

For skiers and snowboarders traveling for a destination ski trip, the journey to the mountain is a necessary yet potentially dreadful part of the expedition. Navigating through airports with bulky gear can be a hassle, making it crucial to have a seamless travel experience. The friendliest airports for skiers and snowboarders understand this and go above and beyond to ensure […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | July 2, 2025
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Oregon’s Legislative Session Ends With No Change to Liability Protections for Ski Areas

Around a million pounds of salt is dumped on Palmer Glacier in the summer

Oregon’s outdoor recreation industry is facing a growing insurance crisis after major insurer Safehold Special Risk announced last month it will no longer provide coverage in the state. Safehold, which insures ski resorts in 37 states, cited Oregon’s legal environment—particularly its weak enforcement of liability waivers—as the reason for its exit. Related: Oregon’s Ski Resorts at Risk as Key Insurer […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | July 2, 2025
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A Closer Look Behind the Innovative Backfill Technology That Powered the Teton Pass, WY, Road Repair After a Devastating Landslide

wyoming

When a massive landslide took out a section of Wyoming Highway 22 on June 8, 2024, it didn’t just damage pavement—it cut off a lifeline. Known as the Teton Pass “Big Fill Slide,” the collapse destroyed a key stretch of road that connects eastern Idaho’s Teton Valley with Jackson Hole, Wyoming—a world-class destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The sudden failure, triggered by extreme weather […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | July 1, 2025
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Did You Know There Used to Be an Unconventional Ski Area in the Suburbs of Atlanta, GA?

For a few years in the late 1970s, Atlanta, Georgia, offered an unexpected twist for thrill-seekers: the Vinings Ridge Ski Area. Far from the powdery peaks of traditional ski resorts, Vinings Ridge operated on a synthetic surface due to the warm climate, making it a unique, year-round attraction. Related: The 5 Most Unique Ski and Snowboard Towns on The Planet […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | June 30, 2025
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Idaho Supreme Court Overturns Ruling on Ski Death Case, Introduces “Standard of Care” for Resort Actions

Skiing and snowboarding are deeply rooted in Idaho’s culture and economy, with the state’s Ski Area Liability Law historically offering legal clarity on the risks of the sport. The law acknowledges that skiing carries inherent risks, such as collisions with trees or sudden changes in snow conditions, and generally limits a resort’s liability unless clear negligence is proven. Skiers are expected to take […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | June 29, 2025
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“TikTok Made Me Ski There”—Can Viral Content Influence Where We Ride?

TikTok may have started as a hub for lip-syncing and dance trends, but it’s now one of the most influential platforms shaping how people choose where to travel. A new study analyzing data from January 2023 to March 2025 shows just how far that influence has spread and how much it’s changing the way travelers, especially younger ones, explore the […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | June 25, 2025
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Top 11 States for Outdoor Lovers

hike mountain sun outdoors

If you live for fresh air, scenic trails, and weekends that start with a backpack or a pair of skis, the U.S. has no shortage of states where the outdoors is more than just a backdrop but a way of life. From alpine peaks to desert canyons, rolling forests to rugged coastlines, some states stand out for their access to […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | June 25, 2025
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17 Not So Obvious Bucket List Experiences for Skiers and Snowboarders in the U.S.

Most skiers and riders have a mental list of the usual bucket list items, such as visiting specific resorts or finally going heli-skiing. However, the mountains are full of lesser-known gems that only locals may know about, which can be just as memorable. From riding special lifts, conquering challenging runs, or basking in unique moments, the not-so-obvious experiences often turn […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | June 20, 2025
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Utah Man “Racer Tom” Surpasses 11.4 Million Vertical Feet Skied for the Season, Breaking His Own World Record

racer-tom-11-million

The last time we checked in with Thomas Hart, aka “Racer Tom,” was two months ago when he was on the cusp of breaking his own world record for vertical feet skied in a season. This was from the 2023-24 season when he logged 8,513,340 vertical feet. He also predicted that he would go over 10 million by the end […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | June 19, 2025
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Teton Pass, WY, to Close for 60 Hours Later This Month to Repair Damage from Catastrophic Landslide

wyoming

Updated June 19, 2025 at 7:14 a.m. PT In early June 2024, a catastrophic landslide caused a massive section of Teton Pass Road (Wyoming Highway 22) to collapse near milepost 12.8, severing a vital commuter route between eastern Idaho and Jackson, Wyoming. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) had been monitoring deep cracks that first appeared days earlier, but overnight, the […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | June 19, 2025
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Oregon’s Ski Resorts at Risk as Key Insurer Exits Over Liability Laws

A growing insurance crisis is threatening the future of Oregon’s outdoor recreation industry, with ski resorts sounding the alarm after a major insurer announced it is pulling out of the state. Safehold Special Risk, which has provided coverage for iconic destinations like Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline Lodge, is ending its business in Oregon, citing the state’s unfavorable legal environment […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | June 19, 2025
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Petition in Place to Honor Late Professional Rider Joel Alamo with Trail Naming at Trestle Bike Park, CO

The mountain biking community is coming together to honor the life and legacy of Joel Alamo—a celebrated BMX and mountain biker whose influence extended far beyond the trail. Known not only for his skill and speed, Alamo was also widely regarded as a source of positivity, humor, and support within the biking world. Now, almost 250 people have signed a […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | June 18, 2025
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“I’m a Skier So I Hate Warm Weather”—Can You Suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Summer?

ski lift

We are well into June and the summer solstice is right around the corner, signaling the start of the warm season. It is usually around this time of year that I feel the doldrums of summer set in—and summer has only just begun. I likely feel this way because ski season has long ended, there are no good sports to […]

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Avatar photo Brent Thomas | June 18, 2025
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