The 11 Best American-Made Ski Companies New tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have sent shockwaves through the ski industry, driving up the cost of imported gear and disrupting long-established supply chains. As European and Asian-made skis become more expensive, buying from American ski companies is no longer just about patriotism—it’s a smart response to a shifting trade landscape. For skiers and retailers alike, supporting U.S. […] Gear SnowBrains | June 5, 2025 21 Comments
The 7 Most Iconic Ski Runs on the East Coast The East Coast, or, the ‘Ice Coast’, as some may say it, is widely regarded as having some of the most icy and variable conditions in North America. Due to this, challenging runs on the East Coast are often overlooked. This article should change that, however, as it is a list of all of the most challenging and iconic ski runs […] Industry News Jake Benton | June 5, 2025 5 Comments
Internet Debate Resolved: How to Properly Buckle Your Ski Boots Your ski boots are arguably the most important piece of gear you own. An ill-fitting boot can make your ski day miserable. That is why it is often recommended that you should get custom-fitted boots if you plan to spend any significant time on the slopes. This ensures the fit will allow you maximum performance from your skis without losing […] Brains Brent Thomas | June 5, 2025 3 Comments
Hometown Mountain Shoutout: Catamount Mountain Resort, NY—Carving Memories I have such fond memories of winter mornings waking up before dawn and getting on the road to Catamount Mountain Resort in Upstate New York. The night before each trip, it was hard for me to sleep. I imagined the runs that awaited me, twisting and turning along the ridge lines. It wasn’t just spending time with my dad. It […] Luke Smith | June 4, 2025 0 Comments
5 Ways to Supercharge Your Skiing and Snowboarding Experience Are you ready to elevate your riding skills to the next level? Whether you’re a beginner aiming to carve down blue runs with confidence or an advanced skier looking to master double blacks, some specific strategies and actions can dramatically enhance your performance on the slopes. This guide isn’t your typical nuances of how to tweak your form to improve […] Brains Brent Thomas | June 4, 2025 0 Comments
What are the Best Ski Resorts to Visit by Month? Everyone dreams of chasing the best powder and conditions throughout the season. Unfortunately, jobs, kids, and life can get in the way of making that a reality. However, we all try and make that one big ski trip each season to be where the best snow will be at that specific time. Sometimes, Mother Nature cooperates with the models and […] Industry News Gregg Frantz | June 4, 2025 0 Comments
Top 7 Steepest Chairlifts in the United States Finding the steepest chairlifts in the United States might seem like a straightforward subject to calculate. In actuality, it is much more subjective than one might expect. Some chairlifts have extremely steep sections going over gorges and ravines, making it easy to think that they could be a top contender. However, more mellow and extended flat areas, which may go […] Brains Joseph Kaufmann | June 3, 2025 2 Comments
Top 5 Biggest Mistakes to Make as a Beginner Skier or Snowboarder Learning how to ski and snowboard can be a wonderful but challenging experience. Ski or snowboard boots might feel uncomfortable, and being on skis or snowboard for the first time can be downright scary. You will be introduced to a new world once you get past the fear and insecurity of learning the sport. As a beginner, you can have […] Brains Leander Walchshöfer | June 2, 2025 0 Comments
11 Top Ski Brands and Their Equivalent Automobile Brand Skis can feel a lot like cars, where some brands are built for speed and precision, others for comfort and versatility, and a few are just plain flashy. If you’ve ever wondered what your favorite ski brand would be if it were a car company or what it says about you, you’re not alone. Whether you’re a weekend cruiser or […] Laughs Brent Thomas | June 2, 2025 0 Comments
The Top 5 Resorts for Snowboarders in North America, According to the Pros What’s the most important aspect of a ski resort for snowboarders to consider? The first thing to consider would probably be ‘am I allowed to snowboard here?’, as three resorts in the US still don’t welcome snowboarders. Is it the terrain parks? The amount of flat terrain? Or is it as simple as the amount of snow a resort gets? Related: […] Industry News SnowBrains | June 2, 2025 3 Comments
How Chris Benchetler Turns Skiing into Art The dozens of canvases cluttered in Chris Benchetler’s art studio at his Mammoth Lakes home give an impression as if you had just walked inside a small temple where the walls were melting, oozing every possible mixture of color imaginable. The canvases are all sorts of different shapes and sizes; some are hanging up on the wall, tilted or upside […] Martin Kuprianowicz | May 29, 2025 1 Comment
Hometown Mountain Shoutout: Sugarbush Resort, VT, Where Memories Last a Lifetime During ski season, my weekday morning routine goes as follows: wake up, get out of bed, check the Sugarbush, Vermont, snow report, read it to my Dad, and then get ready for the school day. Oddly, my 6:30 a.m. alarm feels earlier than the 4:15 a.m. race-day wake-up. During winter, my motto is: ski first, school later. Schoolwork will always […] Sam Fishman | May 28, 2025 0 Comments
Hometown Mountain Shoutout: Mont Sainte Anne, QC—The Best Night Skiing in North America My family has been skiing at Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec, since the early 1970s, and it has become our second home ever since. Located just 40 minutes up the St. Lawrence River from Quebec City, Mont Sainte Anne sits perched on the eastern wall of the Laurentian Mountains. With a peak altitude of 2,625 feet (800 meters), and a 360 […] Brett Currie | May 28, 2025 0 Comments
The Joy of Skiing & Snowboarding with Your Kids For many of us, our passion for skiing and snowboarding began at an early age. Maybe it was when we were a young kid or picked it up in High School or college. Either way, if you have kids or plan to have them, it can dramatically change how you experience and enjoy the mountains. And I’m here to say that […] Brains Brent Thomas | May 26, 2025 0 Comments
The 9 Most Dangerous Ski Slopes in the World There is a whole lot about skiing that causes it to be considered a dangerous sport. People ski on crazy terrain, in less than ideal conditions, and most tend to be doing this at high speeds. Although many people think skiing and riding is a little too extreme, most of us who do it know it is worth all the risk. […] Taliana Potts | May 26, 2025 39 Comments
Should Chairlift Safety Bars be a Legal Requirement in the United States? For the last several decades, there has been an ongoing debate across the United States on whether safety bars and lowering them should be a legal requirement on chairlifts. The 2024-25 season saw several incidents make national headlines, involving various resorts across the United States. While some of these incidents were due to a mechanical issue, some of these incidents […] Brains Quinn Brophy | May 21, 2025 0 Comments
Fact, Fiction, or Folklore? A Look at the Obscure and Mysterious History of the Phrase “Send It!” A Brief History Goofy terms and oddball slang have become popularized in skiing over the recent years, but perhaps none more so than the phrase, “Send it.” It’s almost routine to hear it shouted out now at the resorts, especially on big powder days. Hooting and hollering as you, your friends, and perhaps your yet-to-be introduced friends, encourage each other […] Brains Ryan Kime | May 20, 2025 2 Comments
History With SnowBrains: The First Ski Lift in the World The first ski lift in the world was created over 100 years ago by a German hotel owner in the village of Schollach in the Black Forest region of Germany. Robert Winterhalde, manager of the “Schneckenhof”, wanted to make it easier for hotel guests to access the local hill and created the world’s first ski lift, which started operation on February 14, […] Brains Julia Schneemann | May 19, 2025 1 Comment
The Benefits of Yoga and Pilates for Skiers and Snowboarders For skiers and snowboarders, incorporating dryland training both mid-season and off-season is crucial to your success on the slopes. The sport requires a unique combination of strength, mobility, balance, and core stability. When it comes to exercises typically geared toward skiers and snowboarders, many people think of those that develop leg strength and power, such as squats, lunges, deadlifts, and […] Brains Brent Thomas | May 15, 2025 0 Comments
Top 5 End-of-Season Spring Skiing Traditions As ski resorts begin to close, it’s a great time to look back and reflect on the past winter. The ups and downs. The chairlift-chats and gut-busting laughter with friends, both old and new. The long days filled with powder and après. But just because the snow is winding down, doesn’t mean the fun has to, too. If there is […] John Cunningham | May 14, 2025 0 Comments