Industry News
Most people have dreams or goals they want to accomplish in their lives, whether it be daily, weekly, or yearly. Some may be financial, health-related, or job-related goals, and some may just be personal. It is always a great story when we see someone pursuing their dreams and goals and not just discussing them. Noah Dines is one of those people who set the goal last year to break the record for the most human-powered vertical feet skied in a year.
On October 24, 2024, Vermont-based athlete Dines accomplished his goal and set a new benchmark for the most self-powered vertical feet skied in a calendar year. He crested over 3 million vertical feet (914,400 meters) while skinning at Corralco Ski Resort on Volcano Lonquimay in Chile. Dines traveled across the United States, to France, Austria, and eventually to Chile to finish his historic year in his hometown of Stowe, Vermont.
Dines’ new landmark comes only seven weeks after he broke Aaron Rice’s 2016 record of 2.5 million vertical feet. He set this goal in February 2023, which he’s been aiming for since he started his pursuit in January 2024. Dines doesn’t plan on stopping or slowing down since he has broken the record. He still has 68 days left of skiing before the end of the year and has time to add to his record. Weather and travel will affect how many more vertical feet he can ski the rest of the year.
Besides the numbers and statistics he crushed so far this year, Dines mentioned that the one thing he truly treasured throughout his journey was companionship and meeting new people. “The highlight really, more and more as the year has gone on, is the friends I’ve made along the way. I’ve met such incredible people from around the world. Talented, kind individuals,” Dines said to SnowBrains in an interview. During the record-breaking climb, Dines was accompanied by two friends from Vermont, which was a meaningful way to complete the final push towards his world record. However, along the skin track and around the mountain, the camaraderie and sincerity he experienced over the year so far were immeasurable.
Skiing over 3 million human-powered vertical feet in a year is an amazing accomplishment. It requires stamina, strength, skill, and mental toughness. You would think those would be the most challenging aspects of accomplishing the feat, but Dines said there were other things he had to learn and overcome throughout this process. Planning each day, choosing which location to go next, and having enough resources to sustain him through his journey was just as challenging as skiing. He had to learn important lessons throughout this year, besides just skiing and climbing, to make his dream a reality. “The logistics, the business side and funding, and learning social media,” Dines told SnowBrains in an interview.
What started on January 1, 2024, in Stowe, Vermont, has become an incredible world record and a fascinating story of a person’s love for skiing and the mountains. One surprising thing throughout his journey is that Dines never lost his love for skiing. You would think that skiing almost daily for a year straight would somehow diminish his passion for skiing. With over 3 million feet and a world record, Dines is still upbeat and hitting the slopes with his positive attitude, driving every vertical foot up the mountain. Going into 2024-25, Dines looks forward to spending lost time with family and friends. He plans on reflecting on the people and places involved in his record year and more skiing but without an agenda.
