As the leading media outlet for the ski and snowboard industry, our goal at SnowBrains is to keep our audience informed and inspired in a fun and intelligent way.

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to look back at the year’s biggest moments in the snowsports world. From breaking news stories, investigative writings, and in-depth Brains posts, as well as the latest trends shaping mountain culture and industry highlights that defined the season, 2024 delivered a flurry of excitement for winter sports enthusiasts. Whether it was groundbreaking innovations, unforgettable days on the slopes, or the stories that made us laugh, cry, and dream of the mountains, these are the top stories that captured the heart of the mountain community this year.

The list is organized by month with the stories our readers engaged with the most out of the thousands and thousands published throughout the year. Overall, there was a trend of weather-related articles, events that involved accidents, injuries, or, unfortunately—death—as well as original Brains posts. Enjoy, and remember to stay tuned to SnowBrains.com for all the latest industry news and reports.

January

Palisades Tahoe, California, experienced two inbounds avalanches within 30 hours, raising concerns about slope safety. In Austria, a gondola at a ski resort plummeted to the ground, highlighting potential issues with lift maintenance and safety protocols. Additionally, we emphasized the paramount importance of what our readers said was the first rule of skiing and snowboarding.

• Palisades Tahoe, CA, Rocked by 2nd Inbounds Avalanche in 30 Hours
• Gondola Plummets to Ground in Austrian Ski Resort
• The Undisputed First Rule of Skiing and Snowboarding

February

A massive D4 avalanche on Mount Shasta, CA, traveled 5,000 vertical feet over a 3-mile stretch, leaving behind 60-foot snow walls, while in Grand Teton National Park, WY, a skier triggered an avalanche and was carried 1,500 vertical feet, resulting in serious injuries and a challenging rescue operation. Meanwhile, a report highlighted the five Western ski towns suffering from the worst traffic, drawing attention to the growing strain on infrastructure in popular mountain destinations.

• [PHOTOS] Huge 3-Mile Long Avalanche Travels 5,000 Vertical Feet and Creates 60-Foot Walls on Mount Shasta, CA
• Skier Seriously Injured After Triggering Avalanche and Being Carried 1,500 Vertical Feet in Grand Teton National Park, WY
• The 5 Western Ski Towns With the Worst Traffic

March

We explored what distinguishes a double black diamond from a black diamond and highlighted the top-rated ski resorts in each state. Readers also shared their bucket list destinations, naming nine must-visit ski resorts worldwide.

• What Separates a Double Black Diamond from a Black Diamond?
• 5 Stars – The Highest Rated Ski Resort in Every Ski State
• 9 Resorts to Visit Before You Die – According to SnowBrains Readers

April

A young skier tragically lost his life attempting a road gap jump near Winter Park, CO. Meanwhile, Alta Ski Area celebrated its closing day with creative costumes, and a tongue-in-cheek article noted Taylor Swift’s “plans” to build a ski resort in Montana.

• Young Skier Killed Near Winter Park, CO, Attempting Berthoud Pass Road Gap Jump
• [PHOTOS] Some of the Best Costumes Seen at Alta Ski Area, UT, Closing Day
• Taylor Swift is Buying Land in Montana to Build Private Ski Resort (note the date of article)

May

A local doctor died in an avalanche in Idaho’s Lost River Range, and Killington, VT, proposed a $3 billion resort expansion. Tragic news from Tibet reported the recovery of climber Anna Gutu and her Sherpa’s bodies, and Alta’s GM proposed solutions to Little Cottonwood Canyon’s traffic in a “Red Snake Letter.”

• Local Doctor Killed in Avalanche in Idaho’s Lost River Range
• Major $3 Billion Expansion Project Proposed for Killington, VT
• Bodies of American Climber Anna Gutu and Her Nepalese Sherpa Retrieved from Shishapangma, Tibet
• Alta Ski Area, UT, General Manager Pens “Red Snake Letter” to UDOT to Offer True Solution for Congestion in Little Cottonwood Canyon

June 

World Cup skier Jean Daniel Pession and his girlfriend died in a backcountry skiing accident in Italy. Landslides cut off Zermatt, Switzerland, from the world, and the U.S. moved to ban DJI camera products.

• World Cup Speed Skier Jean Daniel Pession and His Girlfriend Killed in Tragic Accident While Backcountry Skiing in Italy
• Landslides and Flooding Cuts of Zermatt, Switzerland, From the Rest of the World
• U.S. Moves to Ban DJI Camera Products

July

Philadelphia saw rare July snowfall amid a heatwave. We also listed the East Coast’s most challenging ski runs and examined the post-pandemic ski industry’s rapid growth.

• Philadelphia Experiences Rare July Snowfall Amid Heat Wave
• The Most Challenging Ski Runs on the East Coast According to Locals
• Inside the Ski Industry’s Post-Pandemic Boom

August

The Farmer’s Almanac predicted a cold, snowy winter for 2024/25, we shared median snowfall dates for North America, and tracking apps’ impact on skiing was analyzed.

• Farmer’s Almanac 2024/25 Winter Forecast: Cold, Wet, Snowy Winter Ahead…. But Where?
• Median Dates for the First Measurable Snowfall in North America
• How Tracking Apps Have Changed the Way People Ski

September

Readers ranked the sketchiest ski resort access roads, while a 5-year-old boy survived a mountain lion attack in California.  We also took a deep dive into the future of Palisades Tahoe.

• The 9 Sketchiest Ski Resort Access Roads in North America, According to SnowBrains Readers
• 5-Year-Old Boy Mauled by Mountain Lion in California
• The Battle Over The Future of Palisades Tahoe

October

NOAA updated its ENSO forecast, examining La Niña’s historical snow impacts. Plans emerged for a long-anticipated ski resort in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains.

• NOAA ENSO Update: La Niña’s Historical Impact – What to Expect for Snow This Winter
• A Long Overdue Ski Resort is Finally Being Planned in the Ruby Mountains of Nevada

November

Saudi Arabia’s desert saw snow for the first time in recorded history. Record snowfall blanketed Las Vegas, NM, while an accident at Brighton Resort, UT, underscored early-season risks.

• [PHOTOS] Desert in Saudi Arabia Sees Snow for 1st Time in Recorded History
• Accident at Brighton Resort, UT, Serves as Stark Reminder of the Risks of Early Season Skiing and Snowboarding
• [PHOTOS] Record-Breaking Snowfall Buries Las Vegas, NM

December

Mikaela Shiffrin shared a graphic image of her injury at Killington, VT. We also introduced the world’s first 100% aluminum skis and reported on a chairlift falling at Montana Snowbowl.

• Mikaela Shiffrin Shares Graphic Image of Her Injury from Killington, VT
• The World’s First 100% Aluminum Skis are Here and the Benefits are Substantial
• Chair Falls to Ground at Montana Snowbowl

2024 definitely reminded us why we’re all so passionate about the mountains and SnowBrains will continue to be your go-to source for the industry’s top stories. From breaking news to thought-provoking brain posts, emerging trends, and key industry highlights in the ski and snowboard world, we covered it all.

Here’s to another year of carving turns, chasing powder, and staying informed on everything that makes winter sports unforgettable.

See you on the slopes in 2025.