independently owned Archives

Hometown Mountain Shoutout: Sugar Bowl, CA—More Snow and Fewer People

Throughout my childhood in Berkeley, California, I only found it easy to wake up early for the 5:30 a.m. alarm that would sometimes come on weekends. A 5:30 a.m. alarm meant we could be out of the house by 6:00 a.m., in Sacramento, California, by 7 a.m., seeing the first snow by 8 a.m., and parked in the Judah lot […]

Oliver Van Dusen | November 19, 2024

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The 9 Best Independently Owned U.S. ‘Mom-and-Pop’ Ski Resorts, According to SnowBrains Readers

We recently reached out to our loyal readers to ask the question, “What are your favorite independently owned mom-and-pop ski areas?” Here’s a list of the top responses. Thank you, and we hope you enjoy reading. Silverton Mountain, CO Properly described as “a unique mountain experience,” Silverton operates unlike any other ski resort in the U.S. Silverton Mountain was operated […]

Industry News

Ryan Kime | October 4, 2024

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How Smaller Resorts Offer Smaller Environmental Impact

Brought to you by Monarch Mountain These days it may feel like the big corporations rule the ski world. The ski industry is pressured to open early, offer year round lift access, and create a comfortable environment in the most remote locations. When choosing where to ski or buy a pass, some might look for who has the most skiable […]