SAM JULY 2025

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VOL. 64, NO. 4, JULY 2025

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ON THE COVER This year’s ”10 Under 30”: Camille Belletete, Taos Ski Valley, N.M.; Shelby Bowins, Blue Mountain, Ontario; Jamie Grimston, Brund- age, Idaho; Katie Kuzmeski, Mount Snow, Vt.; Dempsey Mendryzcki, Big Snow, N.J.; Ricky Nash, Showdown, Mont.; Hannah Roth, Mt. Sima, Yukon; Tommy Royther, Wisp, Md.; Zach Staker, Winterplace, W.Va.; Brandon Wagner, Little Swizterland, Wis.

Cover design: Joerg Dressler

 40 10 UNDER 30 These next-gen leaders bring fresh thinking, heart, and hustle to every corner of the mountain resort industry. By April Darrow

 45 GETTING TRAILS READY FOR WINTER

58 MOUNTAIN BLUEPRINTS

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Ecosign’s Paul Mathews reflects on 50 years of mountain resort planning and design in this

Trail work in the summer pays off when the snow, manmade or natural, starts flying. By Peter Oliver

SAM Trailblazers Q&A. By Moira McCarthy

48 TECH UPLIFT

Modernizing your tech stack requires planning, good communication, and, sometimes, pushing past resistance to create a more friction-free experience, as these four resorts found. By Mark Aiken

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52 GREASING THE GEARS

When the elements align, mountain bike parks can take off. Here are the make-or-breaks to help decide, “Is the juice worth the squeeze?” By Josh Laskin

56 CONSTRUCTION SITE

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These ski areas got an early start on their major construction projects, including new lodges and lifts. By Peter Landsman

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