LPOA recently wrapped up a successful circuit at the 2026 National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Winter Conferences, strengthening ties with industry partners in both the West and East. From the heights of the Wasatch Range to the “Beast of the East,” our teams engaged with nearly 1,400 industry professionals across both events to discuss the future of lift technology and mountain operations.
Western Winter Conference: Snowbird, Utah (Jan. 13–15)
The Western conference at Snowbird drew nearly 700 attendees. It was a week of high-level networking and technical exchange.
• LPOA Presence: Our President and CEO, Daren Cole, welcomed guests to the Summit for a hosted dinner, a marquee social event of the conference.
• Mountain Insights: Attendees experienced Snowbird’s unique infrastructure firsthand, including the Peruvian Tunnel, a 600-foot surface lift that transports guests through the mountain, capped with a sunrise run down the backside.
• Industry Trends: Sessions focused on advancing women in mountain operations, navigating AI recommendations online, technology advancements in terrain park building, and innovations in water and energy sustainability.
Eastern Winter Conference: Killington, Vt. (Feb. 3–4)
Fresh off the success in Utah, the team headed to Vermont for the Eastern Winter Conference. While much of the industry has focused on early-season reliability, the atmosphere at Killington proved that winter is alive and well, punctuated by 3 inches of fresh snow that fell during the event. The team also enjoyed riding the new LPOA Sigma Skyeship Gondola cabins, installed for the 2025-26 season.
• LPOA & Skytrac Spotlight: Two major highlights were industry spotlights on both LPOA and Skytrac. The LPOA spotlight focused on key factors that drive lift prices and the potential benefits of mulit-year and multi-lift contracts, a case study on effective service-recovery strategies, and an introduction of skadii Workspace to streamline resort management. The Skytrac spotlight explored how lifts at community ski areas across the country are vital to industry growth.
• Diverse Education: Eastern sessions explored smart water management, a case study of Killington’s new snowmaking investments, inclusive terrain park design, and changing partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service.
• Strong Demand: The Eastern trade show floor was a hive of activity, with exhibit spaces completely sold out well in advance of the event.
What’s Next?
Our team is now preparing for the NSAA National Convention in Carlsbad, California, scheduled for May 4–7, 2026. We look forward to continuing these vital conversations with our partners across North America.
