July-August 2026 / NEWS BRIEFS

Building the Next Gen Ski Industry Workforce

Every ski resort depends on talented people to create exceptional guest experiences, yet many students – and educators – never realize the ski industry offers rewarding, lifelong careers beyond seasonal employment. The Pipeline Project, founded by former New Hampshire Career & Technical Education educator Tiffany Whitcomb, is a year-round workforce initiative designed to bridge that gap by connecting mountain resorts, industry partners, educators, and students. During its inaugural year, the initiative introduced more than 600 students to ski industry careers through classroom presentations, educator engagement, and its first Ski Career Exploration event.

This fall, Ski Career Exploration events will be held at Gunstock Mountain Resort in New Hampshire on Oct. 21, Killington Resort in Vermont on Oct. 23, and Snowbird in Utah on Oct. 5. Students participate in hands-on experiences led by industry professionals, exploring careers in lift systems, snowcat operations, culinary arts, and mountain operations. Featured sessions include Introduction to Ski Lift Electrical presented by Leitner-Poma of America, a Snowcat Sit-In Experience with Prinoth, career Q&A sessions, and mock job interviews.

In addition to student programming, The Pipeline Project offers Teacher Professional Development workshops that equip educators with industry knowledge, classroom resources, and connections to local mountain resorts, extending career awareness well beyond a single event.

Resorts, manufacturers, suppliers, and industry organizations are invited to become Pipeline 

Project industry partners, gaining year-round opportunities to connect with local schools, strengthen workforce awareness, and inspire the next generation of mountain professionals. Career & Technical Education centers and high schools are encouraged to register students for this fall's Ski Career Exploration events to provide them with an immersive introduction to careers in the ski industry.

“The incredible career opportunities are what first capture students' attention, but they aren't what define this industry. What makes the ski industry truly special is its people. It's a community built on passion, teamwork, craftsmanship, and a genuine desire to help one another succeed. As a former Career & Technical Education teacher, I've seen those same qualities in CTE students every day. Our hope is to simply bring those two communities together because I believe they're an incredible fit,” said Tiffany Whitcomb, founder of The Pipeline Project.

Schools interested in attending and industry leaders interested in partnering are encouraged to learn more and register at thepipelineproject.ski.

A Decade of Huts and Trails in Vermont’s Backcountry 

Vermont Huts & Trails, the nonprofit organization behind Vermont’s growing network of backcountry huts and the Velomont multiday MTB bike trail, is looking back at a decade of transformative work in outdoor recreation, conservation, accessibility, and community strengthening. In ten years, VHT has collaborated with Vermont Mountain Bike Association chapters to establish the Velomont Trail – a hut-supported bike route through the Green Mountains that will span 485M and connect 27 communities. In 2020 they launched the F.O.R.E.S.T Program (Fostering Outdoor Recreation, Education, Sustainability, and Teamwork) to provide free hut retreats including transportation, gear, food, and outdoor education to underserved youth and historically marginalized communities. 

Vermont Huts & Trails has accommodated over 60,000 hut guests, expanded their network to 19 huts, built over 32 miles of new and/or improved Velomont Trail, and hosted nearly 300 F.O.R.E.S.T participants – all while partnering to conserve thousands of acres, support local economies, and increase access to outdoor recreation. Looking ahead, they will be transforming a building in Randolph, VT into an ADA-friendly hostel for outdoor adventurers and travelers. This summer, they are constructing South Pond Hut which will serve as a stopping point between the Velomont & Catamount Trails. They are also proceeding with a major extension of the Velomont Trail following U.S. Forest Service approval for 72M of trails in the Manchester Ranger District and over 30M in the Rochester District. Happy 10th Anniversary! To learn more visit vermonthuts.org.

Settlement Over Unauthorized MTB Trail on State Land

On July 7, Attorney General Charity Clark announced a settlement with Cyril Brunner and Aaron Rice over the state’s allegations that the individuals illegally constructed mountain bike trails in Mt. Mansfield State Forest in Stowe, VT. The state found that between 2016 and 2021, Cyril and Aaron had unlawfully cut about 327 trees to the ground and permanently altered rocks, having drilled holes to anchor wooden trail crossings. This unauthorized trail consisted of two loops of approximately 1.5M in length. They agreed to pay $35,000 in timber trespass damages and remove any remaining constructed features associated with the trail. Part of the settlement will contribute to the remaining trail restoration, though Stowe Trails Partnership has already restored the majority of it. Attorney General Clark highlights how critical it is to protect public lands and ensure their sustainable management for the wellbeing of current and future generations in Vermont. –Office of the Vermont Attorney General

Stifel Killington Cup Returns to Vermont

The Stifel Killington Cup will once again be the first Audi FIS Ski World Cup race held in the US during the 2026-27 ski season. The event returns to Killington after the 2025 US women’s World Cup races were held at Copper Mountain, Colorado, while Killington’s premiere black-diamond ski trail and World Cup race course, Superstar, was under construction. The completion of the new Superstar Six chairlift, and 100 new low-energy snowguns now support one of the most important early-season race venues in the country. Coming off an Olympic year, this year’s Stifel Killington Cup field is expected to feature many athletes who competed in the 2026 Winter Games. Including Olympic gold medalists Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States and Frederica Brignone of Italy, along with American Olympic Medalist Paula Moltzan of Vermont. The annual athlete bib draw is set for Friday, Nov. 27, followed by giant slalom and slalom races on Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 28-29. The weekend is simultaneously packed with entertainment, live music and a vendor village on race days. One of the most attended women’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup races in the world, the Stifel Killington Cup is expected to draw 40,000 fans throughout the weekend. For more info, go to killington.com.

Leave No Yuckies!

With summer in full swing and people making the most of the longer, warmer days outside, it is important to remember the seven principles of Leave No Trace. They ask those engaging with nature to plan ahead and prepare; travel and camp on durable surfaces; dispose of waste properly; leave what you find; minimize campfire impacts; respect wildlife; and be considerate of others. 

Avid Vermont outdoor enthusiasts and Leave No Trace advocates Dani and Becca founded a company, YourYuckies, which was born mid-trail out of real frustration and a very real need for a better way to manage hygiene outdoors. They developed an “all-in-one biodegradable hygiene bag” to better store and dispose of bathroom products while in the backcountry – making principle three of Leave No Trace easier. They also decided to double down and design it to be compostable and made out of corn. YourYuckies makes bio breaks easier for the user, while also reducing the amount of waste left out on the trails. Thank you for helping to keep our Green Mountains green. Visit them at youryuckies.com.