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Wyoming avalanche center crowdsources to create safer slopes

Feb 6, 2024
The popularity of snowmobiling takes enthusiasts into potentially deadly avalanche terrain. What can be done to mitigate risk?
Hannah Habermann/Wyoming Public Media

Small ski resorts face uphill battle with snow shortfalls

Jan 8, 2024
As climate change makes winter snowfall uncertain, selling lift tickets gets trickier — especially at smaller, locally owned resorts.
In the past, White Pine ski resort in Wyoming has been able to open by Dec. 1, but this year there was not enough snow for the resort to open by Christmas.
Caitlin Tan/Wyoming Public Media

The ski wax industry is working to leave PFAS behind

Apr 4, 2022
Laws and regulations are changing to kick this harmful “forever chemical” off the ski hill.
Eric Straubhar buffs the wax on a child's ski in his Idaho shop. Bans on PFAS waxes haven't provoked pushback, he said. If they apply to everyone, "the playing field is level."
Madelyn Beck/Mountain West News Bureau

Pandemic drives backyard ice rink boom

Jan 18, 2021
Families in the Upper Midwest are getting creative as they look for outdoor activities for their kids during the cold winter months.
Shea Finnegan, age 6, skates with friends on Dec. 13, 2020. Allen Ratai built this rink outside his family home in Duluth and has been helping friends build their own rinks this year, as well.
James Napoli

Recreational trails are seen as an economic boon

Jan 3, 2020
Cities around the country have long had to worry about roads. Now, with the help of volunteers, they’re also investing more heavily in trails.
Retired Olympic gold medalist Kikkan Randall leads dozens of young Nordic skiers on a workout at the Grand Avenue Nordic Center in Duluth, Minnesota.
Dan Kraker

U.S. ski industry steps up climate lobbying

Feb 14, 2019
The ski industry is speaking out about dwindling snowfall and shorter ski seasons.
The ski industry is speaking out about dwindling snowfall and shorter ski seasons.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images