On The Ski Lift Skiing Podcast

We are thinking Memorial Day Weekend 2022 is the year to assemble Team On The Lift Podcast. This may sound like skier blasphemy, but… Dibs on NOT skiing. You'll see why – The race is a 93 mile relay. The mass start is the Nordic leg. The timing chip is then handed-off to the downhill … Read More Read More

Richie Owen shows us the way around Mt. Hutt. Actually, he shows us the way all around the South Island of New Zealand. This is the one destination that, well, wasn't a destination last year. The nation shut it's borders and held them tightly during the miserable era we call COVID. And the ski industry … Read More Read More

Valle Nevado is just uphill from Santiago, Chile. Dominique Rudlof is Valle Nevado’s marketing director and she shares her enthusiasm for this amazing resort in South America. Skiing begins in June. All-inclusive options area available on the mountain. Two other resorts are accessible literally by skiing over to them from Valle Nevado. Wine and nightlife … Read More Read More

This episode is the first of three timely productions about Southern Hemisphere skiing and snowboarding. Southern Hemi snowsports typically kick off in mid-June and last through mid-September. July and August are the heart of the season, and On The Lift Podcast listeners will never regret taking off on a ski holiday in New Zealand, Chile, … Read More Read More

Adaptive snowsports make skiing and snowboarding available to anyone who is interested.  This is an enlightening episode for those who would like to learn more about turning disabilities into abilities through snowsports. Contacts across the country for those interested in getting involved in adaptive sports: Locations

Benjamin Alexander is a mid-30’s racer.  He is working his tail off to qualify to represent Jamaica as a ski racer in the next Olympic games.  He’s admittedly inspired by the legendary bobsledders who preceded him.  But this badass has been skiing only 5 years, only one (yes “1”) of which has he been racing.  … Read More Read More

Rich Marriott knows avalanches.  He personally planted some of the hardware that makes forecasting possible for the rest of us mere mortal skiers who take snow control for granted.  Rich has been a meteorologist with King5 News for 33 years, and left a robust history of avalanche research to take on his current career.  We … Read More Read More

We’ve been keeping a list of some helpful thoughts for y’all.  Pocket meals to ski racks; nailing a “helicopter” to taking photos, and lots of fun stuff in between.  We’re here to help.  Thanks to those of you who sent in your tips, too.

  Our man, Brian Geppert, knows how to spare the landfill of skis.  Get to know Brian and his commitment to saving skis, sparing the landfill, and creating fabulous pieces of art.  And even better, those works are available for you, our lovely podcast listeners. Check out Brian’s page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SkiArtistry Check these articles out while … Read More Read More

We are really enjoying our new Instagram friends.  Eric Krantz is one of them.  Join us during this fun ski conversation about Eric’s dad finding a way to fund 5 kids lift tickets by selling popcorn in the parking lot.  We also dive into several of Eric’s favorite areas near his home in Minneapolis.  Since … Read More Read More

Two great skiing conversations on this one great episode.  Jeremy and Lance talk about the joys of Jeremy’s 14-year-old son’s growing passion for days on the hill with dad.  And now, a little less dad.  We talk about that moment when we are willing to let go, and trust, and hope, and pray, that “see … Read More Read More

Lance and Mike are unofficially getting out the trip-tik and planning a trip to Truckee, CA.  Their new best friends they haven’t met are perfectly represented by Shawn Bradley.  These guys are daily Squaw Valley addicts, and they are called TheFirstChairBoys.  You can find them on Instagram, where their popularity is exploding.  Join them, and … Read More Read More

Last time Dan and Lori ruined a SUV, Tried to buy a new one in an hour, and Rented one for a Month – all while en route to their month-long relocation to the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Salt Lake Basin.  This week, Dan reports on his first seven days of skiing.  … Read More Read More

Jonathan Boblitt (Important emphasis on the “L”), engineer, knows efficiency and math.  And that’s how he got Ross Leonhart’s attention at the Vail Daily newspaper. More than a few skiers define the success of their day by how many runs they take.  With the data included in the mega passes phone apps, vertical feet is … Read More Read More

Josh and Betsy Hall have three young kids, and all five get up to the mountain at least once a week.  This episode is for families who can benefit from some exceptional planning and organization tips.  From keeping everyones gloves in the right bins, to loading the truck with the best efficiency, this episode has … Read More Read More

After COVID shut down Dan’s Utah ski trip last season, he and his wife, Lori, made plans to spend a month in a ski town.  This will be a continuing update as Dan reports back to us from the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon just south of Salt Lake City Utah.  Hear about planning, pitching … Read More Read More

Adventure Journal is Steve Casimiro’s current passion.  You can find it at www.adventure-journal.com.  Reading Steve’s adventure articles will suck you in and give you the itch to get out.  To get out and explore.  To follow your curiosity.  To embrace your surrounding.  To figure out the “why” of the things we love in the outdoors.  … Read More Read More

listeners loved Colin’s interview during Episode 13. This is the follow-up we promised. Colin has now completed avalanche training and backcountry education. He’s also already got 18 days of skiing and it is only January 20. His local hill is near Bellingham, Washington. It is Mt. Baker, a rockin’ awesome area. Colin gives a comprehensive … Read More Read More

Mike and Lance talk about Mt. Bachelor. ‘Twas a beautiful 3 day ski weekend for Lance. Mike was there recently as well. We love Bend. We love Sunriver. We love Bachelor. And we do our best to share our history of the place with you. From accommodation location options, to food, to shuttles and parking, … Read More Read More

Lance and Mike begin what will be an ongoing conversation about the importance of POWDER Magazine to the soul of skiing. We have more to say about this super-influential magazine in upcoming episodes, but can’t help but begin some appreciation for the Moe brothers and founders and influential editors over the nearly 50 years of … Read More Read More

Chris shares his coping tool when the resorts are sold-out: show up with AT gear and two friends and earn some turns in the backcountry, side-country, or wherever the adventure awaits. He tells us all about the progression of gear, thoughts on safety, and his dedication to lifestyle fitness. And there is also the tree. … Read More Read More

One of our Midwest callers, Erin, reminds us to explore the Indy Pass. A great 2-day per resort pass that features some smaller resorts throughout North America. Erin caught the ski-but last year, in her 40s! She reminds us that the little areas can rock, and the pass might be an affordable way to diversify … Read More Read More

Blake is an avid skier. He’s an exceptional ski conversationalist. He’s a fantastic photographer. He knows the nooks and crannies of his favorite mountain like no other. He also wants to stay safe and keep the mountains open during COVID. His review of the Go Pro Max (no – not a sponsor; but wouldn’t that … Read More Read More

Mike and Lance deliver. That is, they deliver their early season mountain dining experiences to OTL listeners. Large lodges are sitting empty. But the food prep remains abuzz in the kitchens. We talk about the COVID-look of grab yer food and scatter, architectural changes to mountains because tent dining is apparently safer than in-lodge. We … Read More Read More

An OTL fave, Jeremy, has enough early days in this strange era of skiing that he is an expert on figuring out how to do ones part keeping people safe and KEEPING THE MOUNTAIN OPEN. Face coverings are a way of life. Neck gaiters are in most skiers bags. But how can we be comfortable, … Read More Read More

Mike and Lance are back! Sorry for the delay. COVID means a completely different approach to days on the mountain, and Mike and Lance are here to help you and your new ski day expectations. They talk about some early season considerations for keeping ourselves safely among others, and keeping our mountains open during COVID. … Read More Read More

Our pal, Tod, shares about his righteous ski rig. There’s always a little extra sleep, and a fried egg sandwich when it comes to parking lot skiing from Tod’s fully self-contained class B playpen. And, Jeremy tells us how he took a mere leased lodge with a DJ and turned a stuffy obligatory birthday party … Read More Read More

Bear with some “levels” issues, we’re still figuring this out. BUT – THE CONTENT IS WHAT YOU WANT! This episode has interviews from two different 19 year olds who’ve both got-it-goin-on! Learn all about what it takes to stumble into a groomer job at one of the nations best resorts. Then we switch to Josiah’s … Read More Read More

Lance and Mike document their opening day 2018 at Crystal Mountain, Washington. Primal adrenaline noises. New friends. Beer. And Mike’s safe driving. Join the fun of Day 1.

Our first semi-live episode. From the gymnasium at Gig Harbor High School. Supporting the annual ski swap, organized by the fantastic leadership of Jacob Spadoni, in support of GHHS Wrestling. Lots of interviews. And lots of anticipation for the First Day!

Our first mic’d interview. Featuring Andrew Reid. Andrew and two others went summer skiing at Oregon’s Mt. Hood. This episode is about their great first day of summer skiing. Make that summer BOARDING at Mt. Hood’s Timberline Lodge. Everybody should Summer Ski (as opposed to late skiing spring skiing). We think Andrew will be inspired … Read More Read More

Ski films should be watched during the end of summer. It’ll put you in the mood to gear-up during Labor Day mega-sales. Mike talks about his mid-80’s Warren Miller Fave. Lance launches into his Greg Stump Era (i.e. Plake, helmet cam, mic’s on skiers, Schmidt) hero’s. Our story-teller favorite regular guest (whether he knows it … Read More Read More

Show Notes Labor Day Starts the Season Vibe with Biggie Sales: Seattle Ski Bonkers – Labor Day Weekend NOTE: Some preview items and prices are on its web page! https://www.facebook.com/skibonkers/ Home 8/31-9/3 Held at abandoned Sports Authority, just south of Bellevue Square. Colorado Christy Sports’ Powder Daze Events at four locations. But biggie: 1. Denver … Read More Read More

We have dozens of years of observing resort employees, seasonal help, restaurant and hospitality servers, and retail workers.  Maybe this discussion will help you decide what kind of work to pursue in the soon-to-occur hiring fairs?  It’s hardly a how-to episode.  All vision. Then Lance shares a family wound to his self-worth.  Support him by … Read More Read More

We are partial to buying ski and snowboard equipment in your local shop.  But sometimes online shopping for ski and snowboard gear just makes sense.  There are risks with buying big items, and closeouts online.  Why not stock up on base-layers, goggles, resort-wear now.  We’ve tried some of the online retailers we mention.  And, we … Read More Read More