OUR TEAM
Sam Handy
Marketing Manager
Sam brings extensive digital marketing experience to the Avant Ski team. He previously served as the Director of Marketing for the innovative marine electronics company, Siren Marine.
Growing up in Rhode Island, Sam learned to ski using the iconic rope tow at Yawgoo Valley. His first trip to a “real” mountain – Mount Snow, VT – sealed the deal, he was hooked. Since discovering that he may not be MLB bound, Sam has hung up his baseball glove and turned his full attention to the slopes.
Sam spends his winter weekends driving north to Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont and divides his vacation time wisely amongst the Rockies, Tetons, Wasatch or Sierras. Sam doesn’t “technically” have a home mountain, but has been most fond of Sugarloaf, ME and Sugarbush, VT – anything with sugar is good, really. As long as there are trees to ski, cliffs (not too big, mind you) to drop, and the occasional powder stash to find, he’s happy.
Favorite Resort / Trail:
Brackett Basin or the Backside Snowfields at Sugarloaf
Aspirational Resort:
Anywhere in Japan, Chile, or New Zealand
2020-21 Season Goals:
Skin up to catch a sunrise, get more into the backcountry!
Most Days in a Season:
35
RECENT ARTICLES
Sugarloaf Resort Guide
Sugarloaf, located in the Bigelow Range of Northwestern Maine, is a hardcore skier/rider's paradise. With better-than-average snowfall (200+ inches), above tree line skiing, an extensive 'sidecountry'* gladed ski area, AND a cat skiing operation, "the Loaf" offers an experience unlike anywhere else in New England.
7 Transformative Ski Resort Projects Currently Underway
Not even Covid-19 can stop resorts ski resorts from building for the future. Resorts are continuing to invest in terrain expansions, lift modernizations, and developing/upgrading lodges. We outline are 7 transformative projects at resorts across North America - from new lifts at Arapahoe Basin and Loon Mountain to massive terrain expansations at Steamboat, we have all the details
The Go-To Source for the Latest on Multi-Resort Season Passes
The Avant Ski Season Pass Update tracker is your source for all of the latest details on Covid-19 related changes to the major multi-resort season pass programs including pricing changes, insurance coverage and deadlines to purchase passes.
An Early Look at Winter 2020-21
We are encouraged to see resorts taking steps to prepare for the ski season. With hard work and advanced planning we are optimistic about a safe, healthy and fun winter. The season will look different though. We share early details on what to expect and how we can get ready for this season.
Sunday River Resort Guide
With 870 acres of skiable terrain spread across 8 peaks, Sunday River is the second largest resort east of the Rockies (a bit larger than Aspen Mountain). This place is huge but we have you covered with top trails, and expert itinerary to ski from boundary to boundary, on mountain dining recommendations ad where to relax after a full day on the slopes.