What I Learned From Building PeakHouse This Season (And Where We’re Going Next)

The PeakHouse program has grown more than I could have ever anticipated over the past 12 months—and we have you to thank for that.

Well, this post is going to be different.

Taken on Day 2/46, picking up groceries for PeakHouse Colorado!

Starting today, I’m going to be writing you a little more personally from time to time—pulling back the curtain on what’s happening behind the scenes at PeakRankings and what’s coming next. At the heart of all this is community. PeakHouse exists because of the connections we’ve built together, and I want to make sure we’re creating space to keep those going outside of the mountains. (If you haven’t already, you can join our growing Circle community space here!)

I’m writing this after being away from home in Brooklyn for 46 straight days, leading PeakHouse trips across Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Austria, and Switzerland—without a single break to see friends or family in between. It was an absolute whirlwind. Interest in the PeakHouse program exploded after our original Utah trip in March 2024. Naturally, my instinct was to meet that demand head-on. We went from hosting one winter trip in 2024 to running six this season—a massive leap, but one we felt was worth it.

Personally, this season also marked a big shift. As someone used to solo travel for ski reviews and content, having a group along for the ride made the time pass by so much faster. There's something transformative about experiencing an adventure with others instead of going it alone.

There were so many standout moments this season that it’s hard to pick favorites—but a few will stick with me for a long time.

In the Dolomites, Rick led us on a mission to a hidden, horse-drawn surface lift he remembered from a prior trip. It took nearly four hours of skiing from our base village just to reach it, but the journey (and the throwback lift) was 100% worth it.

These horses dragged about 50 of us up the slope at a time. It was absolutely sick.

In Colorado, Jacob—who happens to be a professional baker—whipped up fresh focaccia bread for the house one night. It made its way into everyone's lunch pack the next day and set a new bar for PeakHouse meals going forward.

Jacob’s focaccia before it made it into hungry PeakHouse Colorado mouths.

And the entire Northern Rockies crew? Absolute savages.

Every single day, they took on the steepest hike-to terrain we could find—and did it with the kind of energy and stoke that reminded me why this program exists. I can't think of another time where a group of 20 was ripping it up the bootpacks and sending it down the chutes.

Some of the PeakHouse crew at the top of the Jackson Hole Headwall hike! Everyone here did at least five more hikes before the end of the trip.

Finally, I want to give a personal shoutout to some of the people who’ve come back for their second trip: Sean, Will, Josh, Grant, Adi, Oscar, Brian, and Bill. And an extra huge shoutout to Steve, who came back for round three. Your continued trust and support means the world, and you’ve helped shape this community into what it is today.

But let’s be real: being on the road for a month and a half isn’t easy. I missed birthdays, family moments, and the rhythm of daily life in New York. That’s why we’re already investing in more trip leaders—so the program can grow without me needing to be everywhere at once. Huge shoutout to Sam Daley, who led the Mammoth trip this March. It was the first PeakHouse I didn’t personally attend, and based on feedback, he absolutely crushed it.

The PeakHouse Mammoth crew!

While the ski season in North America might be winding down, this is just the beginning for what’s ahead. I invite you all to join us on an international ski trip to New Zealand in August and our first ever National Park trip to Banff in July.

To the 100+ of you who’ve joined us on a PeakHouse trip so far: thank you. Your support means the world. I can’t wait to see what we’ll build together next.

Talk soon,

Sam


Founder & CEO, PeakRankings

P.S. I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’ve been on a PeakHouse trip, are thinking about joining one, or just have thoughts on where we should take things next—hit reply and let me know. I read every message.