Skier Sets New Uphill World Record; Climbs Millions of Vertical Feet

Over two and a half million feet. That’s the record-breaking metric Noah Dines surpassed this week during his pursuit to ski three million vertical feet in a single year—without the help of a chairlift.

He’s earned every foot with his skis and skins by schussing uphill and, to date, climbed the equivalent vertical feet of Mt. Everest over 80 times. Dines established the new world record for most human-powered vertical feet skied in one year on September 2nd, at El Colorado—a Chilean ski resort—supplanting the previous record-holder, Aaron Rice. On the record-breaking ascent, Dines was joined by two friends from Vermont, professional skier Parkin Costain and Costain’s filmer, Patrick Conroy.

“It was a pretty special moment,” said Dines. “It was really fun.” Enjoying the accomplishment with new and old friends elevated the experience, as did riding alongside the ever-talented Costain. “Watching somebody like Parkin ski, of course, is always a treat,” said Dines.

While Dines’ has spent the latest leg of his journey in South America racking up on snow vertical feet, his mission to ski uphill yearlong began earlier on January 1st, 2024. He started at midnight in Stowe, Vermont, and spent the rest of the month climbing and skiing the Northeastern slopes. The region’s supposed lack of big mountain terrain did little to slow Dines down. “It was actually super efficient,” he said, making note of the Northeast's sustained steepness. “I did my biggest month then.”

Then, he ping-ponged across the country—and the world—to continue the adventure. Destinations included Saint Gervais, France, near Chamonix; Innsbruck, Austria; and now South America, where Dines will remain until late October or early November before returning stateside. Dines considers Stowe home, so that’s where he’ll end 2024.

Despite accomplishing a record-breaking athletic feat, Dines’ sporting background is remarkably normal. He skied some growing up in the Boston, Massachusetts, area and ran track and cross country during middle school. “I didn't even play a varsity sport in high school. The farthest I got was JV soccer,” said Dines.

After attending the University of Connecticut, Dines moved to Maine for a few years and began skiing more regularly. During his second winter there, he obtained a very used telemark setup, which, one night, he used to ski tour under the moon at Camden Snow Bowl, a small Maine ski area. It was Dines’ first time touring. Before long, he was in love with the sport.

Dines is now 30. He suspects his historically informal approach to athletics is part of his obsession with ski touring. “I'm still progressing and getting faster and getting stronger and getting better as I get older, and I pour more and more of myself into it,” he explained.

The primary impetus for Dines’ world record push was simple. “Part of the reason that I wanted to do this thing is because I said I've never tried really hard. I've never fully invested myself in one thing,” he said. “I want to know what that feels like, and I'm getting that experience this year.”

Dines obviously hasn’t half-assed it. Since January 1st, he’s skied almost every day, steadily cruising uphill towards his overall goal. He estimates that he’s only taken 10 or 11 days off during the three million foot push, primarily to travel. To recover outside of skiing, he eats and tries to do as little as possible, spending many of his waking hours off the hill nearly—but not quite—asleep.

While touring, he makes sure not to push himself too hard. “I say that I tend to ski much slower than people that care about speed but faster than people that don't,” he explained. For terrain, he’s kept it mostly simple. Dines usually skis alone and has logged considerable hours in areas with lower avalanche risk.

As Dines isn’t currently working—seven days a week of skiing creates an all-consuming schedule—he’s relied on a mixture of savings, sponsor support, and a GoFundMe to keep the dream alive. In his Instagram bio, he lists numerous brands, including Fischer Skis, Maloja Clothing, and Plink.

“Logistics and funding and all of that have been, undoubtedly, the most challenging part of the year,” he said. Outside of skiing, he’s worked as an educator and is a former instructor at Mount Mansfield Academy. “I came into this, you know, from an education background, not as a pro skier,” he added.

While the world record’s now notched, Dines will continue pushing for the rest of 2024, and his initial goal—three million vertical feet—remains within reach. “I think I can do it,” said Dines. After finishing our conversation, I shot Dines a text to ask about photos. He told me that he’d send them when he was done skiing. Skiing? I followed up: “Were you skinning while we were talking?” His response: “The entire time!” In hindsight, it was probably a silly question.

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