Locals' Feature: Max Smith of Moment Skis

Meet Max Smith, VP of Moment Skis in Reno, Nevada

01.08.2025

Hailing from just outside of Placerville, California, Max now makes his home in Reno, Nevada. He's the VP of Moment Skis, aka, the Biggest Little Ski Company in the World (Moment is in fact the largest ski manufacturer in the US).

Growing up, Max and his dad built skis in their garage, so it was only fitting that when he moved to Reno he found Moment skis, and an industry philosophy he could embrace. Moment Skis is all about keeping things independent and visionary, building high quality skis for all variety of terrain, from off-trail to deep powder. Moment Skis is also famous for the artistic graphics on their gear.

See how the skis are made by visiting Moment Skis headquarters in Reno. The factory is where the magic happens, so drop in for a visit and say hi to the team, including employees' dogs who do quality control. Get gear tips and ski resort advice while strolling the showroom. There might even be some local beer to share as you talk shop....

TIP: Many of the craftspeople at Moment also really like mountain biking, so be sure to get the beta on local trails at places like Peavine Mountain. 

Way to meet the Moment! 

Listen to Weekend Sherpa's podcast Take It Outside, episode 63, "Holiday Edition: The Moment is Now" to hear our interview with Max Smith.

Reno Tahoe Care Package, by Weekend Sherpa

Photos by Moment Skis.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Camp at Goose Lake in the Lakes Basin

    Duck, Duck, Goose!

    Try to get a first-come, first-served campsite at one of the Lakes Basin’s lakeside campgrounds. We love Goose Lake Campground, where there are just 13 sites and no motorized boats.

    View

  2. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

    View

  3. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

  4. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Let's Go to Paso!

    Paso Robles is a good idea in all seasons, but one season brings a special bounty: harvest season! Road-trip ready and teeming with fall colors and fun events, Paso Robles is the ultimate destination for unique autumn experiences.

    View

  2. Can't Top This

    San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top. Make that two cherries on top, with the newly opened (July 2025) Outpost Meadow, a 1.5-acre green space located at Old Mason Street across from the Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio.

    View

  3. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

    View

  4. Oh Ryan

    Sure, it’s those whimsical trees that give Joshua Tree National Park its marquee billing; but this beautiful landscape also has surrounding mountains and its night sky—one of the darkest in Southern California and designated an International Dark Sky Park. Joshua Tree has four allowable stargazing parking lots, and a newly opened haven for spending the night nearby...

    View