Elan Skis hits the road with Glen Plake’s Down Home Tour

Elan Skis, handcrafted skis 100% made in the Slovenian Alps for nearly 80 years, is back on the road with legendary skier Glen Plake, and wife Kimberly, for their iconic Down Home Tour. Partnering with Elan Skis, the Plake’s will be touring Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana visiting beloved mom-and-pop independent ski areas along the way. The journey will celebrate the culture of skiing, the spirit of community, and Elan’s “Always Good Times” ethos.

After several years of anticipation, the Down Home Tour is returning for its 10th tour to remind skiers what makes the sport so special—the people, the places, and the passion. Plake, known for his vibrant personality and pioneering style, will be engaging with skiers of all levels, sharing stories and chairlift rides, signing autographs, and hitting the slopes at small, grassroots ski resorts that have long been the heartbeat of the skiing community.

“Small, local ski areas are the soul of the sport. They are where skiing has its roots, where friendships are made, and where the good times live on,” said Plake, who has been an ambassador for the sport and a staunch supporter of community-focused skiing for decades. “The Down Home Tour is all about celebrating that spirit—the real culture of skiing. It’s about embracing the fun, the freedom, and the friendships that come with it.”

The tour will highlight several beloved, lesser-known resorts that embody the intimate, family-friendly feel of ski culture. These destinations—some off the beaten path—offer skiers a chance to experience authentic mountain environments where everyone is treated like family.

Part of the tour’s magic is no set schedule or itinerary. The first tour was the Plake’s honeymoon and similar to the orginal plan, the Plake’s intend to follow the snow wherever their hearts take them.

“Elan has always been about celebrating the good times on the mountain,” said Elan’s U.S. Product and Marketing Director, Ben Fresco. “We’re thrilled to have the Plake’s back on the road with the Down Home Tour, bringing the culture of skiing to more communities and inspiring people to get out and ski with the same energy and passion that Glen embodies. You never know when and where you might share a chairlift with the legend himself.”

Fans and enthusiasts can follow the Down Home Tour journey on Elan Skis’ social media @elanskis using the hashtag #DownHomeTour and #AlwaysGoodTimes for updates, photos, and highlights from the road.