East MF Coast 19/20.

[t-the-east]

Pownding

About 6” at my place, 15 minutes from WF. Get it.

[AyoBeng]

Steaux cam shot I saw earlier of the gondi still had some long grass visable but it wasn't deterring at least 2 skinners I saw headed up.

If it was around 6 it may have been me! But there were a ton of people there. By the time I left both upper gondi lots were approaching full.

The skiing was really good, but still rock ski conditions. The new snow is supportive and no crust layer this far north.

[FussyDutchman]

^

A little later I think but good work.

[ticketchecker]

Yesterday's event came up a bit short at the loaf but opening day has been bumped up to Friday

[anotherVTskibum]

Last night was looking really promising until about 7 p.m. here in Bethel, then it petered out a bit before switching to less-ideal precipitation types. This morning, my truck was pretty well glazed over, while my wife's car had a crust on top of the snow (hadn't cleaned it off yesterday at all). Nuked for a little while earlier today, but accumulation seems to still be on the small side, while roads have been interesting. I'm hoping the mix was a bit more snow on the hill and that we get some more tonight before things get brutally cold and lock up.

[crank54]

Skinned a lap at Spruce - definitely hit some rocks but fun to be out nonetheless.

[HankScorpio]

Nice skin up Mt. Ellen this morning. A wee bit of crust in spots but still found some nice turns.


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[Boreas]

Mix of man and natural Sat down to enjoy the slurped chowder


.

Skiing is fun!

[Boreas]

Also nice shots Ayo.

[danmelon]

Barely touched bottom in the northern greens this am. About 10 to 12 of dense pow on a decent base.

I suck at photos:


Heck of a day 1 I’ll say!

[mattyTru]

Shredded Cock's and then Bolton for a few laps today... upper mountain was really solid. Some upper shin turns for sure!

[MyNameIsAugustWest]

Mount Snow opening tomorrow and Bromley on Saturday. Hopefully spread the crowds out a bit. Mt. Snow indicated they plan to open the North Face starting tomorrow. Now that it's on the Epic Pass, I may have to check it out this weekend.

[cat in january]

No photos from yesterday at Jay. First few runs punched through rust layer to mowed grass got better. Will be up again today cheers

[Vt-Freeheel]

Mix of man and natural. Sat down to enjoy the slurped chowder


.


Skiing is fun!

Skiing is Fun! Good to see you are able to get after it.


A balmy 5` and breezy here, ground under the snow is not frozen so melting from the bottom up. Nice dense base.

[east or bust]

^ dafuq?!

one year outta the Burg and now this. looks like the bigger red patch in south central PA might line up with Whitetail. if they actually got 20-30” of dense pow that would ski pretty nice

[scharny]

Skiing is Fun! Good to see you are able to get after it.


A balmy 5` and breezy here, ground under the snow is not frozen so melting from the bottom up. Nice dense base.

I see what you did there.

[akokskis]

^ dafuq?!

one year outta the Burg and now this. looks like the bigger red patch in south central PA might line up with Whitetail. if they actually got 20-30” of dense pow that would ski pretty nice

Details are important

[east or bust]

damn you VTF lol

[ex-powderbroker]

as of 13 minutes ago, Sugarbush is Ikonic:

https://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...Resort-Vermont

[snowday]

as of 13 minutes ago, Sugarbush is Ikonic:

https://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...Resort-Vermont

Win just sent a long email out:
Dear Sugarbush Community,

For me, today is a bit like walking my daughter down the aisle at her wedding. I have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat knowing that I am about to give away someone I have raised and loved. Looking down the aisle, however, I am delighted to see someone waiting who will also love, respect, and care for her as I have done. While things will not be the same, I am excited about this next stage of our lives. And, I am comforted knowing that we are not saying goodbye!

Today Summit Ventures NE LLC is announcing that it has agreed to sell the majority of its Sugarbush assets to Alterra Mountain Company. They currently own 14 very special destinations in North America and partner with an additional 27 around the world on their Ikon Pass. The transaction is expected to close in early January 2020 subject to regulatory approvals.

I have been asked to remain as president for as long as I wish in order to facilitate a smooth transition, to maintain our commitment to our guests and to the entire Sugarbush community, and to prepare the next generation of leaders to succeed me when I decide to move on to a third career. More importantly, Alterra Mountain Company wants our entire Sugarbush team to remain in place. They are buying a place they believe is working well and do not have plans to change our mission, our values, our brand, our culture, or our team. They recognize our commitment to the Mad River Valley community and want that to continue as well.

Eighteen years ago, my family and three others purchased Sugarbush from the American Skiing Company with the intention of restoring Sugarbush to what it was when founded by the Gadd, Murphy, and Estin families in 1958. Thanks to support from our loyal guests, the community here in the Mad River Valley and the terrific team here at Sugarbush, we have turned an unprofitable and deteriorating resort into one that is profitable and respected throughout the industry. We are proud to have recently celebrated our 60th anniversary and to have continued to cultivate a spirit of lifelong adventure and camaraderie among our guests, staff, and community.

Over the years of our ownership, we have turned down several offers to sell Sugarbush and have prided ourselves on being independently owned and operated. However, recent events in the ski industry and the challenge of rising costs posed both by climate change and by doing business in Vermont have convinced me that a new owner is needed to ensure a sustainable future for Sugarbush. Until now I had not laid out a succession plan and identified who would be the best future custodian of Sugarbush. Most importantly, I needed to find someone who would care for Sugarbush as we have and our entire Sugarbush community would expect. I have found such an owner in Alterra Mountain Company.

The multi-resort season pass has changed the landscape. It will be increasingly difficult for ski areas like Sugarbush to compete alone against Vail Resorts, Alterra Mountain Company, and others like POWDR and Boyne Resorts. The recent acquisition of Peak Resorts by Vail was the tipping point in my decision.

Because of the ongoing challenges associated with climate change and stronger competition, the amount of capital required to remain sustainable will be far greater in the years ahead. In my opinion, Sugarbush will be better able to make these necessary investments as a member of the Alterra Mountain Company family. While there are many wonderful features about Vermont, the cost of doing business here is greater than in many other states. Being able to find efficiencies by being part of a larger organization in things such as purchasing power or our employees being part of a larger health insurance pool or having more affordable workers’ compensation options were other considerations in my decision.

Many of us have gotten to know the leadership team at Alterra Mountain Company over the past few years, and we had a very good experience partnering with their Ikon Pass last winter. Their philosophy is one of building a family of iconic destinations, each with their own unique brands, cultures, and identities that operate within unique communities. It is important to note that one of their major shareholders, Henry Crown & Company of Chicago, has owned Aspen- Snowmass for decades, and brings an important family perspective to Alterra Mountain Company. They are also focused on the long-term. Having spoken with the Crown family I am confident that their involvement will be valuable in helping to maintain the independent-minded culture of each destinations within the Alterra Mountain Company family. And, importantly all whom we have met at Alterra Mountain Company team are passionate skiers or riders like us here at Sugarbush.

For winter 19/20, all current Sugarbush Resort products and local passes will be honored as usual as our Golf and Health & Recreation Center passes. Ikon Pass access will not change with 7-day access on the Ikon Pass and 5-Day access on the Ikon Base Pass. We also remain part of the Mountain Collective. Any pass product changes will be considered after we close in early January 2020 and before spring pass sales begin.

I never thought I would become an employee again, but I am excited to do so because I believe in Alterra Mountain Company and its mission, I believe in our Sugarbush team, I love our community, and I am bullish about our future together. And, of course, my family’s commitment to the Mad River Valley will remain as strong as ever. I can assure you that I have no plans to retire to a gated golf community in Florida and still plan to ski at least 100 days this season and in many more years to come.

On Wednesday, November 20th we will have an open forum for the Sugarbush community where I and our executive team will be joined by members of the leadership team from Alterra Mountain Company to speak about our transaction, share more about Alterra Mountain Company and our future plans and answer any and all questions. This will begin at 5pm in the Gate House Lodge and all are welcome. We also plan to record the forum so that those unable to attend may view and hear our discussion later. As always, I am available by email (wsmith@sugarbush.com), phone, or in person to answer any questions you might have.

I am looking forward to riding the first chair up the mountain on Saturday, November 23 (or possibly November 22 for a passholder appreciation day), successfully forerunning Pond Skimming in the spring, skiing at least 100 days this winter, and having a final run with many of you on Sunday, May 3. In the meantime, it is feeling like winter, we are staffing-up, our snowmakers have been hard at work this past week, and Mother Nature has already delivered some nice snow.

I remain enthusiastic about the future of Sugarbush and look forward to seeing you on the slopes very soon.

Win

[Boosh]

as of 13 minutes ago, Sugarbush is Ikonic:

https://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...Resort-Vermont

wonder how this will effect the sale of Jay down the line...

[jhyatt]

as of 13 minutes ago, Sugarbush is Ikonic:

https://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...Resort-Vermont

Bummer that the Ikon will remain limited

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[From_the_NEK]

Whoa. Didn't see that coming. I didn't even realize that Sugarbush was even remotely on the market.

And that is the big question. Where does that leave Jay and Burke as far as potential buyers.

[m2711c]

The $129 Boomer midweek seasons pass will be gone. Enjoy it this year while you can.

[jhyatt]

Whoa. Didn't see that coming. I didn't even realize that Sugarbush was even remotely on the market.

And that is the big question. Where does that leave Jay and Burke as far as potential buyers.

I had heard that alterra people had been coming in and counting the rental skis, etc for a while
My impression is that the bush is always crowded on weekends with folks with money. Ski terrain is great but people come for the valley too

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